Licences · Compare
Compare iGaming licences: Great Britain, Malta, Sweden, the Netherlands and more
The first question is not which licence is cheapest but which market your players are in. A market licence such as Great Britain's is required to serve that country's consumers wherever your company sits. Sweden, the Netherlands, Estonia and Romania license their own markets the same way. A hub licence such as Malta's, Curaçao's or the Isle of Man's authorises you to operate from that jurisdiction, and every country you target still needs its own check. Pick two to four regimes below; every value shows its source, how strong that source is and the date we read it.
| Field | Great Britain | Malta | Curaçao | Isle of Man | Sweden | Netherlands | Estonia | Romania |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal status | ||||||||
| Regulator | UK Gambling Commission LawGambling Act 2005, read 26 October 2026 | Malta Gaming Authority LawGaming Authorisations Regulations (S.L. 583.05), read 26 October 2026 | Curaçao Gaming Authority LawNational Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK), English translation (archived), read 23 September 2026 | Gambling Supervision Commission Regulator guidanceOnline gambling licence, read 27 October 2026 | Spelinspektionen (Swedish Gambling Authority) LawSpellag (2018:1138), the Gambling Act, read 27 October 2026 | Kansspelautoriteit (Netherlands Gambling Authority) LawWet op de kansspelen (Betting and Gaming Act), as amended by the Remote Gambling Act, read 27 October 2026 | Estonian Tax and Customs Board (EMTA); since 2026 the Financial Intelligence Unit also approves activity licences LawGambling Act (Hasartmänguseadus), English translation of the text in force from 1 January 2026, read 27 October 2026 | National Gambling Office (Oficiul Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc, ONJN) LawOUG 77/2009 on gambling, consolidated text (archived), read 27 October 2026 |
| Main law | Gambling Act 2005 LawGambling Act 2005, read 26 October 2026 | Gaming Act (Chapter 583) and its subsidiary legislation LawGaming Authorisations Regulations (S.L. 583.05), read 26 October 2026 | National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK), fully in force since 24 December 2024 LawNational Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK), English translation (archived), read 23 September 2026 | Online Gambling Regulation Act 2001 Regulator guidancePrimary legislation, read 27 October 2026 | Gambling Act (Spellag 2018:1138), Gambling Ordinance (2018:1475) and Gambling Tax Act (2018:1139) LawSpellag (2018:1138), the Gambling Act, read 27 October 2026 | Betting and Gaming Act (Wet op de kansspelen) as amended by the Remote Gambling Act; online market open since 1 October 2021 LawWet op de kansspelen (Betting and Gaming Act), as amended by the Remote Gambling Act, read 27 October 2026 | Gambling Act (Hasartmänguseadus) and Gambling Tax Act (Hasartmängumaksu seadus) LawGambling Act (Hasartmänguseadus), English translation of the text in force from 1 January 2026, read 27 October 2026 | Emergency Ordinance 77/2009 on gambling, as amended, with implementing norms in Government Decision 111/2016 LawOUG 77/2009 on gambling, consolidated text (archived), read 27 October 2026 |
| Licence model | Market licence: authorises gambling for consumers in Great Britain Kompanion analysisRemote casino operating licence, read 26 October 2026 | Hub licence: authorises services from Malta; each target market needs its own check Kompanion analysisGaming Authorisations Regulations (S.L. 583.05), read 26 October 2026 | Hub licence: authorises services from Curaçao; each target market needs its own check Kompanion analysisNational Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK), English translation (archived), read 23 September 2026 | Hub licence: authorises services from the Isle of Man; each target market needs its own check Kompanion analysisOnline gambling licence, read 27 October 2026 | Market licence: authorises gambling offered to players in Sweden LawSpellag (2018:1138), the Gambling Act, read 27 October 2026 | Market licence: authorises remote gambling offered to players in the Netherlands LawWet op de kansspelen (Betting and Gaming Act), as amended by the Remote Gambling Act, read 27 October 2026 | Market licence: authorises gambling offered to players in Estonia LawGambling Act (Hasartmänguseadus), English translation of the text in force from 1 January 2026, read 27 October 2026 | Market licence: a licence plus a yearly authorisation to offer gambling to players in Romania LawOUG 77/2009 on gambling, consolidated text (archived), read 27 October 2026 |
