Even though online casino games can be enjoyed by players from almost every country in the world, there are no general rules and legislation that would cover the legality of the sphere. Every country has its own laws and regulations concerning gambling, so it’s important to get familiar with local legislation before joining a gambling site. Unfortunately, many countries change the regulations with enviable regularity, so players should remain informed not to get themselves into trouble.
In the article, we’ll give you a comprehensive overview of gambling regulations in Australia, New Zealand, the US, and a few other countries. After finishing reading you’ll know what to expect when playing games of chance in your place of residence.
Australia
If you Google something like ‘is online gambling legal in Australia’ there will be more than 62 million results. Gambling has been an important part of life in Australia which, however, can’t boast an open market. All the laws and regulations are indicated in the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001. According to it, Australian businesses are not allowed to provide gambling services to people living in Australia. The only exception is lotteries and sports betting.
Compliance with the law is carried out by central and local governments. However, there are no laws that stop Australians from playing in foreign gambling sites and 6.8 million citizens are regular gamblers.
New Zealand
In New Zealand, the situation with gambling is quite similar to the Australian market. Here, the industry is regulated by the Gambling Act of 2003 which contains detailed and comprehensive information on the fields which are legal and which – prohibited. However, the laws concern only New Zealand enterprises, and Kiwis can enjoy online casinos located abroad without any restrictions.
United States
The validity of gambling in the United States is under question and remains quite uncertain. Many online casinos provide services to locals for years without any problems and restrictions. However, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 has changed the industry.
According to it, banks and financial establishments aren’ allowed to process money transfers between US citizens and online casinos. Many gambling sites considered it an indicator that the government thinks games of chance are illegal and stopped operating in the states.
However, there are still plenty of sites that operate in the US. They say that if they are licensed and based in a jurisdiction with legalized gambling, they aren’t breaking the law.
The UK
Players from the United Kingdom are luckier because here gambling is legal and well regulated. Online casinos can provide their services to British residents if they are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. It was founded in 2007 and is considered one of the most reputable and reliable international gambling regulators.
Due to clear laws and the open borders, the UK is a very popular marketplace for gambling operators and players use it with joy.
Europe
Even though the European Union members need to obey the European Commission laws, countries have a chance to decide how to regulate particular industries and markets. That is why gambling regulations significantly differ from one country to another.
For example, in Malta gambling is fully legal and has a big share in the economy. In Switzerland, the industry is tightly regulated by the Swiss Federal Casino Commission and federal and cantonal laws. Since the Money Gaming Act in 2018, IP addresses of overseas online casinos are blocked to make operators pay taxes.
Canada
Gambling laws in Canada are a bit controversial: it’s illegal for operators to provide gambling services to residents without obtaining a license from the local government. However, there are no restrictions when it comes to playing on international online casinos.
Moreover, some Canadian provinces can regulate the industry independently and there are local governments that have their own land-based and online casinos.
Play responsibly and enjoy the game
As you see, the global gambling market is extremely diverse and if you want to enjoy pokies, table games, or other titles, it’s important to have at least a general understanding of the legal issues concerning the sphere. Understanding these laws and regulations may keep you away from troubles and it will be much easier to find a reliable and licensed gambling site.
