2023 Global Overview of Online Gambling Legality

Slotegrator provides a crucial 2023 update, breaking down the global legal status of online gambling for better business clarity and decision-making.

The landscape of online gambling is as diverse as it is vast. With legislation perpetually in flux, Slotegrator, an iGaming industry leader, has compiled a crucial global list for 2023. This list is essential for entrepreneurs aiming to understand where to kickstart or expand their online gambling businesses based on legality.

Grouping the Global Gambling Landscape

For a holistic understanding, Slotegrator categorizes countries into four groups based on their gambling regulations:

Group 1: Mandatory Local Regulatory Licensing

Here, every gambling business, whether local or foreign, must obtain a license from the local regulator. They must adhere to protocols such as player security, local tax obligations, and relevant advertising rules.

Africa: Mayotte, Reunion Island.
Asia: The Philippines (non-local players only), India, Georgia (land-based casino license prerequisite).
Europe: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, the UK, Gibraltar, Norway.
North America: USA, Antigua and Barbuda, Guadeloupe, Panama, Virgin Islands, Belize, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Latin America: French Guiana, Argentina.
Oceania: French Polynesia, New Caledonia.

Group 2: Dual Licensing Structure

In this group, local gambling entities must have a license from the local regulator. Meanwhile, foreign gambling businesses can function without local licenses, but local casino owners must adhere to local licensing procedures and taxation.

Africa: Comoros, Gambia, Guinea, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles.
Asia: Armenia.
Europe: Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland.
North America: Aruba, Canada, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Greenland.
Latin America: Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Suriname.
Oceania: Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands.

Group 3: Foreign Gambling Businesses Enjoy Leeway

In these regions, foreign gambling businesses aren't under strict legislative bindings. They can function with or without a license. However, it's essential to note that gambling isn't outright legal in all these regions.

Africa: Eritrea, Nigeria.
Asia: Azerbaijan, Brunei, Hong Kong, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan.
Europe: Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Iceland, Luxembourg, Serbia, Slovakia, Monaco, San Marino, Belarus, Malta, Isle of Man, Liechtenstein.
North America: Cayman Islands, El Salvador, Mexico, Saint-Barthélemy, Jamaica.
Latin America: Brazil, Martinique, Uruguay, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago.
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Guam, New Zealand, Wallis, and Futuna Islands, Cook Islands.

Group 4: Ambiguous Gambling Regulations

Countries in this segment have nebulous online gambling regulations. The iGaming industry doesn't encounter explicit illegality, but a transparent licensing system and definitive guidelines need to be established.

Africa: Ethiopia, Angola, , Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Benin, Chad, Congo, Cameroon, DR Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Asia: Bangladesh, Mongolia, Myanmar.
Europe: Albania, Andorra, Faroe Islands, Kosovo.
North America: The Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Turks and Caicos, Saint-Martin.
Latin America: Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru.
Oceania: Kiribati, Micronesia, Nauru, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Samoa, East Timor, Tonga.

Not Listed? It’s Probably Illegal

Online gambling is likely illegal there if a country isn't mentioned in the four groups. It underscores the importance of thorough research before operational planning. Slotegrator offers a comprehensive gambling regulations map to assist businesses, allowing users to get a snapshot of regulations in each country, covering both land-based and online gambling. This interactive tool is convenient for gaining foundational knowledge.

Furthermore, Slotegrator’s Academy has published an insightful article on legal online gambling, offering in-depth information to cater to businesses and enthusiasts alike.

A Brief About Slotegrator

Since its inception in 2012, Slotegrator has established itself as a powerhouse in the iGaming industry. Primarily focusing on software development and support for online casino platforms, Slotegrator also specializes in integrating game content and payment systems. Their collaboration with licensed game developers has resulted in a broad portfolio comprising slots, live casino games, poker, virtual sports, table games, lotteries, casual games, and even data feeds for betting. Beyond software solutions, they provide pivotal consulting services, guiding businesses in obtaining gambling licenses and business incorporation's intricacies.