Head of International Corporate Law and Fintech Practice
Expert in fintech, crypto, and international corporate law with over 20 years of experience. Specializes in crypto licensing (VASP/CASP), iGaming business support, and international structuring, asset protection, and OSINT analytics for risk assessment and due diligence.
OBTAINING A BETTING LICENSE
The sports betting market remains one of the most attractive and dynamic gambling segments in the world. To operate legally, operators need to obtain a license in a selected jurisdiction or even several. The procedure depends on the planned client audience, the specific legal regime, the level of regulation and compliance requirements, etc. The law firm "Prikhodko and Partners" regularly supports the processes of obtaining such licenses for clients from different countries.
What types of betting licenses are available in different countries?
The betting market in the world has a different legal structure: some jurisdictions offer flexible conditions for operators, others - strict but balanced requirements. Below are the main jurisdictions that are most often chosen by operators:
United Kingdom (UKGC) - one of the strictest, but most prestigious. Big brands certify here.
- Malta (MGA) - a popular jurisdiction for EU-oriented operators (after Brexit, UKGC still dominates).
- Gibraltar is traditionally friendly to operators, but with high requirements for financial transparency.
- Isle of Man is a reliable jurisdiction with global rights for online betting.
- Curacao is one of the most massive and accessible markets for betting (low capital requirements).
- Alderney is technically more complex, but prestigious, especially for high traffic.
- Italy (AAMS/ADM) is a regulated market, providing access to a large EU player base.
- Spain (DGOJ) is a clear regulation, high compliance standards, but wide opportunities for operators.
- Denmark (DGA) is an example of a good combination of transparency and access to the EU market.
- Ukraine (Play City) is a relatively new but growing market that is actively issuing licenses and is not going to stop there.
These jurisdictions differ in requirements for minimum capital, liability, disclosure requirements and control by the regulator.
What is needed: local legal requirements
Below are the key requirements in some major markets (jurisdictions):
United Kingdom — UKGC
- Mandatory operator license (LCCP).
- Proof of funds and financial capacity.
- Compliance policy (AML, Responsible Gambling).
- Social audit.
- Compliance with Technical standards.
- Reference: UK Gambling Act 2005, LCCP 2024.
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
- Master License with clear technical standards.
- Certification of a set of IT systems.
- AML/KYC policies.
- Reference: Gaming Act (Chapter 583).
Curacao
- Single Master License with sublicense permission.
- RNG/number certification in certain cases.
- Lower minimum capital requirements.
- Reference: Curacao eGaming Regulations.
Ukraine — Play City
- Permission to organize online betting activities.
- Transparent ownership structure.
- Compliance and AML/KYC procedures (including compliance with financial monitoring).
- Reference: Law of Ukraine “On State Regulation of Activities Related to the Organization and Conduct of Gambling”.
Main requirements for a potential owner
Regardless of the jurisdiction, regulators usually check:
Ownership structure
- transparent beneficiaries;
- absence of ties with jurisdictions with increased risk;
- good standing of the company.
Financial capacity
- minimum authorized capital (varies);
- confirmation of the origin of funds;
- transparent funding sources.
Compliance standards
- AML/KYC;
- Responsible Gambling policy;
- Information security and data protection;
- Risk management.
Technical requirements
- IT infrastructure that meets the standards of the regulator;
- Integration with the regulator's control systems (including transaction monitoring);
- Platform certification, RNG (if applicable).
Procedure for obtaining a betting license and deadlines
The licensing procedure consists of several stages:
Preliminary assessment and structuring
A legal audit of the business, structure, technical solutions and compliance is carried out.
Preparation of a package of documents
A large amount of documentation is prepared, including: business plans; executive summaries; financial models; AML/KYC policies; technical and IT descriptions.
Submission for consideration by the regulator
The application is submitted and undergoes formal verification.
Expert review
This stage involves a detailed assessment of the documents.
In 2025, the review times in different jurisdictions are approximately:
- UKGC: 12–24 weeks;
- MGA: 10–18 weeks;
- Curacao: 4–8 weeks;
- Play City (Ukraine): 30–60 business days.
Obtaining a decision
In the event of a positive decision, the company receives a license and can begin operations within the specified conditions.
How much does a document package relevance analysis cost?
Document relevance analysis is the first critical step before applying for a license. Such analysis includes:
- corporate structure assessment;
- compliance check;
- technical solutions suitability;
- risks of rejection.
Estimated cost of analysis: from €2,500 to €7,000 depending on jurisdiction, volume of documents and business readiness.
This is significantly cheaper than the consequences of a package return or rejection at later stages, which can cost tens of thousands of euros.
Main difficulties in obtaining a betting license
- Incomplete or incorrect documents
- Conflicting AML/KYC policies
- Opaque ownership structure
- Insufficient financial proven capital
- Lack of proper technical description of the platform
- Lack of certifications of IT solutions
- Mistaken understanding of the regulator's requirements
In our practice, up to 25–30% of applications in 2025 were returned for revision precisely due to errors in the preparation of documentation.
How do we help you obtain a betting license?
The law firm "Prikhodko & Partners" has deep expertise in the field of international corporate law, gambling regulation and compliance. We provide full legal support:
Strategic audit
We analyze:
- corporate structure;
- financial flows;
- AML/KYC compliance;
- the technical component of the project.
This allows us to identify risks before submitting an application.
Preparation of a full package
Our lawyers draw up:
- business models;
- compliance policies;
- technical descriptions;
- financial confirmations;
- accompanying legal memoranda.
Communication with the regulator
We take on the submission of documents, responses to inquiries, explanations and support of inspections.
Post-license support
A license is not the end. We:
- conduct regular compliance audits;
- update policies;
- maintain relationships with payment providers.
Obtaining a betting license is a complex but strategically important element of entering the global gambling market. Different jurisdictions offer different approaches, and the right choice of country, a conscious approach to compliance, and high-quality preparation of documents are crucial for success. Law Firm "Prikhodko and Partners" is your reliable legal partner in this process, which has practical experience in solving complex tasks of an international level and minimizes the risks of refusals and delays.
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Do you need help in collecting and preparing documents for obtaining a license?
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Do you need help choosing a jurisdiction to obtain a license?
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Are you ready to consider buying a company with an already valid gambling license?
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