Publication date: 10 December 2025
What is a Gambling License? It is an official permit issued by a state regulatory authority for conducting business in the gambling industry. Obtaining a license is a fundamental requirement for the legal operation of an online casino, bookmaker, poker room, as well as for affiliates and CPA partners who promote them. This document confirms the business’s legitimacy, guarantees fair play, and protects players’ rights.
Entering the international iGaming market begins with choosing the right jurisdiction. In this expert guide from 3S.INFO, we will analyze in detail why a gambling license is needed, what types of permits exist for operators and partners, how to choose a suitable jurisdiction, and what the key benefits of legal operation are. This is your ultimate guide to business legalization in the gambling industry.
The information in this guide is based on an analysis of regulations as of 2025-2026. Requirements may change. To obtain up-to-date information and professional support, always consult official sources of regulators.
Having a license gives your business not only legality but also real growth advantages.
| Benefit | Practical Implications |
| Legality and Security | Protection against blocks, lawsuits, and criminal liability. The ability to legally enter into contracts with software providers and payment systems. |
| Trust of Players and Partners | A license is the primary marker of reliability. It increases conversion, reduces churn, and facilitates attracting traffic from affiliates. |
| Access to Quality Resources | Ability to integrate software from market leaders (NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Evolution Gaming) and connect reliable payment gateways. |
| Access to New Markets | Legal presence in specific countries and regions, access to advertising channels (Google, social networks) prohibited for unlicensed sites. |
| Work with Affiliates | The ability to legally attract traffic through CPA partners and affiliate networks, which is critically important for scaling. |
Regulatory requirements vary depending on the business model.
This is a permit for a company directly accepting bets or conducting gambling activities.
A separate and critically important type of permit for partners.
It’s important to understand that such a license is not required in most countries worldwide. It becomes mandatory only in those jurisdictions where the regulator strictly controls the market and requires the identification of all operator partners (including affiliates). It certifies that the partner works only with licensed brands, complies with responsible gaming rules, and local advertising laws.
A license becomes necessary if you combine several conditions:
If several points apply (especially 2, 3, or 4), you will almost certainly need registration or a license.
Romania (Class II Licence), Greece (registration with HGC), a number of U.S. states (e.g., New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan), where a vendor license is required. In other major markets, such as the UK, Spain, or Malta, a separate license for an affiliate is not needed, but strict advertising rules apply.
A complete guide to affiliate licenses, including a step-by-step guide on obtaining them in different countries, document requirements, and an up-to-date list of jurisdictions, can be found in our dedicated article: What is an Affiliate License?
The choice depends on the target audience, budget, and business model. Below are key options with a brief description.
| Country / Jurisdiction | Who it suits / Key Features | Financial Requirements and Taxes | Link to Detailed Review |
| Curacao | For startups, international projects. Fast acquisition (2–4 weeks), low requirements. Cannot operate in the USA, France, Netherlands. | Cost: ~ €20-25k for a sub-license. Low taxation. | Gambling License Curacao |
| Anjouan | For startups, projects for Asia, Africa, Latin America. Fast process (1–1.5 months), single license for different types of activities. | Initial fee: $30-35k. Annual renewal: $15-20k. Low taxes. | Gambling License Anjouan |
| Poland | For bookmakers focused on the Eastern European market. Sports betting only (online casino is a state monopoly). Requires a Polish legal entity and office. | High costs: guarantee deposit 480k PLN, turnover tax 12%, total expenses from 600k PLN. | Online Betting License Poland |
| Germany | For operators ready for strict regulation of the large EU market. Strict limits (€1 bet, €1000/month deposit), casino bonus ban. | Registration fee: €2.5-5k. License fee: up to €50k. Tax: 5.3% of GGR. Own capital: €5-10m. | Gambling License Germany |
| Estonia | For operators targeting the EU. Prestigious license without expiration. Requires an Estonian language interface. | High share capital: €1m for a casino. State duty: €51,200. | Gambling License Estonia |