| Licence types | One remote operating licence per gambling activity: casino, bingo, betting, gambling software and others Regulator guidanceRemote casino operating licence, read 26 October 2026 | Two licences: a gaming service licence (B2C) and a critical gaming supply licence (B2B) LawGaming Authorisations Regulations (S.L. 583.05), read 26 October 2026 | B2C Gaming License and B2B Supplier License, issued directly by the CGA Regulator guidanceLOK fees and charges (archived), read 27 October 2026 | Full licence, sub-licence, network services, software supplier and token-based software licences Regulator guidanceOnline gambling licence fees, effective 6 July 2023 (October 2025 edition), read 27 October 2026 | Two B2C licences, commercial online gaming and betting, plus a gambling software permit for B2B suppliers, required since 1 July 2023 LawSpellag (2018:1138), the Gambling Act, read 27 October 2026 | One remote gambling licence for B2C operators, covering casino games, peer-to-peer games, sports betting and horse-race betting LawBesluit kansspelen op afstand (Remote Gambling Decree), read 27 October 2026 | An activity licence (games of chance, toto or skill) plus an operating permit for each remote gambling type; no supplier licence LawGambling Act (Hasartmänguseadus), English translation of the text in force from 1 January 2026, read 27 October 2026 | Class 1 for B2C remote operators; Class 2 for B2B suppliers in eight categories, including platforms, software, payment processors and affiliates LawOUG 77/2009 on gambling, consolidated text (archived), read 27 October 2026 |
| Licence term | Not checked yet | 10 years, original or renewed LawGaming Authorisations Regulations (S.L. 583.05), read 26 October 2026 | Indefinite; kept in force by the annual fee rather than renewed LawNational Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK), English translation (archived), read 23 September 2026 | Five years initial term Independent secondaryGuide to gambling law in the Isle of Man 2026, read 3 September 2026 | Up to five years, for licences and software permits alike LawSpellag (2018:1138), the Gambling Act, read 27 October 2026 | Up to five years; the first licences ran from October 2021 to September 2026 LawBesluit kansspelen op afstand (Remote Gambling Decree), read 27 October 2026 | Activity licence open-ended; remote operating permit up to five years; neither transferable LawGambling Act (Hasartmänguseadus), English translation of the text in force from 1 January 2026, read 27 October 2026 | Licence ten years; exploitation authorisation one year, paid in advance LawOUG 77/2009 on gambling, consolidated text (archived), read 27 October 2026 |
| Market access | ||||||||
| Covers consumers in Great Britain | Yes. Required wherever the business is based Regulator guidanceRemote casino operating licence, read 26 October 2026 | No. Great Britain requires a UK Gambling Commission licence LawGambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014, read 16 September 2026 | No. Great Britain requires a UK Gambling Commission licence LawGambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014, read 3 September 2026 | No. Great Britain requires a UK Gambling Commission licence LawGambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014, read 3 September 2026 | No. Great Britain requires a UK Gambling Commission licence LawGambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014, read 16 September 2026 | No. Great Britain requires a UK Gambling Commission licence LawGambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014, read 16 September 2026 | No. Great Britain requires a UK Gambling Commission licence LawGambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014, read 16 September 2026 | No. Great Britain requires a UK Gambling Commission licence LawGambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014, read 16 September 2026 |
| Access to other EU markets | Not applicable: authorises Great Britain only Kompanion analysisRemote casino operating licence, read 26 October 2026 | No passport. EU member states license gambling nationally LawGaming Authorisations Regulations (S.L. 583.05), read 16 September 2026 | Not applicable: Curaçao is not an EU member state Kompanion analysisNational Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK), English translation (archived), read 23 September 2026 | Not applicable: the Isle of Man is not in the EU Kompanion analysisOnline gambling licence, read 27 October 2026 | No passport. Covers players in Sweden only; each EU market licenses nationally Kompanion analysisSpellag (2018:1138), the Gambling Act, read 27 October 2026 | No passport. Covers players in the Netherlands only; each EU market licenses nationally Kompanion analysisWet op de kansspelen (Betting and Gaming Act), as amended by the Remote Gambling Act, read 27 October 2026 | No passport. Covers players in Estonia only; each EU market licenses nationally Kompanion analysisGambling Act (Hasartmänguseadus), English translation of the text in force from 1 January 2026, read 27 October 2026 | No passport. Covers players in Romania only; each EU market licenses nationally Kompanion analysisOUG 77/2009 on gambling, consolidated text (archived), read 27 October 2026 |
| Regulator fees | ||||||||
