Online gambling is a multifaceted topic because every country/state has its own stance regarding its endorsement. Several counties encourage online casinos, while others have stringent laws to ban it altogether. Interestingly, within Europe and the United States, the states have different opinions; some states embrace online gambling while others follow federal laws.
If you are searching for countries with the most liberal online gambling laws, congratulations, you have found the right article. Keep reading and know more about the liberal laws of different countries.
1.Finland
Online and offline gambling is under the state-controlled monopoly of Finland. There are three different entities to regulate specific gaming in the region and operate gambling sites too. It includes RAY, Veikkaus Oy, and Fintono Oy. Apart from this, there is a fourth entity named as PAF. It supervises the gambling of 6,700 extended islands, also known as the Aland Province.
All entities carve up the gambling activities among them according to the direction of the Finnish government, but the leads stay with RAY and PAF. Both the entities control the legal gambling sites, but PAF has a monopoly over the Aland Province while RAY has control over the mainland of Finland.
The Finnish government has rigid rules and regulations regarding online gambling for the safe experience of the consumers. For the purpose, local gambling casinos are trusted and encouraged to provide the services to the Finland residents. The state first approves the domestic operators, and then, they are ready to offer their services.
Other than local gambling casinos, there is little to no room for the outsiders, but stills, Finnish people gamble on foreign online sites. Bet365 and 888 sites are amongst the famous online gambling sites which allow Finns to enjoy different games. Well, there is no mechanism to block the transaction to and from foreign gambling sites in Finland. In addition, there are no criminal codes to surf the unlicensed operators. Therefore, the Finns are free to play on foreign sites too.
The revenue generated from gambling is earmarked in social activities, including sporting events, education, arts, and science events.
- Australia
In Australia, there are no laws related to placing online bets, and there is nothing in their criminal code that finds gambling, playing poker, and betting on sports a mere act. The only thing that is a concern for the player is to select the right gambling site.
There many online gambling sites in Australia that accept Aussies and AUD deposits, but there are rare gambling sites that are safe to play. Therefore, it is always recommended to do research before playing the game and be prudent.
Australia passed the IGA (Interactive Gambling Act) in 2001. According to this act, the operators need to fulfill a long list of requirements to operate in the country legally. It somehow makes a problematic situation for the gambling operators.
Further, there is a limited number of gambling forms that are allowed for Australians. According to IGA, all local or offshore that operates in other forms is illegal. Types of gambling that are exempted include sports and racing betting. These gambling forms are only allowed when all other bets are closed before the start of a specific match/race.
Australians can find many foreign online gambling sites which are specialized in sports betting. Conversely, Australian gambling sites offer other forms of gambling to the player.
Interestingly, there is no responsibility for Australian citizens with respect to IGA. Still, it is the responsibility of the operators to block the Australian audience from all other gambling forms other than sports betting.
3.United Kingdom (UK)
The Gambling Commission regulates online gambling formed under the Gambling Act 2005. After 2005, gambling became a legal activity in the United Kingdom.
Usually, people of the UK love to play online poker, casino games, bingo, sports betting, and lottery-style games. All of these forms of gambling come under the Gambling Commission. Hence, any operators who want to offer these games to UK citizens need to acquire a license from the commission first.
The ultimate aim of the Gambling Commission is to provide a safe environment to the player, either he is playing online or offline. There is a list of laws under the Gambling Act 2005. It protects the interest of the player and the operator too. Accordingly, the player needs to be 18 years old and have an internet connection to play via online gambling.
Furthermore, the local gambling sites can advertise themselves to the citizens of the UK, but some foreign sites are forbidden to do so (It does not mean foreigner cannot do casino business.). Also, if the local operators do not meet the standards set by the Gambling Act 2005, then they cannot advertise their services too.
Following are the whitelisted gambling jurisdictions;
- (European Economic Area) EEA Countries
- Gibraltar
- Alderney
- Isle of Man
- Tasmania
- Antigua and Barbuda
4.The Isle of Man
The Isle of Man is amongst the online gambling licensing authorities that are well-reputed and trusted by different countries in the world. Its first license was issued in 2001, and to date, it has gained the trust of its players. Eventually, it has not only secured a position in the market but in the minds of the consumers as a safest and legitimate place to surf online gambling real money games.
