Gibraltar Gambling Commission: Top Casinos with The License

Online casinos licensed in Gibraltar are subjected to strict procedures and solid regulations. As a result, Gibraltar-regulated casinos are highly respected in the industry. Millions of players trust them to offer fair, safe, and transparent gambling services.

In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about the Gambling Commission of Gibraltar. You will discover how it regulates casinos, the kind of licenses it offers, and the benefits of playing at casinos regulated in the jurisdiction. If you’re interested in playing at Gibraltar-licensed casinos, you will also find the best ones here on this platform. Join us as we explore the regulated gambling market of Gibraltar.

Overview of the Gambling Commission

Although Gibraltar has been licensing gambling brands since 1998, the rules and policies have changed over the years. Today, all gambling operations in Gibraltar must be licensed under the Gambling Act 2005. Online gambling licenses are issued by the Licensing Authority and the Gambling Commissioner is responsible for ensuring that licensees function in accordance.

In the past, the Authority only issued licenses to brands that have been licensed in other jurisdictions. Today, well-funded start-ups and new brands are now considered for licenses. However, they must be willing to operate from Gibraltar.

The Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner and the team are generally called the Gibraltar Gambling Commission (GGC). Both the Licensing Authority and GGC’s key principle is to keep crime out of gambling. Here are the three main objectives:

• To ensure that brands or people with criminal connections or criminal history do not own or operate gambling businesses
• To make sure potential licensees meet the propriety and fitness standards
• To ensure that operators are ready to meet acceptable anti-money laundering standards and put in place appropriate measures to fight money laundering and proliferation financing

Types of Licenses Issued by the GGC

There are six types of licenses issued by the Gibraltar’s gaming authority. The type of license acquired depends on the services the operator wishes to run. Here are the license types:

• Remote Gaming B2C Operators (for online casino sites)
• Remote Betting B2C Operator (online sportsbooks)
• Other Remote B2C Gambling Products (online betting intermediaries)
• Gambling B2B Support Services (suitable for casino software providers)
• Non-Remote B2C Gaming Operator (for land-based casinos)
• Non-Remote B2C Betting Operator (for landbased bookmakers)

Operators can choose to hold more than one license if they offer multiple services.

The Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association

Apart from the Licensing Authority for the jurisdiction, there’s also the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association (GBGA). This is a trade association that represents all brands with an online gambling license from Gibraltar. The association was founded in 2005 to speak on behalf of all licensees regarding legal and regulatory matters.

Although the GBGA is not involved in licensing or regulating casinos, it also helps to keep operators in the jurisdiction functioning up to standard. Many reputable casino sites licensed in Gibraltar are a part of the association. You will find the association’s logo at the footer of such casino websites.

Reliability and Popularity of the Gibraltar Gambling Commission

Having been around for several years, the GGC is highly respected and trusted in the industry. Casino sites regulated in Gibraltar are known for their high player protection and safety standards. Gibraltar’s Gambling Act 2005 was modeled after the UK’s Gambling Act 2005, so the regulatory system is similar to that of the UK.

When it comes to popularity, the GGC cannot be compared to the UKGC, MGA, or Curacao eGaming. However, many top global gambling companies are licensed in Gibraltar. Therefore, the authority is fairly popular among players.

Benefits of Playing at Casinos Licensed by the GGC

When you play at online casinos with a license from the jurisdiction, you can expect to enjoy your gambling experience. Here, we list some of the specific advantages of playing at gambling sites licensed in Gibraltar

• Many Top Global Brands with the License: Due to the high cost of license and renewal, casinos regulated in the jurisdiction are owned by established gambling brands. These sites are known for their excellent services and safety. That means you can enjoy playing at the sites.
• Wide Range of Games: Lots of top software providers like Evolution, Play’N GO, IGT, and Pragmatic Play are licensed in the jurisdiction. Therefore, casinos with the Gibraltar license offer high-quality games across different categories.
• Solid Player Protection Measures: The Gambling Commissioner has strict policies for the protection of players’ data and funds. Licensed gambling sites are also required to offer enough responsible gambling tools for players to use.
• Casinos are Available in Many Countries: Gibraltar as a British Overseas Territory only has about 33,000 residents which makes it a small market for gambling. Hence, its licenses are actually meant for casinos to operate in other gambling markets. Casinos regulated there can operate in various countries, as long as the legislations permit. It’s also easy for Gibraltar casinos to attract UK players.
• Offers Player Casino Mediation: The Gambling Commissioner takes casino disputes seriously and offers players guidelines to follow. You can easily reach the authority at any time there’s an unresolved issue.
• Easy to Verify Gibraltar Casinos: You can easily check the list of approved brands on the Gibraltar Government website to verify if a casino is licensed in the jurisdiction. You’ll also find the HM Government of Gibraltar logo at the bottom of casinos with the license.