| Application fee | £8,185 for remote casino in the smallest band (GGY under £250,000), rising with GGY to £165,069 Regulator guidanceRemote casino operating licence, read 26 October 2026 | €5,000 one-off LawGaming Licence Fees Regulations (S.L. 583.03), read 26 October 2026 | €4,592 per application, plus €150 per ultimate beneficial owner Regulator guidanceLOK fees and charges (archived), read 27 October 2026 | £5,250 for every licence type Regulator guidanceOnline gambling licence fees, effective 6 July 2023 (October 2025 edition), read 27 October 2026 | SEK 230,000 per B2C licence, one fee when both are filed together; SEK 120,000 for a software permit LawSpelförordning (2018:1475), the Gambling Ordinance, read 27 October 2026 | €61,300, not refunded if refused (€48,000 until 31 March 2026) LawStaatscourant 2026, 1642: amendment of the Remote Gambling Regulation (application fee), read 27 October 2026 | €47,940 for a games-of-chance activity licence, plus €3,200 per operating permit LawState Fees Act (Riigilõivuseadus), sections 260 and 261, read 27 October 2026 | €3,500 documentation analysis plus €10,500 issuance per licence; €250 per authorisation application LawOUG 77/2009 on gambling, consolidated text (archived), read 27 October 2026 |
| Annual fee, B2C operator | £7,000 for remote casino in the smallest band, rising with GGY; first annual fee reduced by 25% Regulator guidanceRemote casino operating licence, read 26 October 2026 | €25,000; €10,000 if the licence covers only Type 4 games LawGaming Licence Fees Regulations (S.L. 583.03), read 26 October 2026 | €47,450: €22,960 supervisory fee to the CGA and €24,490 licence fee to the Treasury Regulator guidanceLOK fees and charges (archived), read 27 October 2026 | £36,750 for a full licence; £5,250 for a sub-licence Regulator guidanceOnline gambling licence fees, effective 6 July 2023 (October 2025 edition), read 27 October 2026 | SEK 240,000 a year per licence, so SEK 480,000 for online gaming plus betting LawSIFS 2026:1, regulations on supervision fees (in force 1 March 2026), read 27 October 2026 | No separate annual fee. The regulator is funded by the gambling levy Regulator guidanceKansspelheffing online kansspelen (gambling levy), read 27 October 2026 | None. The State Fees Act charges application fees only LawState Fees Act (Riigilõivuseadus), sections 260 and 261, read 27 October 2026 | €300,000 a year for a Class 1 licence, before the authorisation tax LawOUG 77/2009 on gambling, consolidated text (archived), read 27 October 2026 |
| Annual fee, B2B supplier | Not checked yet | €25,000 to €35,000 by revenue for suppliers of game elements; €3,000 to €5,000 for suppliers only of regulatory-records software LawGaming Licence Fees Regulations (S.L. 583.03), read 26 October 2026 | €24,490 supervisory fee; no Treasury licence fee Regulator guidanceLOK fees and charges (archived), read 27 October 2026 | £36,750 software supplier licence; £52,500 token-based software or network services Regulator guidanceOnline gambling licence fees, effective 6 July 2023 (October 2025 edition), read 27 October 2026 | SEK 16,500 a year for a gambling software permit LawSIFS 2026:1, regulations on supervision fees (in force 1 March 2026), read 27 October 2026 | No B2B licence. Game systems must be inspected by a designated testing body Regulator guidanceVraag en antwoord vergunning online kansspelen (licence Q&A), read 27 October 2026 | No B2B licence. Outsourcing gambling functions needs EMTA's written consent LawGambling Act (Hasartmänguseadus), English translation of the text in force from 1 January 2026, read 27 October 2026 | €20,000 a year per Class 2 category LawOUG 77/2009 on gambling, consolidated text (archived), read 27 October 2026 |
| Tax and revenue charges | ||||||||
| Revenue-based regulator charge | Not checked yet | Compliance contribution: Type 1 from €15,000 to €375,000 a year at 1.25% falling to 0.40% of revenue; a recognised start-up pays none in its first 12 months LawGaming Licence Fees Regulations (S.L. 583.03), read 26 October 2026 | Not checked yet | Not checked yet | None. The Act allows only licence, permit, registration and supervision fees LawSpellag (2018:1138), the Gambling Act, read 27 October 2026 | Gambling levy of 1.95% of gross gaming result, including a 0.25% share for addiction prevention LawWet op de kansspelen (Betting and Gaming Act), as amended by the Remote Gambling Act, read 27 October 2026 | None besides gambling tax Kompanion analysisGambling Tax Act (Hasartmängumaksu seadus), version in force from 1 March 2026, read 27 October 2026 | Responsible-gambling contribution of €500,000 a year for Class 1 and €15,000 for Class 2 LawOUG 77/2009 on gambling, consolidated text (archived), read 27 October 2026 |
