How to distinguish a site with a fake license from a real one

1. Why the problem of fake licenses is relevant

Some illegal casinos specify fictional or fake licenses to give the appearance of legality. This allows them to attract players, but deprives the latter of the protection of the regulator. For Australian users, recognizing fake licenses is key to playing it safe.

2. The main signs of a fake license

The license is specified, but there is no direct reference to the regulator.
The license number is indicated, which is not in the official register.
The regulator logo is blurred or incorrectly designed.
The license was allegedly issued by a non-existent body.
License validity period is not specified or is not explicitly valid.

3. How to verify the authenticity of a license

3. 1. Identify the regulator

On the casino website, the name of the licensing authority must be indicated, for example:
  • MGA (Malta Gaming Authority)
  • UKGC (UK Gambling Commission)
  • NTRC (Northern Territory Racing Commission)
  • Curacao eGaming

3. 2. Find your license number

It must be in the format accepted by the regulator (e.g. MGA/B2C/XXXX/20XX).

3. 3. Check on the official website of the regulator

Go to Licensee Register or Licensed Operators.
Enter your casino number or name.
Check the legal name of the company, date of issue and status.

3. 4. Compare with casino website

The name of the operator in the registry must match what is indicated in the basement of the site.
If there are no matches, the license is fake or does not belong to this casino.

4. Frequent license forgery schemes

Use another operator's license number.
Placement of a screenshot of a real license, but with replaced data.
Fake sites of "regulators" created to simulate verification.

5. Additional verification measures

Search for the name of the casino in the news of the regulator - warnings about violators are published there.
Checking the WHOIS date of domain registration - scammers often work with new sites.
Analysis of payment methods - regulated casinos use certified PSPs.

6. Examples of these license verification pages

MGA: [https://www. mga. org. mt/licensee-register/](https://www. mga. org. mt/licensee-register/)
UKGC: [https://register. gamblingcommission. gov. uk/](https://register. gamblingcommission. gov. uk/)
NTRC: [https://www. nt. gov. au/industry/gambling/licensing](https://www. nt. gov. au/industry/gambling/licensing)
Curacao eGaming: [https://www. curacao-egaming. com/](https://www. curacao-egaming. com/)

7. Result

You can distinguish a fake license through checking the number and status in official registers, comparing legal data and analyzing signs of falsification. Regulated casinos always provide direct links to the regulator, and their licenses can be confirmed in open databases.