As mentioned earlier, the UK government is satisfied with the license of the Isle of Man because it never compromises its standards. The gambling operators can advertise their offerings in the UK if the Isle of Man licenses them.
Every operator makes a huge struggle to get the license, but the authority does not issue the license until it investigates the process thoroughly. Well, several well-known online gambling sites have successfully obtained the license and became famous in the world of online gambling. Some of them are PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, and Paddy Power.
5.Malta
Malta and Gibraltar are popular as “tax paradise” for online gambling sites. It is an island positioned in the Mediterranean which initiated iGaming in 2000 through the Public Lotto Ordinance. This European country was the first to regulate the law of online gambling in 2004, and later on, other countries found it worthwhile. Just like the Isle of Man, Malta also issues a license to online gambling sites.
The operators are attracted towards Malta due to low taxes and easy licensing procedure, but it does not mean that the service lack in quality. Malta has expertise in giving out services, and gamblers find it safe to play. Nowadays, many online casinos, betting offices, and poker rooms have Malta’s license.
6.France
France is a gambling-nation because it has regulated all forms of gambling in the state. There are some legalized gambling forms, including card games, sportsbooks, racing bets, and casino games, etc. Further, it encourages online gambling sites except for online casino games.
No doubt, France has legalized all forms of gambling, but it is arduous for the licensed operators to stay in business because of the high taxes and regulations. Hence, many operators start gambling business in France, but the majority of them either end it after a short period of stay unlicensed.
In either, there is good news for gamblers that there are no laws related to unlicensed gambling sites. Therefore, gamblers can choose between licensed and unlicensed gambling sites.
The French government had a monopoly over the Gambling Act, but due to pressure imposed by the EU, the gambling law changed in 2010. According to the new law, a regulatory body was formed named ARJEL (the Regulatory Authority for Online Games). Now, ARJEL is responsible for licensing and regulating online gambling games in France.
Some of the famous online gambling games got their license from ARJEL, including PokerStars, Everest Poker, and Party Poker. With time, the competition has increased in the market, and new online gambling games have arrived, but the issue remained the same- high taxes.
There is a great potential in the French gambling market, but burdensome taxes and regulations players have compelled to play at unlicensed gambling sites.
7.Curacao
Curacao is an island well-known for regulating online gambling sites. It is one of the oldest online gambling regulators and license providers. Moreover, it is famous as the e-gaming regulator.
Many operators start their business in Curacao due to its inexpensive and quick licensing procedure. Further, the operator is charged just 2% of tax on its net profit, and there is no unnecessary barrier for the operator. Moreover, the operator needs only one license to start any form of online gambling games. As a result, the gambling operators cherish being in Curacao.
Along with this business facilitation, Curacao provides financial and technical support to online gambling sites. It includes private cloud, dedicated services, international finance, and other assistance to run a gambling business.
- Other Countries That have legalized Online Casinos & Online Betting
Here list of other countries that have also legalized online gambling:
- Sweden
- Denmark
- Poland
- Japan
- Philippines
- Spain
- Ireland
- Kazakhstan
- The USA more and more states have or are starting to legalize, but some states have also banned it.
- Germany is also working on Legalizing
- Holland working on legalizing
- In Canada, there is the Kahnawake (KGC) regulatory authority that regulates and licenses online casinos.
Keep in mind many other countries have not legalized, but at the same time, no law forbids residents to gamble online.
Conclusion
The gamblers should understand that it is crucially essential to play at licensed and regulated online casinos and gambling sites. You can check Google for each site you want to play at or you can look at sites like onlinecasinos.net for help choosing a trusted website. The licensed sites aim to provide a safe environment for the players where they can stay confident that they will be treated fairly.
There are a few well-established regulating authorities in the world that help the gambling commissions of different countries to make online gambling as safe as possible. So, if you love to play gambling games either for fun or real money, just stay safe and select the right platform before you gamble. Please don’t forget to read www.begambleaware.org because gambling can turn into adduction.
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