Gibraltar Online Casinos

Q: How do casinos obtain a Gibraltar license?

The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority (GRA) previously handled gaming licenses. However, these duties have moved to the Gambling Division of the Government of Gibraltar. Therefore, applicants should email the Gambling Division at gamblinglicensing@gibraltar.gov.gi. The Gambling Division will fill operators in on the requirements for obtaining approval. Basic requirements include: Financial documents that prove solvency. IDs for all owners and board members. Records on key personnel. Documents that show an ability to pay any expected winnings.

Q: Why are Gibraltar licenses so expensive?

Gibraltar is one of the world’s most reputable online gaming jurisdictions. It charges a premium for running an outstanding licensing body. This regulatory body excels at only approving legitimate operators and protecting problem gamblers. Aside from its premium jurisdiction, Gibraltar also features high license fees to counteract the low tax rate. Online casinos only need to cover a 1% tax on their revenue up to a maximum of £425,000 annually.

Q: Can Gibraltar casinos serve the UK?

Gibraltar is technically part of the UK. However, the UK’s gambling jurisdiction falls under the UKGC’s umbrella. The GBGA took exception to the 2014 amendments to the Gambling Act. These updates force operators to obtain a UKGC license if they want to serve the United Kingdom. The EU ultimately determined that the UK didn’t violate any anti-competition laws with the amendments. Therefore, Gibraltar gaming sites need a separate license to provide games to British customers.

Q: Does the Gambling Division handle player-casino disputes?

The Gambling Division of the Government of Gibraltar advises operators and players to first settle matters between themselves. If this route doesn’t produce a resolution, gamblers can contact the Gambling Division directly. This office investigates complaints that are less than two years old. It also requires that players be respectful during the process and when a resolution is offered.

Q: Are Gibraltar online casinos safe?

This jurisdiction’s gaming sites are among the safest in the industry. They undergo third-party testing to prove that their games are fair. Gibraltar sites also separate player deposits from operational funds and submit to financial audits. These aspects ensure that Gibraltar casinos are financially solvent and can repay customers at any moment.

Q: What is whitelisting?

This licensing body is one of the few to have achieved whitelisting, which refers to the UKGC’s process of determining which jurisdictions and operators can advertise in the UK.

Home / Licenses / Gibraltar

Updated: 07/02/2023

Gibraltar is a tiny island off the coast of Spain. However, this small British territory houses one of the world’s largest gaming industries.

Regulated by the Gambling Division of the Government of Gibraltar, this jurisdiction oversees hundreds of internet casinos and other gambling sites. The following guide covers the Gambling Division’s licensing process and the reputation of Gibraltar online casinos.

Requirements for obtaining a Gibraltar license

Gibraltar’s Gambling Division features strict requirements for obtaining a license. It heavily scrutinizes all applicants to ensure that only high-quality gambling sites operate from its market.

This jurisdiction looks at several important criteria when judging applicants. The board wants to ensure that operators are financially solvent, boast experience, and aren’t hiding a scandalous past.

Applicants that pass this tough vetting process must pay significant fees. Here are the annual costs behind each type of remote license:

Remote Gaming B2C Operator (best for online casinos) – £100,000
Remote Betting B2C Operator – £100,000
Other Remote B2C Gambling Products – £100,000
Non-Remote B2C Gaming Operator (land-based casinos) – £100,000
Non-Remote B2C Betting Operator (land-based bookmaking) – £100,000
Gambling B2B Support Services – £85,000

These licensing fees are among the highest in any jurisdiction worldwide. However, the Gambling Division partially makes up for the expensive costs by maintaining a low tax rate.

Operators only pay a 1% tax on annual income up to a maximum of £425,000. The tax cap helps make Gibraltar a favorite among large operators that earn significant revenue.

What’s expected of Gibraltar online casinos?

Gibraltar-based casinos must adhere to lofty standards regarding finances, anti-money laundering practices, and more.

Clean record

The Gambling Division of the Government of Gibraltar has maintained a solid reputation by only approving good actors. Therefore, applicants and current licensees need to maintain a clean record that’s void of legal troubles and scandals.

