Skip to content
Security

Licence

A licence issued by the regulator (in Estonia the Tax and Customs Board) that lets a casino operate legally and protects players’ rights.

Also: licence · operating licence

What does this mean?

A licence is a permit issued by a regulator that obliges a casino to follow rules protecting players: fair games, protection of funds, responsible gambling tools and data security.

In Estonia, online casino licences are issued by the Tax and Customs Board. A licensed casino is supervised and offers players legal protection.

Common international licences are the MGA licence (Malta) and the Curaçao licence. For the Estonian permit see the Estonian gambling licence.

Source: Online gambling (Wikipedia).

Quick facts

The Tax and Customs BoardThe Estonian regulator
Fairness, money protection, legal protectionGuarantees
In the public registerVerifiable

Example: an online casino operating in Estonia must hold a licence from the Tax and Customs Board. The licence can be checked in the regulator’s public register.

What does a licence guarantee?

1

Fair games

A licence requires an independently tested random number generator.

2

Money protection

Players’ funds must be segregated and protected.

3

Responsible gambling

A licence comes with mandatory limit and self-exclusion tools.

4

Supervision

The regulator monitors activity and handles complaints.

Frequently asked questions

How to check whether a casino is licensed?

Licence information is usually in the casino footer, and it can be checked in the regulator’s public register. In Estonia that’s the Tax and Customs Board.

Why is a licence important?

A licensed casino is under supervision, must ensure fair games and money protection and gives the player legal protection in disputes.

Guide

What does a licence mean and why does the EMTA permit matter in a Trustly casino?

A licence is a permit granted by a regulator that obliges a casino to follow set rules for the player's protection: fair games, protection of funds, responsible-gambling tools and data security. Without a licence none of these protections is guaranteed — a licence is the first and most important thing to check at a trustworthy casino.

In Estonia online casino licences are issued by the Tax and Customs Board (EMTA). An EMTA-licensed casino is under state supervision: the randomness of its games is audited, players' money is held separately, and the player has legal protection if something goes wrong. This is a fundamentally different situation from an unlicensed casino, where in a dispute there is no one to turn to.

Why do a licence and Trustly go together so naturally? Because the Pay N Play model and bank links are built on trust and Estonia's banking infrastructure. An EMTA-licensed Trustly casino combines two layers of security: regulator supervision and bank-side identity verification. It means fast withdrawals are not only convenient but also regulated — your money moves between a licensed operator and your own bank account.

What a licensed casino concretely guarantees you:

  • audited games of chance and a published RTP;
  • mandatory responsible-gambling tools, including limits and self-exclusion;
  • protection of players' money in case of operator insolvency;
  • clear, non-misleading terms and a complaints procedure.

How do you check a licence? A reliable casino's footer usually references it. From a responsible-gambling view the licence is the foundation of the whole system: it ensures you play as an adult (21+ in Estonia) in a regulated environment where your rights are protected. If you need support, the helpline 15410 is always available.