Online gambling is on the rise. More and more people are discovering gambling websites, and creating accounts, so that they can enjoy their favorite games. However, despite first hitting the scenes in the 90s, the mass popularity of iGaming is relatively recent. That means there are many people who are not aware of how the industry works. There are certainly some reliable and reputable online casinos on the current market. If you are interested to try some casino games at Christchurch Casino for example, you will have a good time, considering the website’s stellar reputation. However, there are many gambling sites without such a great rep, that still attract fans. So, it is important to know how to separate the good from the bad. Licenses: What are They The simplest way to determine a gambling website’s reputation is to look for a license. Licenses are stamps of approval, issued by gambling commissions worldwide. These organizations are responsible for testing a casino’s reliability. They try different games, look over odds, check on the bonuses, and read through the terms, in order to make sure that everything is on the up and up.  Gambling associations play an important role in keeping the iGaming industry safe and secure. It is in no small part due to these organizations that gambling websites have begun implementing better safety and security policies, which has led to eliminating spam accounts, and greatly reducing the risk of cybercrime in the gambling online sector.  Domestic vs. International A lot of people make a big to do about the difference between a domestic and an international license. For those who don’t know, a domestic license is issued by a gambling commission that exists within a country’s borders. An international one is, as you might have guessed, one that is issued by a country outside of the place where the player might be.  International licenses usually work for online casinos available in countries that don’t allow businesses to operate within their borders, but have no laws preventing residents from playing at online casinos. While many people will tell you that domestic licenses are better, the fact is there isn’t any evidence to back that claim. In fact, in many cases, international licenses have proven more reliable and trustworthy. There are a few licenses that stand above the rest. Among them, one of the most famous ones is the Malta Gaming Association license. As you can probably guess, this organization is headquartered in Malta, and they put a lot of effort into ensuring that the casinos they license are among the top-rated and most respected.  Key Takeaways By no means are we suggesting that a license should be your only reason for choosing a casino, or that all licensed casinos are automatically great. Instead, what we are trying to say in this article is that licensed casinos should be the starting point. If a casino operates without a license, that means it hasn’t passed the basic test for reliability. Licensed casinos are safe and reliable, so when you are looking to play online, that is where you should start. The post Licenses and Online Casinos: An Important Explanation appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.