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Licensing & Compliance

This page covers two different things people sometimes mix up: what SmartFit itself is (and isn’t), and what licensing we look for in the casino operators we write about.

What SmartFit is

SmartFit is an editorial and affiliate content site. We publish articles about online casino platforms, bonus terms, provider software, security practices, and related player-finance topics. We are not a gambling operator, we do not accept bets or wagers, we do not process payments, and we do not hold player funds. Because of that, we don’t hold (and don’t need) a gambling operating license ourselves. We operate as a publisher.

What licensing we look for in the operators we cover

We write mainly for a Canadian audience, and the reality of that market is that most Canadian players (outside the small number of provinces with their own regulated online gambling markets) use casino sites licensed elsewhere. The operators we write about are typically licensed by one of the following:

  • The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
  • The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)
  • The Government of Curaçao

These are not Canadian provincial regulators. We’re stating that plainly here rather than implying otherwise. Licensing standards, oversight, and player-protection requirements differ between these bodies, and we try to note an operator’s specific licensing jurisdiction when we write about it, rather than treating “licensed” as a single uniform status.

What licensing does and doesn’t tell you

A license from any of the above means an operator is subject to some level of regulatory oversight in that jurisdiction: rules around fair play, dispute handling, and financial conduct. It is not the same as a guarantee, and it’s not an endorsement from us. If you have a dispute with a licensed operator, the licensing body is generally the right place to escalate it. See our Raise a Concern page for more on that.

A note on taxes

Licensing and taxation are separate questions. For Canadian players, the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) general position is that gambling winnings are generally not taxable income for recreational players. There’s a narrow, fact-specific exception for people who gamble as a business or profession. This is general information, not professional tax advice; if you have a real question about your own situation, contact the CRA directly or speak with a qualified accountant. We go into more detail on this in our article “Do You Pay Taxes on Casino Winnings in Canada?”.