- If you provide facilities for remote gambling (online or through other means), and advertise to consumers in Britain, you will need a licence from the Gambling Commission. Local licensing.
- More importantly, they usually have no deposit and withdrawal limits. They won’t ask for an ID or driver’s licence either. Lastly, BTC casinos process coin transfers within seconds. Features of Gambling Sites Without Verification Joining gambling sites that don’t ask for ID comes with some well-known as well as some unusual features.
However, obtaining a license does not mean that any country will now welcome a new operator because the legal systems of some countries (almost all of the US states, Poland, France and others) forbid online casino games, in whole or in part. Moreover, local legal regulations may be inconsistent, and a country which had no issues with online casinos before may enact a law that blocks the activity of gambling sites on its soil. For example, until February 2017, Australia was being a favored place for online casinos of all stripes since the Australians were considered to gamble the most, spending about $8 billion a year according to a research made by Australasian Gaming Expo in 2018. This huge amount of money was going to foreign casinos bypassing the local budget. The new legal system, in particular Interactive Gambling Amendment Act 2017, prohibited the work of foreign casinos without a special Australian license, resulting in lots of gambling businesses leaving the country.
A gambling license enhances players’ trust and address concerns about slots “rigged” RTP (Return To Player) percent and non-payment of big winnings. The reason is that a licensed casino regularly has its random numbers generator audited, and a compliance certificate is given based on the results of the examination. Generally, gambling websites have licensing info in a footer, and experienced players at their first visit always scroll down to see the jurisdiction where the site was licensed.
Online casino owners face a difficult choice of a reliable jurisdiction, which provides licenses that are valid in many countries. As of today, the choice is not rich, and gambling business owners undergo licensing in one of the following countries and territories:
Curacao
Operating without a license leaves you open to being shut down and being blacklisted from acquiring an online gambling license in the future Failure to adhere to a particular jurisdiction licensing requirements can have dire consequences including ruined reputation, hefty fines, and even criminal proceedings. Social gaming with no prize, being either money or money’s worth, does not require any Licence, given that it is not regarded as gambling under Federal, State and Territory law.
The advantages of this small Caribbean island are zero percent tax on casino profits, fast licensing process (usually about 1.5-2 months) and low ongoing expenses. A casino owner has to place computing power (servers) in the Curacao territory. Online gambling industry forms a great part of the island’s budget, which is why Curacao has such an appealing tax system.
Kahnawake
Canada is famous for its very tolerant attitude towards gambling in terms of legislation. In 1996, Kahnawake Gaming Commission was created, which, among other things, provides licenses for online casinos. The first annual license fee is $40,000, software inspection costs $15,000 and annual license renewal fee is $10,000.
Malta
Malta Gaming Authority provides two types of licenses (B2B and B2C) for a period of five years. Those operators who obtained a prestigious Maltese license are on the UK Gambling Commission’s ‘white list’, which allows them to offer their services to British players. The operators have to adhere to a number of requirements, such as filing financial statements, ensuring players’ personal data safety and creating a Responsible Gaming Policy.
The licensing procedure is conducted in several stages: the Authority considers an application—this takes 3-4 weeks—and then the casino obtains a temporary license for a period of six months. After that, based on the results of a thorough analysis, a five-year gambling license is given. In accordance with the new taxation rules, which came into effect on January 1, 2018, online casinos with “B2C – Type 1 Gaming Services” license (slots, board games, live games) pay annual taxes of 1.25% if their profit does not exceed €3.000.000, 1% for a profit of up to €4.500.000, 0.85% for a profit of up to €5.000.000, 0.70% for a profit of up to €7.500.000 and 0.55% for a profit of up to €10.000.000.
Gibraltar
In order to get a Gibraltar license, online casino owners have to prove their financial solvency, provide a business plan and be ready to perform transactions (winnings payouts, players’ credit card data processing) exclusively through Gibraltar’s banks. License holders pay 1% of their annual profit, but no less than £85.000.
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Apart from the jurisdictions above, online casino owners can also obtain a license from the UK, Alderney, Macao, Belgium, Denmark, Isle of Man and some other countries. Getting a license will help a gambling operator to work in compliance with laws and regulations, attracting players by complete transparency, financial transactions safety and fairness of the gambling process. Licensing leads to players’ loyalty. A client of a licensed casino is always sure that every reels’ spin, every blackjack deal is always determined by random number generator system where there is no space for any fraud and software manipulation.