| Slovakia | For operators in the EU. Servers must be located in Slovakia, domain .sk. Requires a local representative office. | Share capital for an online casino: €1.7m. Fine for operating without a license: up to €1m. | Gambling License Slovakia |
| Slovenia | For operators ready for significant investment in the EU. Quota: no more than 45 licenses for gambling halls. | Minimum share capital: €416,000. Bank guarantee: 50% of this amount. | Gambling License Slovenia |
| Canada (Ontario) | For targeted entry into the regulated Canadian market. Operation only in Ontario province. Mandatory integration with iGaming Ontario. | Exact fee and tax amounts are set by the AGCO regulator depending on license type and turnover. | Gambling License Canada |
| Argentina | For entering the largest Latin American market. Decentralized regulation (license in each province). | Registration fee: $50-150k. Tax on GGR: 5-20%. Total costs: $200-500k (approximately). | Gambling License Argentina |
| Australia | For bookmakers focused on betting (online casinos are prohibited). Regulation at the state level, license in each. | Registration fee: 5-20k AUD. Annual fee: 10-100k+ AUD. Tax (POCT): 10-20% of GGR. | Gambling License Australia |
| Russia | For offline casinos only in 4 special gambling zones. Not applicable for online operators. | State duty: 10k RUB. Net assets: at least 600m RUB. High excise taxes on tables and slots. | Gambling License for a Casino in Russia |
Despite differences, regulators present a common set of strict requirements:
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A gambling license is an official state permit that is essential for operating legally. It’s not just a formality. Without this license, you cannot legally run an online casino or sportsbook, accept payments from players, sign contracts with reputable software providers, or advertise on major platforms like Google. Most importantly, it provides the trust and security that players and business partners require, protecting you from legal repercussions such as website blocks, heavy fines, and potential criminal charges.
You obtain a license in a specific country or jurisdiction, known for its gambling regulations, such as Curacao, Malta, or Germany. The difficulty varies significantly. For example, getting a license in Curacao is relatively straightforward and fast, often taking just a few weeks with minimal requirements. In contrast, securing a license for a strictly regulated market like Germany is a complex, lengthy, and expensive process involving detailed checks on your company’s finances, ownership, and technical systems. The basic steps always involve choosing a jurisdiction, registering a local company, preparing a comprehensive application dossier, and undergoing a review by the regulator, a process best handled with expert legal support.
The total cost of a gambling license consists of several components: initial government application fees, annual license renewal fees, taxes on your revenue (like a percentage of GGR), and the substantial cost of professional services from lawyers and compliance experts. In affordable jurisdictions like Curacao or Anjouan, the total first-year cost might start from around 25,000 – 35,000 euros. For a major regulated market like Germany or Ontario, Canada, you must budget for hundreds of thousands of euros due to high license fees, significant guarantee deposits, and considerable legal expenses.
In most countries, you do not need a separate license to work as an affiliate promoting online casinos; a standard partnership agreement with the operator is sufficient. However, this rule has critical exceptions. In several strictly regulated jurisdictions, including Romania, Greece, and certain states in the USA, local law requires affiliates to obtain a specific affiliate license or official registration. Without this license, you cannot legally receive commissions from operators in that region, and your advertising campaigns on platforms like Google Ads will be blocked. It is vital to check the specific regulations of the country whose traffic you are targeting.
A gambling license defines both your role in the industry and your operational geography. It allows you to work legally as an operator, meaning you can own and run an online casino or sportsbook for players in approved countries. Alternatively, it can authorize you to work as a licensed partner or affiliate, legally promoting gambling brands for a commission. The specific list of countries where you are allowed to operate is a core condition of your license. Some licenses, like from Curacao, offer near-global coverage with a few exclusions, while others, like a license for Ontario, Canada, permit you to operate only within that single province.
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