| Gaming tax or duty | Remote Gaming Duty of 40% of remote gaming profits from UK customers, from 1 April 2026 Regulator guidanceChanges to Gambling Duties (policy paper), read 26 October 2026 | From 1 October 2026: 15% for Type 1 and 10% for Types 2 to 4; for remote gaming, charged on players established or resident in Malta LawLegal Notice 84 of 2026 (gaming tax), read 27 October 2026 | None under the gaming law: its charges are the application and annual fees LawNational Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK), English translation (archived), read 23 September 2026 | Gambling duty of 1.5% of gross gaming yield up to £20 million, 0.5% from £20 to £40 million, 0.1% above Regulator guidanceGambling duty, read 3 September 2026 | 22% of the behållning (stakes less winnings paid), per calendar month LawLag (2018:1139) om skatt på spel, the Gambling Tax Act, read 27 October 2026 | 37.8% of gross gaming result from 1 January 2026 (34.2% in 2025) LawWet op de kansspelbelasting (Gambling Tax Act), read 27 October 2026 | 5.5% of bets less winnings from 1 March 2026; adopted cuts to 5% in 2027, 4.5% in 2028 and 4% from 2029 LawGambling Tax Act (Hasartmängumaksu seadus), version in force from 1 March 2026, read 27 October 2026 | Authorisation tax of 30% of gambling revenue, at least €480,000 a year, from 1 August 2025; plus 2% a month on player deposits LawLaw 141/2025 on fiscal and budgetary measures, read 27 October 2026 |
| Timeline | ||||||||
| Published decision time | 16 weeks on average for a complete operating licence application; not guaranteed Regulator guidanceLicence application processing times, read 26 October 2026 | Not published. Neither the Act nor the Authority sets a period for deciding an application Regulator guidanceGaming Authorisations and Compliance Directive (Directive 3 of 2018), read 16 September 2026 | Statutory: phase-one decision within 8 weeks of a complete file, final decision within 8 weeks of phase-two documents, each extendable by 4 weeks. The CGA indicates about 3 to 4 months LawNational Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK), English translation (archived), read 23 September 2026 | 8 to 12 weeks if there are no unexpected issues, per the government's eGaming agency Regulator guidanceTypes of licence and basic criteria, read 27 October 2026 | No statutory deadline. After six months the applicant may ask in writing for a decision LawFörvaltningslag (2017:900), the Administrative Procedure Act, read 27 October 2026 | Six months, extendable once by up to six months LawBesluit kansspelen op afstand (Remote Gambling Decree), read 27 October 2026 | Activity licence: four months from a complete file, six at most. Operating permit: two months, four at most LawGambling Act (Hasartmänguseadus), English translation of the text in force from 1 January 2026, read 27 October 2026 | 30 days from a complete file, by statute LawOUG 77/2009 on gambling, consolidated text (archived), read 27 October 2026 |
| Company and capital | ||||||||
| Local company and people | No UK company required: licensees in the register include businesses with head offices in Malta, Gibraltar, Cyprus and Ireland Official registerPublic register of gambling businesses, read 26 October 2026 | Not checked yet | Curaçao NV or BV managed by a Curaçao resident; a full-time local key person and exclusive local premises. New B2C licensees under ANG 20 million GGR are exempt from the last two for three fiscal years LawNational Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK), English translation (archived), read 23 September 2026 | Isle of Man company with at least two local directors and a resident designated official Independent secondaryGuide to gambling law in the Isle of Man 2026, read 3 September 2026 | No Swedish company required. A holder with no residence or establishment in the EEA needs a natural-person representative living in Sweden LawSpellag (2018:1138), the Gambling Act, read 27 October 2026 | Seat, head office or main establishment in the EU or EEA, with no exemptions granted; control database located in the Netherlands Regulator guidanceVraag en antwoord vergunning online kansspelen (licence Q&A), read 27 October 2026 | Company registered in Estonia or the EU; gambling must be its only business, with narrow exceptions from 2026 Regulator guidanceApplying for permits, read 27 October 2026 | Romanian company, or EU, EEA or Swiss company with a Romanian permanent establishment booking all gambling revenue; authorised representative in Romania LawOUG 77/2009 on gambling, consolidated text (archived), read 27 October 2026 |
| Minimum capital | Not checked yet | Paid-up share capital of €100,000 for Type 1 or 2, €40,000 for Type 3, Type 4 or critical supply; capped at €240,000 Regulator guidanceCapital Requirements Policy, read 16 September 2026 | Not checked yet | Not checked yet | No statutory minimum. The regulator expects sufficient financial resources Regulator guidanceSå går ansökan till (how to apply), read 27 October 2026 | No minimum capital. Financial security of €50,000 at licensing: bank guarantee, deposit or surety Regulator guidanceBeleidsregels vergunningverlening kansspelen op afstand 2026 (licensing policy rules), read 27 October 2026 | Share capital of at least €1,000,000 for games of chance LawGambling Act (Hasartmänguseadus), English translation of the text in force from 1 January 2026, read 27 October 2026 | Guarantee of €2,000,000, or €5,000,000 for online casino; paid-up share capital of at least RON 1,000,000 LawOUG 77/2009 on gambling, consolidated text (archived), read 27 October 2026 |
