Online Poker Licensing Guide: Jurisdictions

01 / Start here

A licensing base and a player market are different decisions.

Your company’s licensing jurisdiction sets obligations for that business. The place where you accept players can impose its own licensing requirements. Do not choose a licence solely because it is advertised as fast, cheap or “global”.

Within the EU, gambling is governed by national frameworks rather than a single sector-wide EU regime. A market-by-market review is essential. European Commission: online gambling ↗

This is a planning guide, not legal or tax advice. Confirm your proposed markets and business model with qualified advisers and the relevant authorities before launch.

02 / Licensing routes

Six jurisdictions to evaluate.

These profiles explain the route to investigate. Inclusion is not a recommendation or a promise of approval.

Curaçao

Curaçao Gaming Authority · CGA

Online gaming under the LOK

The LOK took effect on 24 December 2024. The CGA now issues and supervises online gaming licences. Review the current operator and supplier requirements rather than relying on old master-licence or sub-licence packages.

Check entity eligibility, ownership disclosures, local obligations and the regulator’s current AML, player-protection and testing policies.

CGA online gaming guidance ↗

October 2026: portal transition

The CGA announced on 7 October that its previous portal would not return to service. Its official website confirms that an interim online gaming portal launched on 19 October 2026.

Closing the previous portal does not itself invalidate existing CGA licences. Operators must still meet their licence conditions and regulatory obligations. This does not establish that every old master-licence or sublicense remains valid.

Use cga.cw to access current portal and application links. Check the operator and domain through the CGA’s current verification arrangements; an old seal or inactive validation link is not proof of a current licence. Consult the licence register and confirm uncertain status directly with the CGA.

CGA transition announcement — 7 October 2026 (PDF) ↗ CGA portal and digital-seal update — 19 October 2026 (PDF) ↗

Malta

Malta Gaming Authority · MGA

Peer-to-peer poker is Type 3

The MGA places peer-to-peer poker in Type 3 under its B2C gaming service framework. Poker played against the house falls into a different category, so the actual game model matters.

The published B2C application fee is €5,000 and the fixed annual licence fee is €25,000. Compliance contributions, applicable taxes and operating costs are additional. Check target-market permissions separately.

MGA services, fees and application guidance ↗

Isle of Man

Gambling Supervision Commission · GSC

Match the licence to your business model

The GSC offers online gambling licensing routes for different activities. Applications include company and individual vetting, supporting documents and an application fee. A hearing follows the accepted application process.

Confirm the appropriate licence type and the responsibilities of your designated officials before finalizing your company structure and technical plan.

GSC online gambling applications ↗

Gibraltar

Licensing Authority & Gambling Commissioner

Review the updated licensing framework

Gibraltar’s Gambling Act 2025 expands the scope of licensing across gambling businesses, suppliers and other regulated activities. The Gambling Division publishes the current application guidance and fee information.

The authority considers established operators and can also consider appropriately funded start-ups. Discuss your activity and proposed presence with the Division; a Gibraltar licence does not replace destination-market approvals.

Gibraltar licensing guidance ↗Applicant profiles: Gambling Division ↗

Great Britain

Gambling Commission · UKGC

For operators serving British players

The UKGC’s remote casino operating licence includes online poker. An operator providing remote gambling to consumers in Great Britain needs the relevant UKGC licence, even if the business is based elsewhere.

Distinguish a customer-facing operating licence from software or host permissions. Review the applicable licence conditions, technical standards and current fee category for your business.

UKGC remote casino licence guidance ↗

Ontario

AGCO & iGaming Ontario

A market-specific entry process

Private operators must register with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and execute an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario before entering its regulated market.

Plan for both organizations’ requirements. iGO states that players must be physically in Ontario to play and that residency alone is not the test. Confirm current poker liquidity rules directly before designing a shared player pool.

iGO steps to joining the market ↗iGO player-location and liquidity FAQs ↗

03 / At a glance

Compare the route, then the full cost.

