Online Gambling Country Restrictions

• Online Gambling Country Restrictions 2019
• Online Gambling Country Restrictions 2020
• Online Gambling Country Restrictions Near Me
• Online Gambling Country Restrictions List

Whether you live in a country where online gambling is illegal or fly to a country, VPN is the only safe way to access an online casino that’s blocked in your country. Most gambling websites check the IP address for incoming traffic in accordance with international law and deny entry from servers in countries where online gambling is prohibited.

International internet gambling law is a subject of immense complexity, because every nation has its own
take on the subject. Some parts of the world embrace online gambling while others do everything they
can to ban it entirely. On top of that, different jurisdictions within a single nation sometimes take radically
different approaches to internet gaming.

Online Gambling Country Restrictions 2019

The United States is a great example of how complex gambling law can be within a single nation. Not only
are the federal laws poorly written and difficult to interpret, but individual states have their own laws as
well. In some states, online gambling is 100% legal and available to anyone inside state lines. In others, the
authorities are still trying to seize the assets of legitimate gambling sites.

• Gibraltar and Malta are two European countries which called “tax paradise” for online gambling games as there are no limits for its development. Malta was the first country that regulated the law of online gambling. Nowadays the popular online casinos, poker rooms, and betting offices use the licenses of this country.
• The grey areas of online gambling In Vietnam, all forms of gambling are illegal, except for bets placed in casinos. This includes online gambling but there are some instances where Vietnamese police are unable to prevent internationally licensed companies from being accessed online from inside Vietnam.

Our goal with this part of our website is to take this massive subject and break it down for our readers.
We start this page by explaining some of the basics of online gambling legislation and regulation, which are useful to understand if you’re interested in
betting or gaming online. There is then some information on the gambling laws in various regions around the world. We’ve also included links to additional
pages where you can learn more about the legal status of both offline and online gambling in specific countries.

This page is divided into the following sections, to make it easy to find the specific region you may be looking for.

Online Gambling Legislation and Regulation: The Basics

The most important thing for you to understand about online gambling legislation and regulation is how it affects you. There are two key points to consider
in this respect.

1. It is rare for it to be explicitly illegal to USE an online gambling site
2. Licensed and regulated gambling sites are BY FAR the safest

The first point here is hopefully one that will put your mind at rest if you are worried about the legalities of gambling online, and the potential for
repercussions. The fact is that you are very unlikely to breaking the law simply by betting or gaming online. The vast majority of online gambling legislation
is target squarely at the companies that operate sites, and not the individuals who use them. Of course, laws do vary from one region to the next as we’ve
explained. It’s important to know your local laws do prohibit you from gambling online, which is precisely we’ve provided the relevant much information in
this section

In relation to the second point, most sites are licensed and regulated in at least one jurisdiction. To obtain the necessary license, they will have to meet
specific criteria as laid out by the licensing authority within the relevant jurisdiction. Operators will generally advertise details of their licensing, as it helps
to reassure potential customers that are legal and regulated. It basically lends some legitimacy to their operations. That’s what you’ll often see something
like the following on gambling websites.

You should know, however, that the actual legitimacy of licensing authorities varies quite significantly. The simple fact of the matter is some agencies are
much more stringent than others. For example, the state of Nevada puts any potential online poker site through the wringer before it issues a license to
operate. So a Nevada license has genuine sign validity. Other gambling authorities basically sell licenses to anyone with enough money, so these don’t
really mean much at all.

With that in mind, we decided to put together a comprehensive guide to licensing authorities around the world. We want you to know what it really means
when a site says it has a license to do business. You can use this information to assist in the search for a safe gambling site.

You should also understand why online gambling regulation is so important. Its primary purpose is to protect YOU, the consumers. You should be able to
gamble online with the confidence that you will be treated fairly not be exposed to dishonest or crooked practices. Thankfully, the established and
reputable licensing authorities ensure that you can do exactly that. They impose a strict code of conduct on the licensees, who have to adhere to the
necessary regulations if they are to maintain their licenses. That’s why properly licensed and regulated sites are the safest options.

For a more in-depth explanation of this subject, please see our page on how online gambling is regulated

Gambling Laws in North America

There are several countries in North America that have wildly different laws relating to gambling.
The United States is obviously the biggest country in this region, and as we’ve already mentioned
the laws here are very confusing. This is partly down to the fact that there are so many states,
each with their own attitude to gambling, but there is more to it than that. There is just a distinct
lack of clarity in so much of the relevant legislation. There is also much debate about whether
US laws actually apply to gambling sites that operate outside the region.

Online Gambling Country Restrictions 2020

Things are not much better in Canada either. There is legislation in place that has been passed by
central government, but each individual province has the authority to regulate gambling in their
own regions. As with the US, the use of overseas sites is very much a grey area.

We’ve provided additional pages that explain the relevant legal situations in these two countries in much
more detail, and we’ve also covered some other countries in North America too.