The following section includes information and instructions for the following licenses:
- Bingo and/or 1 day Instant Bingo;
- Raffle (includes Quarter Auctions & Games of 50/50);
- Paddle Wheel;
- Paddle with Bingo and/or 1 day Instant Bingo; and
- Instant Bingo “members only” (3 months).
In order to process applications in a timely manner, we must receive completed applications in our office a minimum of five business days prior to the event.
Each organization is permitted 52 Bingos (includes one day Instant Bingos), 12 Raffles, 12 Paddle Wheels, and 4 Members Only Instant Bingos per year. An organization will not be issued more than 1 Bingo or Paddle Wheel per week. Raffles with a cash prize greater than $1,000.00 shall post a bond or an irrevocable letter of credit. Games of 50/50 may be conducted during a meeting of an organization without a license. Otherwise it requires a raffle license.
Cost of Gambling Licenses
- Bingo and/or 1 day Instant Bingo is $5.00 per event.
- Raffle is $10.00 (includes Quarter Auctions & Games of 50/50).
- Paddle Wheel is $10.00
- Paddle with Bingo and/or 1 day Instant Bingo is $10.00
- Instant Bingo “members only” (3 months) is $15.00
All payments received for gambling licenses must be in the form of check or money order made payable to “Harford County”. License application fees are non-refundable nor can credit be given. If you are unsure of amount owed with your application or have any other questions you can call Records at 410-836-5445, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 4 pm.
How to Fill Out an Application for Gambling License
- Download and print the application. Online submissions are not accepted.
- At top of application indicate whether you want the license mailed to you or if the license is to be picked up. We do not make phone call notifications for pick-ups. If you need to check on status of application call 410-836-5445.
- Section I. Please place an “X” next to the license you are requesting. If raffle license is being requested you must provide a list of the items to be raffled.
- Section II. Please place an “X” next to the box that applies to your type of organization.
- Section III. Please fill out date, time and location of event.
- Non Profit ID number – any application submitted without their ID number cannot be processed.
- Complete the bottom section for name and address of organization. Please provide contact phone number should we have any questions regarding the application.
After the Date of Licensed Event
Washington Gambling License
Please return the bottom half of the license within 15 days after the end of the licensed gaming event. Bottom half of license must be completed with gross amount of cash proceeds (#3 (1)) and disposition of those proceeds (#4). This information is required by law and an organization that fails to file a report is not entitled to another license until the latter of one year after the report is due, or the day the report is filed properly. You can mail the report, drop it off at 45 S. Main Street or fax it to 410-893-9266.
For further information on the State and local Gaming Laws please consult Maryland Law through http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/michie/. You will find gambling under Maryland Code, Criminal Law, Titles 12 and 13.
Mail your application and appropriate fees to:
Harford County Sheriff’s Office
Attention: Central Records / Gambling License
P.O. Box 150, 45 South Main Street
Bel Air, MD 21014-0150
Office Telephone: 410-836-5445
(You may bring your completed application to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Monday through Friday, 24 hours per day)
Download your Application Here:
Maryland Criminal Law, Annotated Code Title 13 Subtitle 15 contains the laws for Casino Night Licenses. To obtain a Casino Night License, organizations must fit both of the following criteria:
- Nonprofit under § 501(c)(3) or (19) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
- Has been located in Harford County for at least 3 years prior to applying for the license
To be issued a license, the organization must complete an application, state on the application the purpose for which the proceeds will be used, and pay the fee that the Sheriff determines.
An organization may not hold more than 4 Casino Nights in a calendar year. The Casino Night can only be held between the hours of 4pm and 1am in a structure or at a location that is owned, rented, or leased by the holder of the license. The license is not transferable. A separate application and license are required for each Casino Night event.
Bingo, Instant Bingo, Raffle (to include 50/50) and Paddle Wheel games may be included in the games conducted during the Casino Night, however the Casino Night may not consist exclusively of these games.
The organization may charge only a preset entrance fee for the Casino Night. Participants shall receive tokens for wagering in exchange for the entrance fee. A participant may purchase additional tokens, at a total cost not exceeding 100% of the entrance fee, during the Casino Night.
An organization may not allow cash to be used for wagering.
An organization may not exchange tokens used for wagering for:
- An item of merchandise that is worth more than $10,000;
- Money; or
- An item of merchandise having a value that is different from the fair market retail value of the item of merchandise that was received for the tokens.
An organization may rent or purchase necessary equipment and supplies to conduct the Casino Night but may not enter into a lease or other agreement to share profits from the event.