Swipe the table to see all columns →

Licensing routes and budget checks — reviewed 24 October 2026
Jurisdiction	Route to review	Budget check
Curaçao	LOK operator and supplier requirements	Current CGA fees, local operations and compliance
Malta	B2C licence with Type 3 approval	€5,000 application + €25,000 annual fixed fee; other costs apply
Isle of Man	GSC online gambling licence	Licence category, due diligence and operating arrangements
Gibraltar	Activity-specific licensing under the updated Act	Current duties, fees and the proposed operating structure
Great Britain	Remote casino operating licence for customer-facing poker	Activity and revenue-based fee categories; ongoing compliance
Ontario	AGCO registration + iGO operating agreement	Registration, technical requirements and agreement obligations

Fees are not the total launch budget. Use the linked regulator guidance for current rates; confirm tax treatment separately. This comparison does not grant access to any destination market.

04 / Budget & schedule

Price the operation, not just the licence.

Application and ownership checks: Regulatory fees, legal preparation, ownership verification and evidence of funding.
People and local operations: Required company presence, management, compliance staff and ongoing reporting.
Technology and testing: Platform configuration, integrations, security reviews and testing required for the selected market.
Running costs: Renewals, applicable taxes or contributions, payment processing, hosting, support and player-fund arrangements.

Ask your advisers and suppliers for an itemized budget separating one-time and recurring costs. Keep approval timing separate from software delivery: completing the platform does not mean you are authorized to launch.

05 / Application preparation

Questions to resolve before you apply.

Define the player markets. List the countries, states or provinces you intend to serve. Obtain advice on which activities and player locations are permitted.
Describe the actual poker model. Set out who contracts with players, how rake or fees are earned, who holds funds and whether you operate a network or an independent player pool.
Confirm commercial feasibility. Ask banks and payment providers to review the proposed entity, markets and licence. Do not assume a licence guarantees their acceptance.
Assign the responsibilities. Document what the operator, advisers, platform provider, payment providers and testing laboratories must deliver.
Set approval checkpoints. Plan application evidence, technical reviews, regulator questions and ongoing obligations before announcing a launch date.

06 / Technical preparation

Turn regulatory requirements into a platform specification.

Bring your advisers’ requirements to the technical scoping stage. Identify the identity checks, location restrictions, player-protection controls, records and reporting your operation will need.

Creatiosoft can discuss platform customization, KYC and geolocation integrations, hosting and support. We agree the implementation scope with you. Our iTech Labs RNG certification covers card shuffling and dealing; it is not an operating licence or blanket approval for every jurisdiction.

Discuss your platform requirements

07 / Common questions

Poker licensing questions.

Which poker licence is best?

Start with the location of your players and the activity you will operate. Then compare eligible licensing routes, payment-provider acceptance, staffing requirements and the full operating budget. There is no single best jurisdiction for every poker business.

Does the CGA portal transition invalidate an existing licence?

The CGA states that discontinuing its previous portal does not itself invalidate existing CGA licences or remove operators’ obligations. This is not blanket confirmation that every legacy sublicense remains valid. Check the operator’s current status with the CGA.

Does a Malta licence cover every EU country?

Do not treat it as an EU-wide passport. Gambling frameworks differ between EU countries. Check the rules and any local authorization required in each target market before accepting players.

Is a software purchase or RNG certificate a gambling licence?

No. Software supply, game testing and authorization to operate are separate matters. A certificate for an RNG does not authorize a business to accept real-money players.

How long should we allow for licensing?

Build the schedule around the regulator’s current process and the completeness of your application. Ownership checks, financial evidence, technical reviews and follow-up questions can affect the timeline. Avoid committing to a launch date before the necessary approvals.

Can Creatiosoft obtain the licence for us?

Creatiosoft supplies poker technology. Discuss legal eligibility and licensing applications with qualified advisers and the relevant regulator. We can review your platform requirements and agree the technical work needed for your planned operation.

08 / Check the source

Official guidance.

Regulatory requirements change. Recheck these sources when preparing your application.

Poker licensing.
Start with your players’ market.