Antigua & Barbuda
Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is legalised in this island territory. The island nation of Antigua
Argentina
Legalised
Nov 21, 2012
Online gambling is legal in Argentina, where separate licences must be sought by casino and gaming operators for each province, with country-wide licences provided to some.
Australia
Partly Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is partly legalised in Australia. While Internet gambling is restricted, the Australian government licences companies to run online casinos. Australians are allowed to gamble online, provided the casinos are hosted in other countries.
Austria
Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is legal in Austria, but there are restrictions. Austria issues licences to companies within the country to run online gambling sites, but these sites can only accept Austrian players. This is how the Austrian government regulates online gambling. Austrian players are however allowed to play at international sites if they like.
Belgium
Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling has been legal in Belgium since 2002. The government proscribed foreign online casinos from operating in Belgium but the European Union has since put pressure on Belgium to open up to the international online gaming market.
Belize
Partly Legalised
June 24, 2008
Online gaming licences may be issued to companies operating from Belize, in line with the Gaming Control Regulations of 2004. Sites licenced in Belize, however, are not permitted to accept wagers from Belize residents.
Brazil
Partly Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is partly legal in Brazil. As it stands, there are no gambling sites in Brazil, owing to the fact that the government does not licence local/foreign companies. Brazilian players can still play at foreign online casinos. However, lottery gaming is legal in Brazil.
Bulgaria
Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is legal in Bulgaria. In 2008, the Bulgarian government made the decision to regulate, legalise and tax online gambling. The restrictive taxes though caused the European Union to lodge complaints, but Bulgaria has even raised taxes since then.
Canada
Undetermined
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is of undetermined status in Canada. The government of Canada does not issue licences to online casinos; however Canadians are not prevented from playing at online gambling sites hosted outside of Canada. Quebec's government has independently legalised online gambling.
Chile
Legalised
August 27, 2012
Online gambling in Chile is completely legal. In fact, it is very popular among the 17 million citizens of the Latin American country. Chile does not grant licences to online casinos and gambling sites within Chile, but allows for online gambling at sites based abroad.
China
Banned
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is banned in China. The only legal gaming activities are the Welfare Lottery and the Sports Lottery. However, Macao and Hong Kong are considered Special Administrative Regions and they have an abundance of online gambling activity. The Chinese government works hard to filter out all foreign gaming sites from accessing the Chinese market, but many players enjoy playing at foreign-based gaming sites.
Costa Rica
Partly Legalised
August 27, 2012
All forms of gambling in Costa Rica are partly legalised. This includes all online gambling activity, with restrictions however. The local government awards licences to companies that offer online gambling services to non-local Internet casinos. Since no specific licence is required, all gambling entities operate under a "Data Processing Licence” A obtained at the Municipality. The issues in Costa Rica have been those of standards, as most Costa Rican Internet gambling companies are self-regulated.
Croatia
Legalised
August 18, 2011
All forms of gambling activity are legal in Croatia. However the majority of Croatian Internet gambling occurs at overseas sites. The Croatian online gambling market is developing slowly. The official methods for licencing are difficult to obtain and all gambling in Croatia is monitored by the state organisation Hrvatska Lutrija.
Cyprus
Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is currently legal in Cyprus. The government issues licences to foreign companies to run betting exchanges, bingo rooms, online lotteries, casinos, poker rooms and even sports-books. Many global casino powerhouses are Pliocene and hosted in Cyprus. However there are moves afoot to ban online gambling altogether, with a draft bill already approved, owing to public outcries on the issue.
Czech Republic
Partly Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is partly legal in the Czech Republic. The sports-book gaming industry lobbied for the legalisation of Internet gambling. The Fortuna Group is leading the charge and the five largest Czech sports-books are already operating online.
Denmark
Legalised
December 18, 2011
Online gambling is legal in Denmark under the supervision of the Danish Gambling Authority. Beginning on January 1, 2012, companies that hold a licence from the Gambling Authority may provide online gambling services in Denmark.
Dominica
Legalised
July 1, 2008
Dominica offers licences to online casinos and sports-books. There is no tax on profits or income of non-permanent residents. The company must maintain a physical presence in Dominica.
Dominican Republic
Partly Legalised
July 2, 2008
The Dominican Republic licences online sports-books. No new licence, however, has been granted to a sports-book operating primarily from outside the Dominican Republic since 1996.
Estonia
Legalised
August 18, 2011
Estonia has legalised online gambling. This was done in an effort to raise revenue via taxation on online gambling activities. The state-operated sports-book, Spordiennustus, provided the first online gambling facilities in Estonia in 2004. E-Lotto provides bingo, state lottery and other games on the net.