| Transparency and player protection | ||||||||
| Public licensee register | Yes. Downloadable register of businesses, licences, activity statuses and declared domains Official registerPublic register of gambling businesses, read 26 October 2026 | Yes. Licensee register with a URL checker, plus an enforcement register Official registerLicensee Register and URL Checker, read 27 October 2026 | Not confirmed. The CGA website and portal returned errors on 27 October 2026 UnverifiedOnline gaming portal (archived), read 27 October 2026 | Yes. Online gambling licensee register with company profiles and live websites Official registerOnline gambling licensee register, read 27 October 2026 | Yes. Licence register of every valid licence and permit, with game-site addresses and validity dates Official registerLicence register, read 27 October 2026 | Yes. Kansspelwijzer lists licensees with licence numbers, validity dates, brands, websites and apps Official registerKansspelwijzer (register of licensed operators), read 27 October 2026 | Yes. EMTA list of legal operators with brands, licensed domains and links to permits, plus a blocked-sites list Official registerList of legal gambling operators, read 27 October 2026 | ONJN publishes Class 1 and Class 2 lists; not read, its site served a browser check on 27 October 2026 UnverifiedClass 1 licensees, read 27 October 2026 |
| Central self-exclusion scheme | Not checked yet | No. Each licensee runs its own; a unified system was only at consultation stage Regulator guidancePlayer Protection Directive (Directive 2 of 2018), read 16 September 2026 | Not checked yet | Not checked yet | Yes. Spelpaus.se, checked at registration, at every login and before direct marketing LawSpellag (2018:1138), the Gambling Act, read 27 October 2026 | Yes. Cruks, checked at registration and at every login; a tested connection is a licence condition LawWet op de kansspelen (Betting and Gaming Act), as amended by the Remote Gambling Act, read 27 October 2026 | Yes. Operators check the HAMPI restrictions list before letting anyone play LawGambling Act (Hasartmänguseadus), English translation of the text in force from 1 January 2026, read 27 October 2026 | ONJN keeps a national self-exclusion database; the statutory check is written for gambling premises LawOUG 77/2009 on gambling, consolidated text (archived), read 27 October 2026 |
Which licence model fits your business?
- Do you take bets or wagers from consumers in a country that licenses online gambling itself? Then that country's licence is normally required. Great Britain, Sweden, the Netherlands, Estonia and Romania all work this way: no hub licence replaces their licence for their players.
- Are you a B2B supplier of games, platforms or software? Compare supplier licences: Malta's critical gaming supply licence, Curaçao's supplier licence and the Isle of Man's software supplier licence, then check each target market: Sweden and Romania license suppliers themselves, while the Netherlands and Estonia license operators only.
- Are you a B2C operator targeting several markets? A hub licence covers where you operate from. Each target market still has to be checked on its own, because a hub licence does not passport into regulated markets.
What the comparison does not show
- Total cost. Legal fees, company formation, testing labs, staff, banking and payment processing are not regulator charges and are not added in.
- Payment acceptance. Holding a licence does not mean a payment provider will onboard you; provider evidence comes in a later release.
- Requirements in full. AML, technical certification, advertising and player-funds rules are linked from each jurisdiction page but not summarised until a lawyer has reviewed them.
How this comparison is built
Each value is one claim with one source. The badge says how strong that source is:
- Official register read from the regulator's public register.
- Law a statute, regulation or legal notice.
- Regulator guidance the regulator's or government's own page or document.
- Independent secondary a law firm or other independent source, used only where the regulator does not publish the figure.
- Kompanion analysis our classification, such as market versus hub licence, with the source it rests on.
- Unverified could not be confirmed on the date shown.
There is no overall score: weighting fees against market access or decision time depends on your business, so we leave it to you. Fields are rechecked monthly and when a regulator publishes a change. Rules for sources are in the methodology; every source is listed in the source registry. Found an error? Report a correction.