A Global Perspective on Gambling Laws

Is it lawful for a corporation situated in that nation or territory to lawfully provide its services to players from that country or region? That’s the simplest way to boil down the complex topic of gambling’s legality. Would it be possible to do it online?

Assuming it is possible, there is probably a regulatory structure that permits businesses to legitimately earn money by providing gaming services.

When all other avenues have been exhausted, it may be possible to play at an operator’s site that is based in a different country. Next, we need to know whether the players have the freedom to do so.

In countries without a central authority to oversee the industry, gambling is often outlawed by the government. Because of this, gamers are willing to take more risks while gambling online at casinos since they find a method to circumvent the restrictions.

Due to the absence of a regulating agency, player protection is nonexistent in these marketplaces. One way for players to find out about a casino’s quality and reputation is by reading reviews on review websites and talking to other players.

Taking a look at the state of affairs in each major market across the world is time to move on.

United Kingdom

The UK Gambling Commission ensures that gambling on the internet is both legal and regulated. Online casinos are subject to the same rigorous regulations as any other kind of gaming establishment, and this organization makes sure that all players are safe and fair.

Any online casino with a license from the UK Gambling Commission is open for business to citizens of the United Kingdom.

UK There is no player protection while playing at unregistered offshore-based casinos online, and players have little recourse if the casinos withhold their money or payments. The typical marketing for these establishments is “Non-Gamestop Casinos,” and its stated goal is to recruit problem gamblers who have already joined up with the Gamestop organization to abstain from internet gambling. Ignore any temptation you may have to play at one of these casinos; the UK government has little power to stop this disgusting activity.

To protect themselves from unscrupulous operators, players from countries without laws might choose a casino that has a UKGC or MGA license. If the casino accepts players from other nations, this is a positive indicator for those players since it shows they are already following the rules and are probably an honest place to play.

Consider a nation that allows casinos regulated by the UK Gambling Commission to operate freely due to its relaxed gambling regulations. What follows is an analysis of the other major economies’ approaches to gambling regulation.

New Zealand

In New Zealand, internet gambling is overseen by the Gambling Commission. Online gambling is legal in New Zealand, however, residents may only play at casinos that are located and regulated outside of the country. The enforcement of these rules is within the purview of the Department of Internal Affairs.

This implies that players from New Zealand may join any online casino they choose, regardless of licensing status, since no casino blacklists this country. Many gambling establishments accept New Zealand dollars (NZD) as payment since the country is a significant market.

Since there is no need for local licensure, the situation is very comparable to that in Canada—if not better.

But because there is no player protection, gamblers can only rely on how each casino treats them. This is why players should always check the casino’s reputation to make sure it’s reputable before playing there.

Online casinos that accept players from New Zealand also often have generous bonus offers. The Mirax Casino no deposit bonus, for instance, lets you get fantastic benefits without having to put down any money at all. Take advantage of these promos to test out the casino’s games and services risk-free, all while increasing your chances of winning real money.

Philippines

Pagcor is the agency in charge of overseeing gambling in the Philippines that takes place over the internet. Only online casinos with a PAGCOR license are open to Filipino players. Or the ones owned by the agency; the islands are home to no less than 46 casinos.

While Filipino players are permitted to gamble at offshore casinos, they are not authorized to use services offered by casinos and sportsbooks established in the Philippines.

As long as the operator isn’t headquartered in the nation, the 2012 court verdict confirmed that Filipinos may legally place bets online according to Philippine gambling rules.

Although it’s not a hard and fast rule, casinos with UKGC licenses often avoid the Philippines.

Fascinatingly, fifty or more Filipino enterprises cater to Chinese gamers online. In the Philippines, this sector is quite important.

The United States of America

Before the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) outlawed internet gambling, the United States was a mostly uncontrolled space where offshore bookies and casinos made a killing. The market did not begin to open up until 2018, after the federal court’s decision on PASPA.

The United States’ regulated gambling business was and is spearheaded by sportsbooks. Plenty of brick-and-mortar casinos dot the landscape, particularly on Indian reservations, where gamblers may enjoy a night of nonstop action. However, as various interest groups fight for monopoly status, internet casino gaming is subject to far stronger regulation.

By the end of 2023, only six US states—Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia—permitted internet casinos to legally provide their services. The year 2024 will see the addition of Rhode Island as the seventh state. Virtually every online casino has a primary focus on sports betting.

Like players in regulated jurisdictions, gamers in unregulated states still use offshore operators to switch things up and play games from various developers. Crypto will soon replace fiat cash as the primary method of funding and funding offshore casinos from the United States.

U.S. players will never be accepted by casinos authorized by the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority. Offshore casinos, often holding a Curacao “license,” are the only ones that accomplish this, along with casinos licensed in one of six US states.

Importantly, games developed by Evolution and others may only be accessed by licensed casinos, which is a major problem for live dealer gamers. When it comes to live dealer areas, offshore casinos seldom disappoint. Even when they do, the games are proprietary and of very poor quality, so it’s not worth your time to play them.

Conclusion

Some nations have outright banned internet gambling while others have enacted limits and rules, making the licensing and regulatory landscape rather confusing.

The argument in favor of regulation is that it establishes standards, holds casinos to account, and demonstrates control. It’s a way to let gamblers maintain their gambling habits while still protecting them. On the other hand, legislation isn’t a panacea; gamers in nations with gambling bans or restrictions may still play at offshore casinos that don’t follow local regulations.

The vast majority of players would choose to play at offshore gray market casinos rather than in a regulated environment due to financial constraints or a general aversion to the personal interference that regulators impose.

Each market is unique. The requirement of players doing their homework and consulting resources like LiveCasinoComparer.com, which ranks the top casinos and games, remains constant, however.

You may use our site’s casino evaluations to choose the finest one for your gaming requirements, no matter where you’re from.