Top 20 Bookmakers With License in 2025
Lina Almans
29 January 2024
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You need the best and safest bookies in 2025. And we’ve got you covered. We’ve ranked the top 20 licensed bookmakers, so you can bet with peace of mind and security. These sportsbooks have it all: legal licenses, fair terms, and reliable services. Ready to discover top 20 bookmakers with license?
- 1xBet – Curaçao License
- Stake – Curaçao License (authorized to operate with different URLs in countries such as Mexico or the UK)
- Megapari – Anjouan License (Comoros)
- Betwinner – Curaçao License
- Melbet – Curaçao License
- 1win – Curaçao License
- Bet365 – UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) License, Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) License
- Pinnacle – Curaçao License, MGA License
- Leon – Curaçao License
- Bet-at-home – MGA License
- GG.bet – Curaçao License
- 1xBit – Curaçao License
- Betandyou – Curaçao License
- Betsson – MGA License
- OlyBet – Licensed by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board
- 888sport – UKGC License, MGA License, Gibraltar Licensing Authority (GLA) License
- Pin-Up – Curaçao License
- 22Bet – Curaçao License
- Mostbet – Curaçao License
- Vbet – UKGC License, MGA License, Curaçao License, Ukrainian Gambling and Lottery Commission (KRAIL) License
A licensed bookmaker is a bookmaker who has a license to carry out its activities, issued by an authorized organization.
What Is a Gambling License & Why It Matters
A gambling license is a stamp of approval that a bookie gets from a gambling authority. It shows that the bookie is legit, which means that the bookie offers quality services and protects your rights as a player. Each license has a unique number that you can check to verify its validity. You can find the licensing details at the bottom of the bookie’s website, along with other legal info. An example from our top 20 bookmakers with license:

Types of Gambling Licenses
Gambling licenses are not all the same. They vary depending on the gambling authority that issues them. Some are more reputable and strict than others.
Here are some of the major ones:
- UKGC (UK Gambling Commission): The ultimate gambling watchdog in the UK since 2007. It regulates all gambling except spread betting and runs the national lottery. It sets high standards and strict rules for safe and fair betting in the UK and beyond.
- MGA (Malta Gaming Authority): The trailblazer of online gambling regulation since 2001. It governs online gambling in Malta and protects vulnerable people and children. It ensures the integrity of games and devices and has licensed thousands of online betting sites.
- KGC (Kahnawake Gaming Commission): The respected gambling authority in the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake since 1999. It does not license bookies that take US players.
- CGCB (Curaçao Gaming Control Board): The leading eGaming regulator that licenses gambling companies in Curaçao. It is ideal for startups, as it has a simple and fast licensing process. It promotes responsible gambling and fair treatment of players and has a section to check the licensing info of any bookie.
Note: Some sportsbooks also have licenses from specific countries where they operate. For example, Estonia or Ukraine. These licenses may have different rules and standards than the ones mentioned above.
Why Gambling Licenses Are a Must-Have For Bookmaker?
A gambling license is a sign of trust and quality for a bookie. It’s the only way to be sure you will get paid if you win your bet. A bookie with a valid license lowers the risk of losing your money. Besides, licensed bookmakers follow a specific code of conduct – or else they lose their license.
How to Validate a Betting License?
As we said before, a betting license is not just a fancy logo. Before you place your bets, you need to make sure that the bookie you choose has a valid gambling license. But how can you tell if the license is real and valid? Here are some easy steps to follow:
Look for the license info: The bookie’s site should display the license info at the footer or the About Us/T&C pages. It should have the authority’s name and license number.
Click on the licensing info: Click on the licensing logo to go to the official site of the licensing authority.
Find the bookie on the list: Search for the bookie’s name or number on the list of licensed operators on the authority’s site.
Review the license details: Check the status, expiry date, and conditions of the license on the authority’s site.
Contact the authority if needed: If you have any questions or complaints about the bookie, you can email the authority directly. Their contact info should be on their site.