Online gambling has grown into a massive industry that now spans across the globe. Despite its worldwide popularity, in most jurisdictions, it’s subject to stringent regulations. In many others, it’s actually banned completely yet it faces stringent regulations and outright bans in various countries.
While there are still ways around this in most instances, players should always be aware of how to safely navigate these platforms. This to avoid not just the authorities but also any malicious persons out there who may wish to exploit them like hackers or scammers.
With this in mind, here’s a look at five countries that restrict online gambling and how to play safely if you’re from there.
Countries Where Online Gambling is Restricted
1. Thailand
In Thailand, most forms of gambling, including online gambling, are illegal apart from state-run national lotteries. There are no legal casinos in the country and though there are plans in place to change this through massive casino resorts that are being developed there, for now, most forms of gambling are off-limits to locals and tourists.
However, for locals and foreigners living or visiting there, the best Thai online casinos are currently available through offshore platforms. According to gambling editor Nick Pappas, players should, however, be careful to only play on sites that have first been checked by professional reviewers to confirm their safety.
These sites usually include plenty of added perks like better bonuses, faster payouts, and a wider variety of games. They allow players from virtually anywhere so long as you have a decent enough internet connection and don’t face any restrictions on surfing sites outside of your country.
2. China
China is a country that has become notorious for how restrictive its internet laws are. The communist nation bans all forms of online gambling aside from state-run lotteries. The Chinese government is also infamous for its ability to crack down on internet freedom. In that sense, it actively censors a massive array of platforms, including online gambling sites.
However, this isn’t the only thing that prevents people from using online gambling sites there. The fact that the Chinese government takes censorship so seriously means it uses highly sophisticated technologies to monitor and control what sites and apps its citizens use and interact with.
As a result, there can be severe consequences for anyone disobeying these laws. Between the extent of censorship and how well-policed it is, it’s usually not worth it to even try getting around this kind of legal regime. This is also why the world’s largest online betting operators, despite knowing the world’s largest untapped market exists there, won’t bother trying to operate there.
That isn’t to say that online gambling doesn’t happen there. With a good enough VPN or sites that fly under the radar and haven’t been blocked, it is possible to gamble online in China and many people do. However, anyone thinking of trying should do so knowing full well what a risky endeavor it can be.
3. Singapore
Unlike its Asian neighbor, Singapore may also have very strict laws against online gambling, but do cater to some exceptions. These exceptions are meant to be tightly regulated and consist of a handful of local operators who are granted something of a monopoly over certain aspects of the gambling industry.
To enforce it all, Singapore relies on The Remote Gambling Act which criminalizes a wide variety of online gambling activities if they are conducted in a manner other than the ones prescribed under it.
To play safely in Singapore and avoid legal problems, residents may legally gamble through approved operators like Singapore Pools and the Singapore Turf Club. To avoid penalties, online betting activities must be conducted through these channels only. This kind of regime does have its perks, like the fact that it affords consumer protections to players.
Singapore also regulates and monitors the internet activity of its citizenry. However, it’s important to note that Singapore isn’t necessarily as harsh as China in this sense. As a result, many players do find ways, such as by using VPNs, to mask the fact that they play at offshore gambling sites.
However, players should note that even if not caught, this is done at their own risk since those sites are not controlled by The Remote Gambling Act or its consumer protections.
4. United Arab Emirates
The UAE, like most Islamic countries, strictly prohibits all forms of gambling, including online gambling The penalties for engaging in all types of gambling, including online gambling, can be swift and severe, including fines and imprisonment.
It is advisable for both citizens and visitors to abstain from online gambling while in the UAE. Beyond it just being a question of law in the country and many other Islamic nations, it’s also a cultural and religious belief. While a few exceptions exist such as racetracks for tourists, by and large, everyone in the UAE is expected to respect the country’s laws and the beliefs they stem from.
5. USA
The USA deserves a mention here too since it has a unique view on how online gambling is regulated. With the US’s famous federated legal system in play here, the issue of online gambling has been left up to individual states to decide on. This has led to a patchwork legal system where only a few states offer fully legalized online gambling and casinos and most states do not.
States like Pennsylvania and New Jersey are among the few states that have legalized online gambling and offer thriving options for players there. However, many more states do have it on the agenda to begin taking steps toward legalization too so this number is likely to grow soon.
However, for every other state where it’s currently illegal now, as the USA is one of the freest countries in the world, players from any state have virtually limitless freedom and access to play on offshore sites. While many states may actively not allow this, in reality, it isn’t something that is very often actively enforced.
Conclusion
According to Corefy, as of 2022, there were 93 countries that allow online gambling of some form. However, for players, navigating the complex world of online gambling requires a clear understanding of the legal environment in each country. For residents and travelers in countries where gambling is restricted, it’s vital to adhere to local laws and cultural expectations as much as possible. However, even in places where online gambling isn’t allowed, there are ways around this and many players do take advantage of these loopholes.