There’s estimated to be more than 2,000 online casinos. While many are licensed in jurisdictions like the UK, Gibraltar, and Malta, different countries have very different regulations and requirements. In some countries, online gambling is completely prohibited. Other countries have open markets.
Most jurisdictions fall somewhere between these two extremes. And, regulations are subject to change. The regulatory situation in the US, for example, is quite fluid, with some states currently working to regulate the industry and some states already online.
Australia
Australia has one of the biggest gambling markets in the world. Pokies, or slot machines, are extremely popular and can be found in bars and pubs, as well as in the country’s 14 licensed casinos.
However, as Alex Hoffman explained, online gambling, the type that many of us are used to, is not currently legal in the country. Australian businesses and individuals can apply for online gambling licenses, but they cannot offer services to Australians. As such, most Aussies play at offshore casinos: those that are licensed in other jurisdictions but offer their games to Australian players alongside a range of jackpots and sign-up bonuses to keep players entertained.
It is also prohibited for offshore companies to advertise their products to Aussie bettors. The country is reluctant to license online operators because they fear that doing so will cannibalize the physical gambling market and reduce the tax it makes.
Furthermore, the country has been considering changes to its legislation in recent months. There have been calls to restrict gambling advertising, which is currently quite aggressive and largely restriction-free.
Online sports betting is permitted in parts of Australia, and some social and sweepstakes casinos can also be accessed. But, for now, at least, the iGaming market remains closed.
New Zealand
Neighbouring New Zealand currently has a similar gambling framework but the government has taken the first tentative steps to regulating iGaming.
The government has set a 2026 deadline to implement an iGaming legislation framework which would likely see up to 15 operators being granted licenses. It would also enable the government to tax operators and bring in revenue.
Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden said: “By introducing a new regulatory system my intention is to channel customers towards up to 15 licensed operators.”
USA
Following years of legal disputes, a US Supreme Court decision determined that states should be allowed to determine their own gambling laws and regulations. As a result of this, some states have introduced legislation to permit online gambling companies to operate.
Currently, 38 states regulate online sports betting, but only 7 states allow online casinos, which means the majority of US gamblers have to rely on offshore casino operators. As well as the fear of cannibalizing retail casino profits, states have to navigate tribal gambling permissions. Established and recognized tribes are given gambling licenses in most states, as a means of paying reparation.
Very little legislative action is expected in 2025, although Virginia did submit proposals to legalize online casinos on New Year's Eve, so the state may see some movement. However, the take-up of iGaming regulation has been slower than many have expected, especially considering how quickly online sports betting has progressed in recent years.
Canada
Like the US, Canada’s iGaming regulations are determined at a local level. Currently, Ontario is the only province that has fully regulated the market. The province allowed single-sport betting as well as online casinos and live poker.
Before regulation, it was estimated that Ontarians already spent $1 billion a year on online gambling, and by regulating the market, the local government will be able to take its cut of the profits in tax and levies. Experts estimate that, by next year, the market will have expanded and will have a $1.5 billion annual revenue.
Operators that wish to offer their services online effectively have to register as contractors with the Ontarian government. They work closely together, ensuring a fair and open gambling market. Such has been the success of the province’s iGaming regulations that Alberta has said that it is closely following the newly established market and will likely use Ontario as a blueprint for its own entry into the iGaming market.
Experts expected to see some movement on this front by the end of last year, but decisions are likely only just around the corner.
UK
The UK is widely considered to have one of the most open gambling markets in the world, which includes its iGaming legislation. All forms of betting and gambling are legal, to some extent, in the country, and the government claims more than £3 billion a year in gambling tax receipts. All taxes are taken from operators, as winnings, no matter their size or source, are not taxable unless the player is considered a professional gambler.
There are estimated to be 175 online casinos registered in the UK. Operators are expected to implement certain rules and regulations to help ensure a safe gambling environment for players.
This includes maximum stakes and checks to ensure identifications. iGaming sites licensed in the country must also sign up to be members of the Gamstop program, which is a self-exclusion program, and there are considerable anti-money laundering and social responsibility regulations in place.
Moves have been taken in the last few years to limit the amount and type of gambling advertising permitted in the country. For example, Premier League football teams have agreed not to include gambling advertising on their shirts. The move was taken by the teams themselves but was likely a pre-emptive move in anticipation of government regulation.
Sports betting is very popular in the UK, with bookmakers present in most towns. This trend is also seen online, although iGaming casinos are also popular options with UK players.
Other Jurisdictions
EU countries are permitted to introduce their own country-specific iGaming laws. And, as such, there are very different regulations in different areas. Overall, though, the market is considered open, and it is estimated that gambling revenue will have surpassed $27 billion in 2024.
Although regulations and rules do vary, most countries have regulated iGaming markets and require operators to comply with anti-money laundering and player protection regulations.
Although many countries do offer regulated and legal online gambling, this isn’t true of all countries. In China, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia, online gambling is illegal. However, it is legal in the Philippines. In Japan, gambling in integrated resorts is legal, which includes the use of mobile apps while in these resorts. India has a similar setup to the US and Canada, with states able to determine their own gambling legal frameworks.
Africa’s gambling market is largely open and regulated. South African gambling laws are regulated at the state level but overseen by the National Gambling Board. Kenya has become an online gambling hub thanks to the popularity of sports betting as well as online casinos. Nigeria also has a regulated industry, although it does have a constant battle against unlicensed and illegal gambling operations.
Conclusion
iGaming encompasses online casinos and poker rooms. The convenience of playing online on desktop and mobile devices has seen its popularity surge in recent years, further buoyed by the introduction of cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies.
Every country has its own iGaming regulations, which range from complete prohibition in countries like China to the open markets of the UK and Denmark. In many countries, like the US, Canada, and India, regulation is determined at a state level, and this wide variety of legislation can make it difficult to keep up with the market as a whole.
