There is no single global gambling licence. A site may be licensed somewhere and still be unavailable—or unlawful—for a reader elsewhere.

1. Your local legal position

Check the law and minimum age that apply where you are physically located. Do not rely only on an operator accepting registration or payment.

2. The regulator’s public register

Search for the operating company, licence number, authorised domains, current status and permitted products. Look for sanctions, suspensions or warnings published by the regulator.

3. Player-fund and withdrawal rules

Regimes differ on segregation of funds, insolvency protection, identity checks, affordability reviews, withdrawal processing and dispute handling. Understand what protection actually exists.

4. Advertising and bonus restrictions

Markets can restrict bonus design, influencer marketing, direct messages, targeting, urgency language and use of credit. Published content should reflect the rules of the intended audience.

5. Responsible-play requirements

Check required limit tools, cooling-off, self-exclusion, reality checks and intervention rules. Availability of a button is not the same as effective enforcement.

6. Complaints and alternative dispute resolution

Record the operator’s complaints process, response time and independent escalation route before depositing. A credible process identifies who makes the final decision.

A 60-second verification sequence

1. Find the legal company and licence number.
2. Match the domain in the regulator’s register.
3. Confirm local availability and age.
4. Read withdrawal and complaint rules.
5. Locate limits and self-exclusion before play.