The Process of Obtaining a Gibraltar Online Casino License

Any operator that wants to get the Gibraltar gambling license must first consider the cost. You’ll need to pay a one-time application fee of £10,000 after which you must pay a yearly fee, depending on your license. The yearly fee is £100,000 for all types of licenses, except the Gambling B2B Support Services which is £85,000.

Apart from the costs, there are also other criteria. The Gibraltar Gambling Commission requires applying operators to have a detailed and clear business plan, with a reasonable explanation of their funding source. Applicants must also meet necessary anti-money laundering standards and must not have a crime history. They will have to provide several identification documents and other details.

After several background checks carried out by the Gibraltar Licensing Authority, online casino brands that meet the requirements are awarded the license.

Here are the steps to take to get a casino license from the Gibraltar Gambling Commission:

1. Register your brand in the jurisdiction and assign a company representative
2. Submit your business plan. It must include your goals, the types of gambling services you wish to offer, accepted payment methods, and projections for the next three years.
3. Provide your business equipment for inspection and approval
4. Provide proof that your products and services are certified by third-party auditors
5. Pay the application fee

Regulatory Oversight and Players’ Protection at the GGC

As mentioned previously, the Gibraltar Gambling Commission has stringent regulations to ensure security, fairness, and transparency at licensed casinos. All online casinos regulated in Gibraltar are subject to several compliance measures, including assessments and audits. They are also required to have strict Anti-Money laundering policies, which include KYC procedures to prevent fraud and underage betting.

Furthermore, casino sites with the GGC license must also be transparent and honest with their advertising. Their adverts must not target kids or vulnerable individuals. Also, players' funds must be kept separate from the company’s operation funds. This is done to prevent the inability to pay if the casino experiences any financial challenges.

What’s more, all casinos are required to have their software tested for safety and randomness. The Gibraltar Licensing Authority has approved 12 auditors for their casinos. These include eCOGRA, iTech Labs, GLI, BMM, Quinel, and Gaming Associates.

Dispute Resolution at the GGC

All casino sites licensed in Gibraltar are required to have effective customer support channels to assist their players. However, if you do not resolve with the operator, you can make a complaint to the Gibraltar Gambling Commission.

The gaming authority responds to various issues, from unfair games to software issues, documents, or funds. Before you reach the commission, you are advised to first read the Gambling Commissioner’s advice to players with complaints. After that, you have to fill out the complaints form and contact the Gibraltar Gambling Commission through the email: gccomplaints@gibraltar.gov.gi.

Drawbacks of Playing at Online Casinos Regulated in Gibraltar

For players, there isn’t really any disadvantage to playing at gambling sites licensed in the jurisdiction. However, due to the cost of licensing, there aren’t so many casinos with the license. Only a few casinos hold the license.

For operators, the licensing cost and difficult application process can be a drawback. That’s why only big gambling establishments have been able to meet the requirements. As of March 2023, only 47 companies with numerous gambling brands are licensed in Gibraltar.

Conclusion

Due to the high standards of the regulator, players can enjoy excellent services in a safe and secure online environment. In addition to their wide range of games, casinos licensed in Gibraltar also offer better bonuses compared to those offered at UKGC casinos.

Furthermore, GGC-licensed casinos are open to various countries where gambling online is permitted. This ensures millions of players can access online casino games from Gibraltar gambling sites.

Responsible gambling is also taken seriously in Gibraltar, so expect to find numerous restriction tools available in your account. If you ever face difficulties playing at the casino, you will find a supportive customer support team to help you. In case of disputes with the casino, the GGC is also available to attend to your queries.

More interesting is that there are hundreds of gambling sites hosted by the 45+ brands licensed in the jurisdiction. That means you won’t find it difficult to locate a site to play. These sites are also mobile-friendly, so you can enjoy gambling on the go.

The best part? Our team of analysts has identified the best Gibraltar-licensed casinos and listed them on this platform. As a result, you won’t have to go through the stress of finding a good site to play at.

We wish you the best as you try your luck at the finest Gibraltar gambling sites. Never forget to focus on entertaining yourself and play with only funds you can afford to lose.