Online casinos have existed for more than two decades, transforming dramatically during that time. Their evolution has been shaped by technological advancement, player expectations, and regulation. While tech innovations and player expectations have often changed to meet the needs of a growing industry, regulations remain highly varied across different regions.
This patchwork of regulation, under which some territories allow regulated gambling, some strictly prohibit it, and some have little to say on the subject, can be confusing to track and understand. To simplify matters, the guide below outlines each region’s stance on legality, licensing, and player protections that determine where you can try your luck online.
The Importance of Licensing
Before looking at where gambling online is or isn’t allowed, it’s important to highlight the most important aspect of iGaming regulation: licensing. Gaming licenses are issued by governing bodies to real money casino apps and platforms to show they meet all regulatory requirements.
A license creates an obligation that operators must fulfill to ensure they operate fairly, provide auditable games, maintain strict anti-money laundering (AML) policies, offer responsible gambling tools, provide complaint routes and resolutions, and adhere to advertising standards.
With all these measures in place, players choosing licensed casinos have a higher level of protection against underhanded operators. As such, licenses form the bedrock of the modern legal gambling industry worldwide, prompting players to avoid any platform operating without a license.
Europe
While Europe is home to some of the most advanced regulatory frameworks, the continent still has varying degrees of regulation from one country to another, with major regions differing in how they handle online gambling.
United Kingdom
The UK stands out among global markets for having developed a robust and extensive iGaming framework. Guided by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), the country has a fully regulated market and allows online gambling only with operators that hold an official license from the UKGC, prohibiting access to any unlicensed operators, even those licensed elsewhere.
Malta
After the UKGC, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is likely the best-known governing body. The authority licenses hundreds of online casinos and sportsbooks, operating under a fully regulated B2C/B2B (business-to-consumer/business-to-business) model. With strong player protection standards to stop players from being consumed by excessive gambling, many EU operators base their operations within the country under an MGA license.
Germany
Recent reforms in Germany transformed online gambling from a restricted market into a fully regulated one. This opened the market to allow licensed operators to provide services to German players.
Netherlands
Like the UK, the Netherlands has adopted a fully regulated market that issues licenses through the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA). Any operator without a KSA license is prohibited.
Norway and Switzerland
While online gambling is available in both countries, state monopolies control which operators are permitted. Norway employs extensive blocks to prevent access to restricted sites, while Switzerland only allows operators tied to a physical casino within the region.
In nearly all the listed European regions, penalties for sidestepping regulation are almost always levied against operators rather than players. However, even though player prosecution is rare, potential winnings may be withheld and player accounts may be closed.
North America
North American nations adopt a state- or province-based approach to regulation. As such, there is no federal framework; each territory enforces its own rules.
United States of America
In the US, only seven states currently permit online casinos to operate, though more allow online sports betting. Each state has its own governing body responsible for licensing and enforcement, requiring geolocation services to ensure only local players can gamble and enforcing strict KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML policies.
The seven states currently offering legal online casino access are Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia. Like in Europe, penalties are typically levied against operators, while players may simply have their accounts closed or forfeit winnings.
Canada
Similar to the US, Canada follows a province-by-province model, with Ontario being the only jurisdiction to offer a fully regulated open market as of 2022. Residents in British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, the Atlantic Provinces, and Alberta can access province-operated platforms, each limited to one provider.
Other provinces have little or no formal regulation regarding online casinos, leaving players to rely on offshore operators. Penalties in regulated provinces are often directed at operators, while players in other regions operate in a legal gray area by accessing offshore platforms and effectively avoiding penalties.
Asia-Pacific
The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region features some of the most varied gambling laws in the world, with certain areas banning online casinos entirely while others introduce evolving forms of regulation.
Australia and New Zealand
In Australia, online casinos are strictly prohibited, with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) actively blocking access to illegal offshore operators. New Zealand, by contrast, bans local operators but imposes no restrictions on accessing offshore casinos.
Singapore
Online gambling in Singapore is prohibited unless operators have special exemptions. Enforcement is strict and can result in heavy fines or imprisonment.
Japan
All forms of online gambling in Japan are strictly banned. Operators and players caught participating face fines or imprisonment, and law enforcement continues to increase efforts to track and prosecute offenders.
India
India’s regulatory framework varies by state. Each Indian state regulates gambling independently from the central government. Sikkim is the only state with a clear, regulated framework allowing online casinos. Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh clearly prohibit all online gambling, while other states have neither approved nor banned it, creating widespread confusion.
Philippines
The Philippines issues licenses to specific regional operators but strictly prohibits offshore platforms from engaging with local players. Authorities employ aggressive strategies to curb their reach, even as new rules are proposed to address them.
Africa
As the iGaming industry expands across Africa, there are wide variations in what is and isn’t allowed.
Fully Legal
Online casinos are fully legal and regulated in countries such as Angola, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, and Tanzania. Each of these countries has established or is developing robust legal frameworks to grow the sector responsibly.
Grey Area
In several countries, such as Chad, Mozambique, Morocco, Botswana, Madagascar, Sierra Leone, Tunisia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, there is little to no regulation either prohibiting or permitting online casinos. As a result, residents of these territories often access offshore operators to play.
Strictly Prohibited
Countries including Egypt, Libya, South Sudan, Sudan, and Eritrea completely prohibit all forms of online gambling. Since many of these countries are governed by Sharia law, being caught gambling there can result in fines, imprisonment, or even corporal punishment. South Africa also prohibits online casinos—both local and offshore—even though sports betting remains legal.
Conclusion
While online gambling seems easily accessible in theory, the reality is far more complex. With various laws and regulations dictating who can play and from where, many players may find themselves unable to participate.
For those who can, whether due to regulated markets or government indifference, the iGaming industry continues to offer a unique form of excitement, great entertainment, and potential windfalls.