Gambling Laws in Europe and the UK

Europe also has many countries with different approaches to the legality of online gambling.
Some countries outright ban it, while others have formally legalized it and put proper regulatory
frameworks in place. The United Kingdom is the best example of the latter. All forms of online
betting and gaming are completely legal, and very well regulated. Any site wishing to provide its
services to UK residents must meet requirements set out by the Gambling Commission. This
organization was established in 2005, replacing the existing Gaming Board.

There are other European countries with similar setups to the UK too. France, for example, has a
strict licensing process, but does allow overseas companies to accept French customers if they
meet the necessary criteria. For some reason, though, all forms of casino games are currently
banned. They at least have clear laws though, whereas things are decidedly murky in other countries.

Online Gambling Country Restrictions Near Me

We’ve provide a detailed overview of European gambling laws, and also information on the laws in each of the following specific countries.

Gambling Laws in Australia/Oceania

The laws for Australian gambling companies are very strict. They’re allowed to offer some gambling
services to Australian residents, but currently only traditional sports betting and lottery-style
games are permitted. Live sports betting is not allowed, and nor are casino games. There are no
laws that prevent Australians from using overseas sites though, as these fall outside the jurisdiction
of Australia’s government.

In New Zealand, unlike so many other regions, there is clear and precise legislation relating to
online gambling. The country passed a new act in 2003 to make sure that their laws were explicit and
easy to understand. Unusually, the act very plainly stated that the use of overseas sites is entirely
legal. Such sites are, however, banned from advertising in New Zealand.

You can read more about the country specific laws in this part of the world on the following pages.

Online Gambling Country Restrictions List

Gambling Laws in Asia

There is very little consistency in the gambling laws throughout Asia. This is perhaps
not surprising, given the size of the continent and the number of different countries
it’s home to. Compiling an overview of Asian gambling laws would be a futile
exercise, but we have provided pages covering each of the following countries
separately.

Gambling Laws in South America

The general approach to gambling throughout South America is reasonably liberal.
There are restrictions on certain types of betting and gaming in some countries in the
region though. For example, casino games are prohibited in Brazil. Our guide to the
gambling laws in South America explains about these restrictions in more detail, and
also covers any relevant online gambling legislation.

Gambling Laws in Africa

Few countries in Africa have passed any kind of legislation relating on online gambling,
although South Africa is one notable exception. Land based gambling is another
matter though, with various forms fully legalized throughout the region. There are
casino venues, for example, in several countries. We’ve provided details on the various
gambling laws throughout Africa on the following page.

We recommend that you have at least passing familiarity with the legal climate with regards to gambling in
your location. A working knowledge of the law in your area may help to keep you safe from any legal trouble,
and will make it easier for you to find the sites that cater for customers in your part of the world.

Please be aware, though, that nothing contained in this part of GamblingSites.org should be considered as
actual legal advice. We’ve carried out extensive research and consulted experts when compiling all of
this information, but we are not qualified to provide legal advice. If you have any concerns about the
legalities of gambling online where you live, it would be best to speak to a licensed lawyer.

Understanding the legal implications of various online gambling laws as they pertain to their individual countries provides a comprehensive look at global attitudes toward gambling. Whether countries are relaxed or conservative regarding gambling and gambling access, having one quick directory can offer bettors with a clearer international viewpoint on gaming. Ensuring the legality of legitimate online casinos is our forte. Therefore, we cover every aspect, general and detailed, of online gambling laws and complementary gambling laws as governed by each country.

US Online Casino Gambling Laws

Here we will share insightful information on the legality and legitimacy of online casinos serving Americans. The following series of pages will assist in guiding gamblers toward understanding how and why legal online casinos operate in the U.S.A. via current regulations. Several states have legalized state-regulated online casino gambling and offer this type of gambling entertainment to their residents and visitors. Legally sanctioned offshore online casinos are also acceptable and secure destinations for Americans to enjoy online gambling entertainment as long as they hold the proper credentials, licensing and compliance verifications.

There are state and federal US gambling laws in place to prevent U.S. gamblers from participating in unsanctioned and unregulated online casino gambling. Illegitimate casinos that are predatory or questionable often pose as authentic operations but then wreak havoc on the financial well-being of unsuspecting patrons, as well as, illegally capture and use their customers’ private and personal information for theft and fraud. With that in mind, it is crucial for players to remain aware of the legalities concerning USA online casino gambling and the corresponding relevant laws in order to make informed decisions regarding their involvement in any type of gambling entertainment.

Federal Gambling Laws In the United States

Several USA gambling laws affect the climate of all American gambling offers including online casinos. These laws provide legitimacy for various gambling forms in the United States. Without them, gaming would have no structure and devolve back to the wild-west traditions of early American gambling. These are a few of the laws paired with brief introductions that are further examined in separate pages.