Finland
Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is legal in Finland. According to the 2002 Act on Gaming, only one licence can be operational at any time. The state-run online gaming operator is the only legal gaming operator.
France
Undetermined
Nov 16, 2011
As of May 24, 2010, both the
Germany
Undetermined
August 18, 2011
The status of gambling legality in Germany is undetermined. German websites are unable to offer games of chance or skill for real money, but they are able to enjoy online gambling at sites hosted in foreign countries. On February 15, 2011 the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig issued a de facto ban on advertising by private lotto, state controlled and casino operators.
Gibraltar
Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is legal in Gibraltar. This jurisdiction has been issuing online casino licences for several years.
Greece
Partly Legalised
February 10, 2013
Greece passed its gaming law in August 2011. Although a public tender for online gaming licences was supposed to follow, that has not yet happened. Instead, Greece issued temporary permits to 24 operators on the condition that they ante up two years of back taxes. All operators who are not licenced must stop operating in Greece or else be blacklisted, which will have them blocked permanently and prosecuted.
Hong Kong
Partly Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online casino gambling is not currently legal in Hong Kong. However players from Hong Kong are able to access sites hosted by other jurisdictions. The Hong Kong Jockey Club offers betting on horseracing, lotteries and football.
Hungary
Banned
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is currently banned in Hungary. The country forbids its banks from processing payments to online gaming companies.
India
Undetermined
August 18, 2011
Online gambling in India is of undetermined status. There are no provisions in Indian law proscribing online gambling activity. Goa is a popular gambling jurisdiction in India.
Ireland
Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is legal in Ireland. Irish online gambling winnings are tax free.
Israel
Banned
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is banned in Israel. However there are official state-run lotteries and sports betting systems.
Italy
Legalised
Nov 16, 2011
Online gambling is legal in Italy. According to the Decree on Liberation, article 38, passed on the 1st January 2007, online gambling in Italy is legal pending a licence issued by Italian authorities. This came into effect in September 2008.
Jamaica
Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is legal in Jamaica. Jamaica operates the Poker World online casino. All forms of online gambling are regulated by the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission.
Japan
Banned
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is banned in Japan. The Japanese government does not grant operating licences to Internet gambling websites. Japanese players are limited from using foreign online gaming sites.
Korea South
Banned
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is banned in South Korea. However there are foreign-based online casinos providing gambling services to South Koreans.
Latvia
Legalised
August 27, 2012
Online gambling in Latvia is legal since 2003, under a revised law that sets regulations and enforcement of the rules. The online gambling law includes a requirement to hold a General Gambling licence and pay a 10% gambling tax on all revenues. In addition, Latvia has turned out to be an attractive destination for online gambling companies to base their headquarters or other regional offices in. leading online casino software provider Playtech has based its Live Dealer games for the European market headquarters in Riga.
Liechtenstein
Partly Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is partly legalised in Liechtenstein. The International Lottery Liechtenstein Foundation is allowed to function and it runs myriad lottery sites. Each of them donates a percentage of takings to charity. PlusLotto has been in operation since 1995.
Macao
Undetermined
August 18, 2011
Online gambling legality in Macao is of undetermined status. There are no regulations in effect proscribing or catering to online gaming. Traditional gambling has been legal in Macao since the 1850's when the Portuguese government legalised it in the colony.
Malaysia
Banned
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is banned. Malaysia is governed by strict religious laws which proscribe online gambling and casino gambling. However there are limited forms of sports betting.
Malta
Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling in Malta is legalised. Malta functions as the central hub for major online casino licencing operations.
Mauritius
Legalised
July 1, 2008
Mauritius has been offering licences to online gaming operators based in the country since 1996.
Mexico
Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling in Mexico is legal. The government of Mexico began issuing gambling licences as early as 2002. However Mexican nationals are not allowed to gamble at domestic sites, they must use foreign online casinos.
Netherlands
Undetermined
June 4, 2013
Online gambling is of an undetermined legal status in the Netherlands. Gambling is strictly controlled and monopolised by the state-run Holland Casino. The Netherlands is on course to grant casino licences in 2015.
New Zealand
Partly Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling in New Zealand is partly legal. TAB (Totalizator Agency Board) provides sports betting games. TAB and the New Zealand Lotteries Commission are the only official bodies permitted to provide online gambling. However foreign operators do ply their trade in New Zealand.
Norway
Partly Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is partly legal. Norsk Tipping is a state-run company controlling lotteries and sports betting in the country. The Norwegians are considering filtering IP addresses against gambling companies that are undesirable in the country.
Panama
Legalised
June 24, 2008
Panama began to regulate electronic games of chance and wagering activities in 2002. Internet gaming providers can essentially operate tax-free when accepting foreign wagers.