The Casino Night shall be managed and operated personally by members of the organization conducting the event. A member of the organization may not receive or be paid any of the proceeds from the event for personal use or benefit. A person may not receive a salary, a commission, or compensation of any kind for managing the gaming contest or operating a game played in the gaming contest. A person other than the holder of the license may not receive or be paid any proceeds.
To volunteer as an operator at the Casino Night, an individual must be at least 18 years old. To participate (or play) at a Casino Night, an individual must be at least 21 years old.
After costs incurred conducting the event are deducted, proceeds from the Casino Night shall be used to benefit a charity or to further the purpose of the organization.
Within 30 days after the event, the organization shall submit a financial report that lists all of the receipts and expenditures for the Casino Night event. The report shall contain a full accounting of the proceeds and expenses of the Casino Night along with the name(s), address (es) and social security number(s) of participant(s) declared the winner requiring the issuance of Internal Revenue Service Form W-2G or a substantially equivalent form.
The holder of the license shall keep all financial records of the Casino Night event for at least 2 years. The Sheriff may refuse to issue a license to an applicant who has failed to file a required report from a previous event or is late in filing Federal or State tax returns. An organization found to have violated this section is ineligible to receive a permit for a period of 5 years.
Prizes
Wagering with cash is prohibited by law. The organization must list, in their application, each prize that will be awarded along with the fair market value of that prize. The fair market value of each prize must not exceed $10,000.
Cost of Casino Night License
The cost of a Casino Night License if $125.00. This is a non-refundable fee nor can credit be given.
All payments received must be in the form of check or money order made payable to “Harford County”.The license application fee is non-refundable nor can credit be given. If you have any questions you can call our Records Unit at 410-836-5445, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 4 pm.
How to Fill Out an Application for Casino Night License
Download and print the 4 page application. Online submissions are not accepted.
Page 1
- Complete the Application Date at the top, and then read the information in the box.
- At the bottom of the page, complete the following:
- Organization Name
- Phone Number
- Organization Address & Zip Code
- Mailing Address & Zip Code (If different than physical address)
- NonProfit ID Number
- Statement explaining what the proceeds of the event will be used for
- Event Begin Date and End Date
- Event Location Name
- Event Location Phone Number
- Event Location Address & Zip Code
Page 2 – Certification of the Member
- Read information in the box then complete the following:
- Responsible Member’s Printed Name
- Title within the Organization
- Member’s Daytime and Evening Phone Numbers
- Member’s Address & Zip Code
- Member’s Email Address
- Member’s Signature
- How do you want to receive your license?
Page 3 – Member / Game Operator Information
Members of the organization must conduct and operate all games personally. Members who operate games and/or game tables must be at least 18 years old. The organization must list the name, address, and phone number of each organization member who will be operating a game at the event. The organization must also mark whether or not these persons are 18 or older.
Page 4 – Games to be played
In the top section, the organization must list each game type to be played at the Casino Night. In addition, they must show how many tables of each game type there will be.
For example, organization XYZ is holding a Casino Night. They will have 2 poker tables, 2 blackjack tables and 1 Texas Hold ‘Em table. Under “Card Games”, the organization will list: Poker, Blackjack, Texas Hold ‘Em. Under the “Number of Tables for this Type of Game” the organization will write the number 5.
In the bottom section, the organization will list each prize that will be awarded at the Casino Night along with the fair market value for that prize. The fair market value for each prize must not exceed $10,000. Cash prizes are prohibited by law.
After the Date of Licensed Event
The organization is responsible for keeping a full accounting of the proceeds and expenses of the Casino Night event. Within 30 days of the Casino Night, the organization is required by law to complete and submit to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office the Casino Night Report.
The Casino Night Report shall contain a full accounting of the proceeds and expenses for the games played as well as the name, address, and social security number of a participant that is declared a winner requiring the issuance of Internal Revenue Service Form W-2G or substantially equivalent form.
The organization shall keep all financial records of the Casino Night event for at least 2 years after the event.
The Harford County Sheriff’s Office may refuse to issue a permit to an applicant who has failed to file a required report from a previous Casino Night event or is late in filing Federal or State tax returns.
An organization that is found to be in violation is ineligible to receive a license for a period of five (5) years.
For further information on the State and local Gaming Laws please consult Maryland Law through http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/michie/. You will find gambling under Maryland Code, Criminal Law, Titles 12 and 13.
Online Gambling License
Mail your application and fee to:
Harford County Sheriff’s Office
Attention: Central Records / Gambling License
P.O. Box 150, 45 South Main Street
Bel Air, MD 21014-0150
Office Telephone: 410-836-5445
(You may bring your completed application and fee to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Monday through Friday, 24 hours per day)