Gibraltar Gambling CommissionSetting High Standards for the Industry
Established in 2005, the Gibraltar Gambling Commission (GGC) is a regulatory organization in charge of monitoring and licensing gambling operators based in Gibraltar. It ensures that operators provide an honest service, offers player protection, and prevent criminal activity. It is widely considered one of the most respected gambling regulation authorities, and here we provide information about the licenses it offers and other services it provides.
- Jurisdiction: Government of Gibraltar, Gaming Division
- Website: https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/finance-gaming-and-regulations/remote-gambling
- Address: Europort Suite 812 & 813 GX11 1AA Gibraltar
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 00350 20064142
- Founded: 2005
- Register an Online Casino Complaint: https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/finance-gaming-and-regulations/gambling-commissioners-advice-complainants
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How the Gibraltar Gambling Commission Works for Players
The Gibraltar Gambling Commission oversees and licenses all online and land-based casinos on its territory. Its overall role is to ensure that operators provide players with a fair and trustworthy service. This means that it ensures operators’ products give players a genuine chance of winning, that operators have enough money to pay players, that players’ privacy and money are protected, and that those at risk from gambling harm are not taken advantage of.
The GGC must also ensure that operators are not facilitating criminal activity such as money laundering or fraud. If the GGC finds an operator to fail in any of the above duties, then it can issue fines and withdraw the operator’s license.
The Path to Obtaining a Gibraltar Gambling License
There are several stages to applying for a Gibraltar Gambling Commission license. Applicants must already have experience in gambling, hold licenses from other respected authorities, be in good financial standing, and have a viable business plan.
First, applicants will undergo regulatory due diligence and submit information on trusts and other structures. The GGC will examine the corporate structure of the entity that the applicant is part of. Furthermore, the executive management team will be required to submit the following:
- A business plan
- Proposals for effective governance
- Proposals for policies
- Proposals for procedures such as consumer protection and social responsibility
Key individuals within the organization are likely to be asked to submit certificates of good conduct from jurisdictions in which they have worked or lived.
Applicants must also explain the economic benefits that they will bring to Gibraltar, such as employment, rental of office space, the usage of technical infrastructure providers, and future tax yield.
Other documents that must be submitted include:
- Copies of licenses and financial reports from other jurisdictions in which the operator is active
- Confirmation of financial solvency
- Identification documents and address verification of key employees
- Letters of recommendation
- Proof of the ability to pay winnings
All applicants must engage with the Gibraltar Gambling Division and the Gambling Commissioner before submitting a license application form and accompanying documentation. Only if they receive approval will the application move forward to submissions.
The cost of the license depends on the license being applied for. The Remote Gaming B2C Operator, Remote Betting B2C Operator, and Other Remote B2C Gambling Products licenses cost £100,000 for five years. The Gambling B2B Support Services license costs £85,000.
Gambling business tax is just 1% of revenues, and the amount cannot be higher than £425,000 or less than £85,000 per year.
GGC Complaints – Contacting the Gambling Commissioner
If you wish to make a complaint about an operator licensed by the Gibraltar Gambling Commission, then you must follow the process set out in the Gambling Commissioner’s advice to complainants. It is a very simple process but one that should only be used after attempting to resolve the issue directly with the operator. This may also mean using an independent adjudication service chosen by the operator.
Those who wish to complain to the commissioner should first complete the Complaint Resolution Request Form. It is important to retain all relevant materials, such as emails, screenshots, and game records. The GGC will then aim to reply within a week, but it can take longer. If they believe the complaint has merit, then it will be assigned to a case officer who will examine it and issue a Proposed Determination with their preliminary conclusion.
You must then respond to it within 14 days. The case officer will consider your response and issue a Decision Letter to you and the operator. Both you and the operator then have 7 days to respond. If there are objections, the Gambling Commissioner will then consider the case independently, and the decision reached will be final.
You may complain if you think your account has been unfairly suspended or your funds withheld without good reason. It is also possible to complain if you believe that the games on offer are unfair. However, it is highly unlikely that this is the case, as the GGC is very strict about software testing. Other common complaints include bonus terms, website terms and conditions, and canceled bets.
