International iGaming laws explained

 

Online gambling has become an industry titan, and its explosive growth doesn’t look as though it’s set to slow anytime soon. As more countries open up to the idea of regulating the online gambling sector, there have been numerous changes around the globe. As with any new law or emerging market, these laws aren’t cohesive across the board, and although gambling might enjoy a more balanced international framework than many other industries, a lot of casino and sports betting companies need to be extremely careful that they don’t fall outside of local legislations or they can be subject to heavy fines or even more severe punishment.

Casinotopsonline (CTO) is a site that is an encyclopedia of casino content, such as basic information about a classic game, more detailed information about where gambling is legal and how recently the law has been updated. According to Casinotopsonline.com, the legality of gambling is a topic of fierce debate in several regions of the world. In countries like the US, where much of the legislation is relegated to state powers, it has created a fractured set of laws that runs the entire spectrum.

 

Online gambling laws in the US

Given that the US is the world’s largest economic superpower, the emphasis casino operators have placed on opening up this market to online gambling over the last 20 years has been imperative to many of their business models. Although casino companies will compete fiercely with each other, they have all shared a common goal of a clear set of regulations that help the industry grow within the US.

Prior to the internet, the idea of iGaming, another term for online gambling, was a small and inconsequential area of the industry. However, following many significant changes to the availability and accessibility of the internet, it quickly became apparent that many casinos had to prioritize their digital services to survive in the industry.

 

According to casinotopsonline, the US gambling industry is worth over $300bn annually. Economists and business experts all seem to agree that this number will continue to rise steadily as we reach the mid-point of this decade and as more states begin to create legislation that permits online gambling companies to operate within their borders. As the most significant state in the country continues to forbid iGaming companies from offering their services to millions of potential Californian customers, there is clearly still enormous scope for growth if more states can get on board.

New Jersey was the first state to legalize online gambling a decade ago, and the whole industry has continued to grow since, with over two dozen states now allowing iGaming companies to provide their services to bettors throughout the US. Although these states have different laws, with some more favorable toward sports betting than casino gaming and vice versa, the overall trend is positive for iGaming companies looking to build a foundation within the US economy, where the industry is adequately regulated, taxed and overseen by competent officials.

 

Gambling in Europe and Australasia

Australasia and Europe are two widespread, populated areas that have set the blueprint for US states to lay the foundation for their modern-day gambling laws. If we focus on Europe and look at the gambling laws in Ireland and the United Kingdom, they have been the market standard for many regulators in the industry. Gambling is a big part of UK culture, and according to CTO reports, gambling plays a more significant role in the UK economy than it does in the vast majority of other highly developed nations.

While mainland Europe might have various laws, most countries allow iGaming to exist provided they adhere to the regulations set by the central government and operate within the confines of any regulatory changes. On the opposite side of the globe, in the Southern Hemisphere, Australia and New Zealand are the two most prominent economies that exist within Oceania. Pokies and keno comprise the pillars of Australian gambling culture. However, their main sports, such as rugby, Australian rules football and cricket, are all gambled on heavily too, especially when big finals or games are televised across the country.

 

Typical nuances in iGaming law according to CTO reports

A lot of countries will allow iGaming companies to operate, but they will not allow them to register their businesses within the country. For example, Australian laws state that companies cannot register their online casino business within the country; however, the same law states that nothing strictly forbids Australians from using online casino companies registered overseas. This means a lot of the most profitable online casinos that provide services to bettors down under will be registered in destinations that offer tax incentives. This is why many online casinos and sports betting companies are registered in destinations such as Malta, Gibraltar and Curacao.

While online casinos might operate within legal frameworks, certain aspects of online gambling are specific to certain regions. For instance, gambling after 2 am in Australia requires a special license. However, in the United Kingdom, casinos are often open 24 hours a day, and there’s no break in service. The same applies to those looking to play casino games online, but it is always best to check how the laws apply to where you live before seeking out iGaming services.

Casinotopsonline has detailed information about which regions have stricter laws but understanding how they apply to you locally is always best.

 

Gambling online across other regions

There is a polarizing range of laws in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America. Countries such as Brazil, Ecuador, Egypt, large portions of the Middle East and Asian countries like Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand all prohibit gambling in any form. While these laws were initially aimed at land-based gambling games, given that the industry’s dynamic has completely shifted online, the law has also adjusted to include all these games. If you’re on holiday in any of these countries, it’s essential to understand that iGaming isn’t an industry looked upon with much favor, and gambling can land you in serious trouble.

 

A changing landscape – Casinotopsonline analysis

As little as 20 years ago, the United States didn’t allow online gambling, and there were fewer than half a dozen states where you could place a wager on a casino game or sports event. However, as we travel further into the 2020s, there are now over 20 states that allow hundreds of types of iGaming, ranging from football betting to casino games.

As the tax base rakes in billions of dollars for local legislators, it’s fueling a shift in other states looking to get their hands on similar levels of profits while balancing these activities with responsible gambling. In another 20 years, we could be in a position where the vast majority of America permits online gambling. If you combine this with the rise in smartphones and internet accessibility, it’s clear why CTO reports predictions that the future is bright for iGaming providers.

 

Responsible gambling

Finding symmetry in gambling legislation that allows regulators to profit via a solid tax base and protects potential problem gamblers from losing too much money is a vital and delicate balancing act. Gambling should only ever be seen as a pastime where you gamble with money you can afford to lose and do not spend more money or time than initially planned.

If it begins to impact your mood, or you see gambling as a source of income, these are red flags, and you should speak to somebody who can help you. Likewise, if you see this behavior in friends or family, then this could strongly indicate gambling issues, and there’s plenty of help you can seek out online.

 

Final thoughts

International iGaming laws are always open to change. With hundreds of countries and individual jurisdictions constantly revising their approach to iGaming, the landscape will likely take on a completely different look in five years. In countries that forbid gambling, they are unlikely to change their policy anytime soon. However, the United States is one country that could continue to spearhead growth within the industry, and the fact that so many states are so open to changing the law is one of the main variables driving some extremely positive economic predictions.

As long as casino and sports betting companies can provide transparency to local legislative bodies and continue to provide a rich stream of tax dollars, it’s hard to envisage a situation where this clear, new legislation could make a substantial U-turn.

International iGaming laws bridge a wide divide. However, with companies online like CTO being able to keep gamers up to date with the latest news in casino gaming and other resources online, it’s easier to keep up with these changes.

Overall, the general rhetoric is positive, and there’s a reason why so many operators within the industry are so optimistic about what the future has in store for online bettors and casino companies that facilitate these services.