When it comes to international online gambling, there are lots of things to be discussed. Because each country has its own interpretation of the topic, there is no way to convince all nations to unanimously legalize or ban it. So, some countries of the world will promote online gambling, while others will work tirelessly to outlaw it completely. Furthermore, various jurisdictions within a single country can take wildly diverse approaches to internet gambling. The United States serves as a very good example of this, as not all states within the country follow the same online gambling laws.
Some of the concerns formulated by countries that are firmly against online gambling are based on a grain of truth, such as the ones regarding how safe players are when they play casino games online, in a time where cyberattacks are happening more frequently than ever. However, new technologies can now solve most of these concerns focused on the safety and problems of online casinos and make the virtual space a safer one for the players.
Below, we are going to take a look at how different regions of the globe handle online gambling. This information can be very useful if you are looking to start playing casino games or even opening an online casino in one of these regions.
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Europe
The European gambling market is expected to grow by 9.2% by 2025, which means the industry continues to be on an ascending path. Starting in 2017, the European Commission took the decision to step out and stop overseeing gambling regulations, which means countries are free to regulate internet gambling however they choose, and it becomes the responsibility of their national courts.
However, regulatory bodies in each country still need to follow two rules:
- Know your customer requirements: online casino operators are required to get proof of identification from the user until they are allowed to deposit money
- Fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive: to limit the danger of crime and money laundering, this directive tries to assess all players before they place bets.
Online gambling is legal in most European countries, with some exceptions. In France, for example, only online poker is legal, whereas Monaco does not allow any type of online gambling at all. Similar to Monaco, Switzerland, Poland, and Lichtenstein also prohibit online casinos from operating inside the country.
Generally speaking, Europe is one of the best regions to launch a gambling platform or play gambling games, as most regulators have set transparent rules in place and supervise the sector closely.
Canada
Canada’s online gambling laws are very straightforward, but some regions in the country take it upon themselves to regulate the market on their own terms. Quebec is one example, as it considers itself a sovereign nation and wants to regulate the local market alone. They now have about 350 online casino websites available.
Only those organizations that have secured a license from provincial governments are allowed to operate internet gambling platforms, according to Canadian criminal law. People are not permitted to participate in online gambling activities offered by casinos that are not licensed by the jurisdiction.
North America
Despite the fact that internet gambling is completely legal in the United States, there are a few things to consider.
The 58-year-old Federal Wire Act prohibits citizens of the United States from betting on sports online across state lines. Within the states, gambling games, including slots, lotteries, poker, and bingo, as well as sports betting, can be played without limits. For a long time, there was a lot of controversy around this act, but the US Justice Department clarified in 2011 that it was only meant to regulate sports events, not casino games.
Some states have online gaming laws that allow online casinos set into place, while others don’t, which creates the discrepancy we were talking about at the beginning of the article. Oregon, for example, does allow horse racing and sports betting, but not online casinos. Indiana does not allow online casinos either, whereas California still does not have clear legislation in place.
South America
Online Gambling is in a gray area for many countries in South America. While some don’t have any for of regulation, others have outdated laws that are yet to be reviewed by the governments. The luckiest region in South America is Colombia, where online gambling was regulated back in 2016. In Argentina, online gambling is regulated by each province individually, whereas Brazil prohibits online gambling for all its citizens.
Asia-Pacific
The Asia-Pacific region is the second-largest online gambling market in the world and is expected to increase by another 7.31% by the end of this year. Similar to Europe, all countries in the region are allowed to regulate their local gambling market as they wish.
While Thailand allows online gambling, players are not allowed to deposit or withdraw funds online, so they still need to go to land-based casinos to get their money. In Australia, on the other hand, it is estimated that about 80% of adults like to gamble both online and offline, so the country has worked to put out a very well-designed Interactive Gambling Act that was signed in 2001.
New Zealand is another country in the region that has regulated online casinos for all its citizens. If you are planning an unforgettable trip to Japan, it’s worth noting that, just as in China, the Philippines, and Vietnam, most online gambling activities are banned in the country.
Middle East
Unsurprisingly, the majority if countries in the Middle East do not allow online gambling or have banned all gambling activities entirely. However, this does not mean people don’t register at foreign casinos in order to enjoy their favorite games.
Online gambling is prohibited in countries such as Algeria, Iran, Libya, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Morocco, on the other hand, has legalized almost all forms of online gambling, whereas Lebanon limits online gambling activities to ports betting and national lotteries.