The Six Types of GGC Licenses Available
The Gibraltar Gambling Commission can issue six types of licenses, two of which are for land-based organizations. The licenses are:
- Remote Gaming B2C Operator (online casinos)
- Remote Betting B2C Operator (online bookmakers)
- Other Remote B2C Gambling Products (betting intermediaries)
- Gambling B2B Support Services (gambling software provision)
- Non-Remote B2C Gaming Operator (land-based casinos)
- Non-Remote B2C Betting Operator (land-based bookmakers and lotteries)
It is possible for an operator to hold multiple licenses. For instance, a website offering online casino games and sports betting would require both a Remote Gaming B2C Operator license and a Remote Betting B2C Operator license.
Knowing If a Casino Is Licensed by the Gibraltar Gambling Commission
There are three very simple methods of finding out if an operator holds a license from the Gibraltar Gambling Commission. The first is to visit the regulator’s website, where you will find an up-to-date list of all license holders. This is the most reliable way of finding out. You can also see a list of each operator’s approved brands.
The second way is to visit the casino/sportsbook website. Most will display the logos of all the gambling commissions that license them in the site footer.
The third way is to read our casino reviews. You can find bonuses, game variations, which regulator has authorized the gambling venue, and much more interesting information.
In the case of the Gibraltar Gambling Commission, you should look for ‘HM Government of Gibraltar’. Normally, it will be visible on every page of the site; however, this is not always the case. Furthermore, a website could fake the logo, so it is far better to check directly on the GGC website.
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Look for the GGC logo in the footer of the casino website.
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Go to the official GGC website and search by name or account number.
Why Operators Want a GGC License
There are a number of benefits for operators to obtain a license from the GGC. First of all, it is highly respected and widely trusted by players, which will give the operator immediate credibility together with access to a large European market. Furthermore, the price of licenses is easy to understand with no hidden costs. Gibraltar’s taxation is a major benefit; it is just 1% of revenue and capped at £425,000 per year. Another advantage is that the license is valid for 5 years, while most other regulators require licenses to be renewed annually.
- Extremely prestigious
- Low taxation
- License is valid for 5 years
- Difficult application procedure
- Requires significant financial investment
Top Casinos with a Gibraltar Gambling Commission License
The GGC is very particular about who it issues licenses to. In fact, as of May 2022, it had issued a total of just 41 licenses (which cover many brands). As such, you can be sure that any operator that successfully applied for a license has demonstrated that it has truly high standards. In fact, it is mainly the big-name operators that hold GGC licenses, and as such, you can be sure that they offer a premium experience in all areas. If you want to play at a GGC-licensed casino, we suggest you consider the following:
FAQ
In What Countries Is a Gibraltar Gambling License Recognized?
Operators with a license from the GGC can operate in almost all EU countries and many in the rest of the world.
The license is valid in any country unless there are local regulations that specify it is not. As such, the license opens up a vast player base to operators.
How Much Does It Cost to Obtain a Gibraltar Gambling License?
All Gibraltar licenses cost £100,000 for five years, except for the Gambling B2B Support Services license, which costs just £85,000.
While the fee may be higher than that charged by other gambling authorities, most authorities charge an annual fee. Gambling business tax is then just 1% of revenues, with a yearly cap of £425,000.
Why Are Gibraltar Gambling Licenses So Well Respected?
Simply because the GGC has such high standards for instance, it will only grant licenses to companies that are already licensed in a second respectable jurisdiction and can prove themselves to be in good financial standing. As such, there is almost no chance that a rogue operator will receive a license.
What Type of Gibraltar Gambling Licenses Are Available?
The Gibraltar Gambling Commission is able to issue six different licenses: Remote Gaming B2C Operator, Remote Betting B2C Operator, Other Remote B2C Gambling Products, Gambling B2B Support Services, Non-Remote B2C Gaming Operator, and Non-Remote B2C Betting Operator.