Philippines
Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling has been deemed legal in the Philippines. There is currently no legal precedent to warrant the de-legitimisation of online gaming, however bills have been proposed to this effect.
Poland
Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is of legal status. The government has been loath to issue online gambling licences and as such the industry is largely unregulated. However, players are free to gamble online.
Portugal
Partly Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is partly legal in Portugal. All sports and lottery gaming are conducted under the Games Department of Santa Casa da Santa Casa da Misericórdia ³ de Lisboa (SCML). Other online gambling precedents are conducted in concert with European Union regulations.
Romania
Undetermined
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is of undetermined status in Romania. The Romanian government is in negotiations with the European Union on how best to regulate foreign casino operators. Romania wants exclusive licencing and regulatory control on Romanian servers.
Russian Federation
Banned
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is banned in Russia. However there are 4 sections in Russia where traditional gambling is now legal.
Saudi Arabia
Banned
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is banned in Saudi Arabia as it is governed by Islamic law. Foreign-based online casinos do operate, but of their own accord.
Seychelles
Legalised
July 1, 2008
Seychelles offers licences to online gaming providers under the Interactive Gaming Act of 2003. Companies need not be based in the Seychelles but must have a company representative living on the island.
Singapore
Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is legal in Singapore but it is strictly regulated. According to Singaporean gambling laws, only the government is allowed to offer lottery services, act as a sports-book, to offer horseracing odds and slot machines. This is done via the 2 regulated resort-casinos in the city-state.
Slovakia
Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is legal in Slovakia. The introduction of foreign online casinos has been so successful that the state-owned lottery company Tipos has applied for emergency bailout funds from the state.
Slovenia
Undetermined
August 27, 2012
Online Gambling in Slovenia is not clearly addressed in the law, and is neither legal nor illegal. While the government ordered ISP's to block foreign gambling sites, the order was not enforced and gambling on foreign sites continues until today. This leaves Slovenians an option to bet and gambling at foreign based online gambling sites, a few of which offer their services in the Slovenian language, though most are in English.
South Africa
Undetermined
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is of undetermined legal status in South Africa. The National Gambling Amendment Act endorsed a provision to licence the South African Internet casino industry, as early as 2008. However the government is now trying to backtrack on this.
Spain
Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is legal in Spain. The majority of online casinos and land-based casinos are run by national companies.
Swaziland
Partly Legalised
June 29, 2008
Swaziland-based sites are banned from accepting wagers from South African residents. Piggs Peak Casino, however, is authorised to offer online Rand gambling to Swaziland, South Africa, Namibia and Lesotho.
Sweden
Partly Legalised
June 6, 2013
Online gambling is partly legal in Sweden. Svenska Spel, the state-run operator, is responsible for all online casinos, online sports betting, Internet lottery and online bingo in Sweden. Strict regulations are enforced in Sweden. Regulations are not expected to change before 2014.
Switzerland
Undetermined
August 27, 2012
Online gambling in Switzerland is not allowed, but it is not enforced by legislation and so it takes place freely in the country. While there are no Swiss online gambling companies, Swiss gambling fans can play at foreign sites. There are many gambling sites in German, French and Italian, basically catering to Swiss players and providing for them in all ways. None of these sites are blocked.
Taiwan
Undetermined
August 27, 2012
Online gambling is of undetermined status in Taiwan. The new casino bills package recently passed in 2011, by a vote of 71-26. This will see Taiwan becoming a safe haven for mega-casinos - along the lines of those in Singapore.
Tanzania
Legalised
June 30, 2008
In December 1999 the Gaming Control Act was amended, legalising online gambling in Tasmania and providing a licencing system for fixed-odds wagering, sports betting, simulated games and lotteries.
Thailand
Banned
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is banned in Thailand. Limited opportunities exist for sports betting and the lottery.
Turkey
Banned
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is banned in Turkey. However the government operated sports book is legal. Further restrictions on Internet gaming are in place with a 4-tier filtering system imposed on citizens by the government.
UK
Legalised
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is legal in the United Kingdom. The UK is a booming online gaming market.
Ukraine
Banned
August 18, 2011
Online gambling is banned in the Ukraine. Online casinos operated from outside of the Ukraine were not considered illegal, but the government enforced regulations to close that loophole.
USA
Banned
August 18, 2011
Online casino gambling is illegal in the USA. The UIGEA prohibits US banks and financial institutions from transferring funds to online gambling operators. State lotteries are legal and sports-books in designated jurisdictions are legal too.
Vietnam
Undetermined
May 4, 2008
Currently, all forms of gambling save the state lottery are illegal in Vietnam, but the country is considering regulating an online gambling industry.
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