How to Verify a Bookmaker's Licence in Two Minutes

A logo is not a licence

Every dodgy betting site in the world can copy a regulator’s logo and paste it in the footer. The logo means nothing on its own. What matters is whether the operator appears on the regulator’s own public register — a database you can search yourself, for free, in a couple of minutes. Learning to do this is the best fraud protection a bettor has.

The two-minute check

1. Find the claimed licence. Scroll to the site’s footer or “about” page. Reputable operators state which regulator licenses them and often show a licence number.
2. Go to the regulator directly. Do not click the operator’s own badge — open the regulator’s website yourself by typing its address or searching for it. This avoids fake “verification” pages.
3. Search the public register. Enter the operator’s company or brand name, or the licence number, and confirm the record exists and is active.
4. Match the details. Check the licensed company name matches who is actually taking your money, and that the licence covers the products (sports betting) and the customers (your country) you expect.

Where the main registers live

• UK — Gambling Commission: a searchable public register of licensed operators and the activities they are permitted to offer.
• Malta — MGA: an online licence-verification tool listing authorised operators.
• Other jurisdictions (for example provincial regulators in South Africa, or national gaming authorities elsewhere) publish their own licensee lists.

Our reviews note the licence each operator we cover holds, and our operator pages link to the relevant regulator so you can verify for yourself. We would rather you check than take our word for it.

Red flags that should stop you

• No named regulator at all, or only vague claims of being “certified” or “approved.”
• A licence that does not cover your country. Some operators are licensed somewhere but not permitted to serve where you live.
• A mismatch between the company on the licence and the entity processing payments.
• Pressure and urgency — big, time-limited bonuses paired with weak licensing information.
• Promises of anonymity with no identity checks, which usually signals weak regulatory standing.

Why it is worth the effort

A licence is what gives you recourse. If a licensed operator refuses a fair withdrawal or treats you unfairly, there is a regulator and a complaints process behind it. With an unlicensed site, there is often nothing and no one. Two minutes of checking is cheap insurance.

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18+. We only feature licensed operators, but you should always verify for yourself. We never give tips. If betting is causing harm, visit responsible gambling.