Re: Sportsbook Without a License

I heard that most big and established betting sites/companies started without licenses. They were able to grow and become licensed and now controls the industry. I know one or two by name.

However, license has become almost a must these days if you're ever gonna be taken seriously in your sportsbook business.

Most software providers won't even think of releasing their software to you without a license.

Payment processors are simply a no-go area without a license.

Is it still possible to start and run a Gambling site without a License?

Now, talking in users perspectives-

  Can a Sportsbook still be considered legitimate and okay without a license?

  Do you know any operating (with consistent payout and good customer cares) without a license?

  Can you bet with a betting site that has no license, maybe because they're starting new and currently has no money for licensing fee?

Thanks in advance for your opinions

it is not only possible to not have a license and run a gambling website, but many relatively popular sites
have been doing it for years without any problem, even the giants like Primedice or Bitsler only got licensed after some period of time
with provably fair gaming it is NOT 100% necessary to have a license, especially with a dice site or a small casino, blockchain based, for example
sportsbooks is a completely different story, usually they require a license to operate, but it depends on the laws of the countries
some sites have casino+sportsbook , like betking, for example, other big players like bitdice are planning to introduce one soon
so it really is up to you to look for some random Curacao license or not, don't think this licensing body will help you in any ways if you have a dispute with a casino
but it is just my IMHO

I think the licensing bodies are just there to get their own fair share of the spoil Grin

well partially true, they take some good money for their licenses,for example:
https://fastoffshore.com/what-we-do/packaged-services/online-gambling-license-in-curacao/ - "The Curaçao Online E-Gaming Businessbenefits, Package is available for an initial set up cost of only US $19,850"
https://www.curacaowebhosting.com/2017/05/23/cost-gambling-license-curacao/

but they do provide benefits like lower taxes, regulating bodies
and as a player ,at least you know who to contact if any dispute arises

These are the advantage if you do stick out on gambling sites that are licensed which you are somehow secured if there are any issues yet same as said you do know who to contact
but most popular gambling sites or sportsbook nowadays doesn't really even have the licensed and same as said above.It doesn't really matter because reputation would already be enough to convince me to play or make bets.

indeed, before sending money to a site I check many things, read about it
and license is , probably , one of the last things to influence my decision
but again, most of the trusted sites have a Curacao license and I only bet at 100% provably fair sites