Gambling Laws Around the World

Gambling is deeply controversial. Depending on where you go in the world, gambling is either embraced by governments and society or frowned upon.

Some say it’s harmful because players can develop gambling-related disorders. Others feel forms of gambling, such as sports betting, damage sports: just think of how the spectre of match-fixing can hang over events. 

Those in favour of gambling see it as merely a form of entertainment and even take part in gambling, expecting to lose, rather than win. Pro-gambling authorities argue about all the tax dollars that taxing gambling operators and activities can raise.

It’s a simple argument that gets others considering the legalization of certain forms of gambling, such as casino gaming online. Below is a look at the gambling laws of several countries. 

Canada

The Canadian Criminal Code outlaws gambling and gambling-related activities, but contains the exception to this broad prohibition that individual provinces may control and regulate their own gambling. 

This means gambling is legal if it’s conducted through state-operated services. Depending on the province, you’ll find that betting at racetracks and traditional casinos is legal.

Is gambling online state-regulated? This is where Ontario has broken the mould, as the province launched its own regulated iGaming market in April 2022. This now allows private iGaming operators to obtain licenses from the province’s Alcohol and Gaming Commission to operate in the province. 

USA

Like its North American neighbours, Canada, the USA is another country where gambling laws will differ depending on which state you’re in. Some states, such as Hawaii and Utah, are completely opposed to gambling.

Others allow offline casino gaming and sports betting, but are still debating the legalization of online casino gaming and online sports betting. 

Some, like Nevada, allow online sports betting but not online casino gaming, even though Vegas is widely regarded as the home of gambling. Then there are others, including New Jersey, Connecticut, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, that are on board with online poker, online casinos, and sports betting.

As a result, there are now loads of casino bonus options out there for players. But before taking part in any gambling activities across state borders, Americans should always check the laws of their state of origin. Gambling in other states can still be unlawful if the player’s home state outlaws it.

The UK

The UK is possibly one of the most liberal nations in the world when it comes to gambling. Although some may disapprove of gambling, in general, the UK has a tolerant attitude towards it.

As of April 2024, 48% of respondents in research by consumer and market data company Statista had partaken in gambling activity in the four weeks before the research.

Sports betting and casino gaming have been around for some time now, both offline and online. Online forms were also quick to take off, and online gambling is common. Thirty-eight percent of the respondents in the Statista research had conducted their gambling online. 

China 

China has a curious attitude towards gambling. In mainland China, all offline gambling is outlawed except for two types of lotteries, since the state doesn’t consider lotteries a form of gambling.

Even video gaming, although perfectly legal and popular, endures scrutiny from the government, which has introduced some tough new regulation into the gaming sector. 

However, colonization has made the Hong Kong and Macau regions of China a little more tolerant of gambling. You’ll find casinos and sports betting offline available in Macao, but in Hong Kong, where the state wants more control, only betting on horse racing and football, and playing the lottery, is legal. 

Strangely, China is slightly more lenient when it comes to online gambling. Playing lotteries and betting on sports online is legal in many countries.

Generally, however, China’s strict gambling laws are leading citizens to break the law and risk the severe consequences of doing so by gambling on the sites of overseas operators or gambling at establishments outside of China. Breaking gambling laws in China can incur a fine and even a prison sentence.

South Africa

South Africa allows bingo, sports betting, casinos and lotteries. These are only legal if the operator holds a license from a provincial gambling board for online operations and if the player is at least 18 years of age. 

Players may bet on sports online with a licensed South African bookmaker, but they are not permitted to play at the sites of overseas operators within the country. Generally, online gambling is illegal unless conducted within the terms and conditions of South African law. 

Gambling, like many other things, has its supporters and its detractors. While some view it as nothing more than harmless entertainment, others consider it an activity that could harm society. Some believe that gambling can, through taxation, contribute to society. Quite simply, though, gambling will always be controversial.