Game testing

Gibraltar online casinos must regularly obtain testing to ensure that their games and random number generators (RNGs) are fair. The Gambling Division’s approved testing labs include:

BMM Testlabs
eCOGRA
Enex TestLabs
Gaming Associates
Gaming Laboratories International
iTech Labs
Quinel M. Ltd
SIQ Ljubjana
Trisigma B.V.

Commitment to anti-money laundering laws

Like any prestigious gaming jurisdiction, Gibraltar wants to prevent crooked companies from laundering money through its market. The Gambling Division features a set of anti-money-laundering measures on its website.

Responsible advertising

Gaming sites in this market need to advertise responsibly. Their ads must be truthful about the odds of winning and cannot be directed at minors.

Prompt payments

Operators need to maintain adequate funding so that they can pay out prizes and winnings of any size. Additionally, they should process cashout requests in a timely manner.

Regular audits

Internet casinos must undergo regular audits of their finances and operational funds. These audits assure the Gambling Division that each operator is solvent and able to honor all payouts and cashouts.

Benefits of a Gibraltar casino license

Gibraltar may not be the cheapest jurisdiction in terms of licensing fees. However, operators gain several benefits by paying the hefty application costs and surviving the vetting process.

Prestigious licensing

The Gamgling Division doesn’t issue licenses to just anybody—it works to ensure that only quality casinos obtain approval. Gaming sites that feature the regulatory authority’s seal instill trust in gamblers.

Whitelisted jurisdiction

Gibraltar’s online gaming industry was reorganized and validated through the UK’s Gambling Act of 2005. Unsurprisingly, this jurisdiction has achieved whitelisting from the UK Gambling Commission.

Whitelisting refers to a small list of jurisdictions that maintain advertising privileges in the UK. Online casinos with Gibraltar licenses can legally advertise to the British market.

Low tax rate

The £100,000 annual fee for B2C licenses isn’t cheap. However, approved operators benefit on the backend through a 1% tax rate.

Further, annual taxes are capped at £425,000. Any casino that earns over £42.5 million per year pays less than the 1% rate.

The Gambling Division’s Functions

The Gambling Division maintains several key responsibilities, including:

Vetting applicants and approving worthy operators.
Offering guidance to applicants when needed.
Collecting licensing fees and taxes.
Ensuring that operators adhere to the division’s strict requirements.
Protecting problem gamblers and promoting responsible advertising.
Barring criminals and unscrupulous operators from entering this market.

The Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association (GBGA) also plays a role in this jurisdiction. This trade association looks out for local gambling sites on a global basis.

In 2013, for example, it sought a judicial rule of the UK’s Gambling Act of 2014 (amendments to the Gambling Act of 2005).

These updates require that offshore operators—including even whitelisted ones—obtain a UKGC license to serve British customers. They also need to pay a 15% tax on gross profits earned through the UK.

The GBGA argued that operators from reputable jurisdictions should still maintain access to British customers. It appealed to the European Union, claiming that the Gambling Act of 2014 is unlawful.

It ultimately failed to sway the EU. However, this episode shows how committed the GBGA is to its gaming industry and operators.

Gibraltar’s reputation as a regulator

The Gambling Division attracts many reputable casino brands. Noteworthy online casinos in this market include:

888casino
Bet365
Betfred
BetVictor
Gala
Ladbrokes
Mansion Casino
William Hill
Unibet

Gibraltar draws big-time brands because it’s a prestigious licensing jurisdiction. Gaming sites are willing to pay more in licensing fees to be associated with this regulator.

This British territory is a tough jurisdiction. It doesn’t approve just any applicant, and it works to ensure that licensees follow all standards.

Can you trust Gibraltar casinos?

Gibraltar-licensed gaming sites are among the most trustworthy in the industry. They have passed scrutiny from the Gambling Division and proven themselves in the eyes of a tough regulator.

These casinos must commit to the following measures to promote a safe gaming environment:

Seek out third-party testing for games.
Submit to regular financial audits.
Make prompt payments.
Maintain strong anti-money-laundering policies.
Advertise responsibly.
Watch for potential problem gamblers.

Players should always perform research and read reviews on internet casinos before depositing. However, they can trust sites from this jurisdiction more than most others.