Online Gambling Is Illegal
Some countries have banned online gambling completely. North Korea, for example, bans gambling, but it is not completely outlawed. The country allows some government-sponsored gaming and 5 privately run lotteries. The 1996 Suppression of Gambling Act doesn’t apply to foreigners. Several casinos exist in North Korea, and only tourists can gamble in Pyongyang. Despite the strict restrictions, North Korea is one of the least tolerant countries when it comes to gambling.
The European Union is one of the most liberal places in the world when it comes to online gambling. Popular European nations like France, Germany, and Switzerland allow the activity. Other countries in the region are Norway, Denmark, and Italy. However, if you are planning to gamble in one of these countries, be sure to check with the local government first. Some European countries don’t allow online gambling at all. This is especially true in countries like Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, and Spain.
Most countries that ban online gambling have strict laws protecting their citizens’ privacy. The Vatican also bans online gambling, citing its religious influence. Even the average Hungarian might not know that online gambling is illegal. In spite of the bans, people have found ways to circumvent the laws and keep on gambling. Many third-world countries, including Cambodia, have a high percentage of poor people. Fortunately, these countries are beginning to crack down on gambling and the industry.
While most countries have laws in place to protect their citizens from online gambling, regulations for offline gambling vary by country. In Europe, land-based casinos must be licensed by European Law before they can operate online. This means that foreign online gambling operators cannot operate legally in the country. However, there are exceptions. In Finland, for example, online gambling is permitted for lottery operators, while monopoly operators are prohibited in the Netherlands. However, there is still some confusion about online gambling laws in the Nordic countries.
Countries Where Online Gambling Is Illegal
While nearly every Islamic country prohibits gambling, many turn a blind eye towards it. Even if this is true, people can still access online gaming websites that are aimed at Arab players. The United Arab Emirates is stricter than other Islamic countries and anyone caught gambling in the country faces up to two years in jail. It also bans online gambling in Brunei, where players can be jailed up to two years.
Several countries in Africa have extremely strict laws against gambling. Some have no internet at all, while others do not mention the practice. However, some African countries do allow gambling, and the UAE and Mauritius both permit it to a certain extent. Despite the strict laws, however, this hasn’t prevented people from engaging in illegal gambling. In addition to South Africa and UAE, other African countries do not prohibit online gambling.
Japan banned online gambling in 2005, but some forms were allowed to operate there under certain circumstances. A few casinos and motorsports betting, however, were legalized in 2016. Online gambling is still illegal in Singapore. In the Philippines, however, sports betting and other types of online gambling are allowed under PAGCOR-approved sites, while online casinos are still illegal in the country. And in Vietnam, sports betting is allowed on land-based casinos, but online gambling is still illegal.
