A cabinetmaker can create an electronic license that governs 1) components allowed to be connected to a wagering game machine and 2) functionality enabled on the wagering game machine. The electronic license (cabinet license) is bound to a wagering game machine cabinet. The cabinetmaker can load the electronic license into a secure memory area bound to the cabinet of a wagering game machine. A process (application, daemon, etc.) can perform various operations that ensure the wagering game machine complies with the cabinet license. The executable code that implements this process (license compliance code) can execute to disable components and/or functionality that do not comport with the electronic license, can execute to place the wagering game machine in a limited operation state, can execute to generate a notification of the license violation and freeze the wagering game machine, etc.