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 POKER LICENSES
Poker games are one of the most dynamic segments of online gambling, attracting both players and operators with a high return on investment. However, the development of such a business is possible only if there is an appropriate license in the chosen jurisdiction. Poker regulatory standards in different countries differ significantly in terms of capital requirements, compliance, financial transparency and technical solutions.
The law firm “Prikhodko & Partners”, specializing in international corporate law and fintech regulation, has many years of experience in supporting the processes of obtaining poker licenses for clients from all over the world.
What are the different types of poker licenses in different countries?
The online poker industry is global, and operators often choose jurisdictions that combine transparent regulation with access to large markets:
- United Kingdom (UKGC) — one of the most prestigious and strictest licenses in the world (UK Gambling Commission).
- Malta (MGA) — an EU license with the ability to scale to all EU countries.
- Gibraltar — popular among large operators due to its stable legal system.
- Isle of Man — a technically reliable jurisdiction with a long history of online licensing.
- Curacao — an affordable jurisdiction with flexible terms, but with lower compliance requirements.
- Alderney — a prestigious jurisdiction for operators with high traffic volumes.
- Spain (DGOJ) — a clear legal regime for the local market and international operators.
- Italy (ADM) — demanding, but promising for access to a large player base.
- Denmark (DGA) — advanced regulatory approach and stable access to the EU market.
- Ukraine (Play City) — a rapidly growing market with clear requirements for poker and gambling.
These jurisdictions differ in terms of application processing times, capital requirements and degree of compliance.
Key requirements for a potential owner
Regardless of the chosen jurisdiction, regulatory standards include:
- Transparent ownership structure
Operators must disclose ultimate beneficiaries, avoid dual or opaque jurisdictions, have no ties to sanctioned jurisdictions or persons.
- Financial capacity
Minimum capital, confirmation of the origin of funds, financial stability — all these criteria are checked by regulators.
- Compliance and policies
Regulators require clear AML/KYC policies, Responsible Gaming procedures, information security and risk management.
- Technical requirements
IT infrastructure must be certified, have anti-fraud protection mechanisms, as well as integration with the regulator’s control systems.
Poker license procedure and deadlines
The procedure includes:
- Preliminary assessment
- Document preparation
- Submission to the regulator
- Analysis of the submitted package of documents
- Receiving a decision
How much does a document package relevance analysis cost?
A preliminary analysis of the document package is crucial – it determines whether the application will be returned for revision or you will receive a positive decision from the regulator.
Estimated cost of legal analysis: from €3,000 to €10,000, depending on the chosen jurisdiction; the scope of the business plan; the readiness of IT documentation; the level of complexity of the ownership structure.
Such analysis includes:
- assessment of the corporate structure;
- review of AML/KYC policies;
- verification of technical descriptions;
- preparation of recommendations for improvement.
This saves time and significantly reduces the risks of rejection.
Key challenges in obtaining a poker license
- Incomplete documents: Lack of technical specifications or financial proof is one of the most common reasons for package returns.
- Weak compliance policies: AML/KYC, detection of risky behavior, or lack of proper procedures.
- Opaque ownership structure: Dual jurisdictions, opaque beneficiaries, and high risks of sanctions.
- Technical risks: Lack of IT system certifications or lack of integration with regulatory systems.
- Project analysis
We audit the ownership structure, business models, technical and compliance aspects.
- Document preparation
Our specialists prepare a full package of documents, including memoranda, IT descriptions, AML/KYC policies and other regulatory requirements.
- Submission support
We submit documents to the regulator, respond to inquiries, prepare explanatory memoranda, and organize communication.
- Post-license support
After obtaining a license, we help:
- conduct compliance audits;
- update policies in accordance with changes;
- interact with payment providers and partners.
Obtaining a poker license is a multi-component process that requires a strategic approach, a deep understanding of local and international requirements, and high-quality legal support. In 2025, the poker market continues to grow, and only companies that are properly prepared will gain access to this promising segment.
Calculate the cost of services
1 question
Do you need help in collecting and preparing documents for obtaining a license?
2 question
Do you need help choosing a jurisdiction to obtain a license?
3 question
Are you ready to consider buying a company with an already valid gambling license?
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