UIGEA – A USA online gambling law which prohibits banks from knowingly approving and processing transactions related to online gambling. This law is often mistaken for restricting player activity online but does not do so in any way but rather oversees how gambling related transactions are processed.

Federal Wire Act of 1961 – A law originally used to curb the illegal organized crime manipulation of domestic sports betting and thus prohibited US based bookmakers from accepting domestic sports wagers and betting information via wire communication services, i.e. telegrams and telephone calls. It has since been the most debated law due to its interpreted jurisdiction under different US government administrations.

DOJ Legal Opinion on Wire Act – In 2011, the DOJ released a memorandum to the public regarding the Federal Wire Act’s modern implications. Previously, the DOJ interpreted the prohibition to include any domestic or foreign online gambling businesses, whereas, in 2011 the DOJ announced that the restrictions in this law only apply to domestic-based online sportsbooks and sports wagering.

RAWA – A U.S. bill that hopes to reverse the DOJ’s 2011 formal opinion on the Federal Wire Act. This bill aims to “restore” the Act to federally illegalize all forms of online gambling to Americans, even if regulated on a state level.

PASPA – An inactive US gambling law which only legalized domestic US-based sportsbooks in four states while prohibiting the rest of the country from that offering. The law had no effect on online casino or poker gambling and does not affect online sportsbook gambling. This law was thrown off the books in May of 2018 by the Supreme Court of the United States dramatically changing the landscape of USA gambling.

UK Online Casino Gambling Laws

Concerning the United Kingdom’s online gambling offers, citizens are eligible to access domestic and offshore-hosted online gambling portals for casinos, poker, and sports wagering. Physically-based and online-hosted gambling operations are all regulated by the U.K. Gambling Commission which must obey overseeing laws set in place by the Government of the United Kingdom and Parliament. Therefore, it should be understood that for gambling institutions to legitimately operate they must follow all policies and regulations provided to them by the UK Gambling Commission or otherwise face legal action against their brand. Referrals to reputable UK casinos can be found here.

Canada Online Casino Gambling Laws

Canada regulates their domestically regulated online gambling businesses and platforms making online casino gambling, poker, and sports betting accessible at the drop of a hat. Canada also has laws in place to allows Canadian players to access to licensed offshore online Canadian casinos. Canada’s gambling laws are separated by criminal law which is federally imposed and regional laws which vary by province and territory.

Each region has its own gambling regulators and departments which vary in acceptance of legal gambling forms, i.e. casino gambling which includes poker, lotteries, sports betting, and horse race betting all of which are legal or illegal at the discretion of the area.

South Africa Casino Gambling Laws

A comprehensive understanding of South Africa’s online gambling market requires in-depth explanation. In South Africa online gambling is illegal to offer and participate on. Online gambling as defined by south African gambling laws pertains to online casino gambling, online bingo, and online poker. In addition, South African gambling laws ban offshore operators from offering online gambling and prevent domestic businesses from obtaining online gambling licenses.

For this reason, online casinos in South Africa are considered a play at your own risk game. However, demand for online gambling has not decreased, even after threats by the Government to seize winnings.

Gambling is permitted in South Africa in the form of physical and online sports wagering. South Africa’s racetracks are famously known and are capable of taking physical bets. Online sports betting and race betting are perfectly legal online gambling forms available to the country and its residents, so long as those online platforms are licensed by the government and follow strict regulations to only offer sports wagering and horse and dog race betting.

Australia Online Casino Gambling Laws

Australian gambling laws are governed in a similar manner to the UK, US, and Canada by implementing gambling regulations on the federal level and at the individual state level. In the past Australia has allowed both physical brick and mortar gambling as well as online gambling, except from its own licensed operators; However, this has changed since new online gambling regulations require Australian online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker sites to not only be licensed by an outside country but also by the Australian government.

This new requirement has caused a lot of operators to pull out of the market until they can meet Australia’s licensing requirements. At the moment, physical casino, poker, and sports gambling are legal but offshore online gambling remains illegal until the operator is licensed by two jurisdictions, one of which must be Australia.

Philippine Online Casino Gambling Laws

Philippine gambling laws are governed by the Philippine National Government with some exceptions for regional laws in special economic zones like the Cagayan Freeport zone. Previous Philippine gambling laws established regulatory agencies, consolidated numerous related laws into one framework, and authorized specific forms of gambling while creating penalties for illegal gambling operations. The Philippines permits lotteries, sports gambling, horse race betting, casino gaming, and more but have income threshold requirements and exclude government workers and their families, students, and military personnel from engaging in domestic options.

Now the Philippines regulates an entire gambling industry which encompasses land, sea, and online Philippine casino gaming operations. The Philippines does not allow citizens to engage in PH online casinos licensed within the country but there are no laws for Filipinos against enjoying licensed offshore online Philippine casino gambling.