Even licensed casinos sometimes end up turning into scam and running away with funds belonging to gamblers who played on their platform, so i personally expect nothing less from unlicensed casinos, i see absolutely no reason why gamblers should be playing on a casino that is not licensed when there are several licensed and reputable casinos around, and by licensed and reputable, I mean casinos that have stood the test of time and proven themselves to be legitimate and serious with the gambling business..
This days gambling licenses don't translate into reputation and even some casinos that a well licensed can turn out to be scam and unlicensed one operating faithfully building reputation that can transcend a wide range of things and bonuses are given to players with 0 wagering requirements.
And 100% payouts.
You are definitely right, this days, personally value partnerships more than licenses, it takes a casino with good reputation and seriousness in their business to partner with other big and reputable companies and individuals with significance..
We have many of such casinos on this forum with stake being one I am so sure of, there are others but won't mention names since I am not so sure which and which aside stake.
Partnerships is another way casinos can build their reputation as well as truth in the gambling society or community, aside the fact that casino mostly are not allowed to operate with a license, I would say that license means nothing anymore.