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Online gambling (aka Internet gambling) is a kind of gambling conducted on the web. It includes casino games (pokies, poker, roulette, blackjack, etc.), lotteries, sports betting, and live casino games. Instead of going to a land-based casino (which takes much time), players need a PC, laptop, or smartphone and a good Internet connection.
There are many perks of online gambling. For example, the most generous offer at virtual casinos is probably no deposit bonus codes 2022. A player should create an account at a legal web casino to take advantage of them. A legal casino is a gambling platform licensed by Gambling Board and permitted to operate within a country. So, how will you know where online gambling is considered legal?
Our team of experts has made a list of countries where online gambling is entirely legal. So, you can check it out right now!
Australia
Although there is the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) that prohibits any interactive gambling service (it was passed in 2001 by the Australian Government), residents of the country can play different online casino games. Besides, sports betting is also legal in Australia. State government licensed sportsbooks in operation.
Even though online gambling is banned in the country, there are many reputable offshore casinos with thousands of pokies, table, and card games where Aussies can gamble legally.
France
France is one of the countries where online gambling is legal. It means residents can play at licensed web casinos registered in the country.
In 2009, France passed new laws that regulate and tax online gambling. Eric Woerth — a budget minister said that the gambling market should adapt to “Internet reality”, and it would be reasonable not to ban 25,000 gambling sites that could lure players in and just extort money. But instead, give licences to the operators who respect fair gambling environments and social order.
However, there is one type of gambling restricted in the country — betting exchanges. They remain illegal under this law.
United Kingdom
In 2003, Great Britain joined the list of countries where Internet gambling is legal. The Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, proposed a law that made online gambling legal. She believed it was essential for the country to keep up with the advances in technology.
Tessa said that the last gambling act dated back to the 1960s. Since then, the attitude to gambling has changed a lot. So, the law should reflect it.
Instead of being out of time, it should correlate with technological changes. The Culture Minister argued that “gambling is a rapidly growing industry that attracts millions of people”. It is diverse and innovative, so it is critical to adapt gambling to reality.
Now, the Bill identifies the general changes concerning online gambling in the UK.
It states that online gambling is legal only after a casino provider gets a licence, permit, or registration. Last but not least, people under 18 are not allowed to gamble: neither at land-based casinos nor online.
Ukraine
Initially, gambling was prohibited in Ukraine because of a fire at an illegal casino in Dnipro, in which nine players died.
In 2009, the Law On Prohibition of Gambling Business was signed by the president — Viktor Yushchenko. This law made all forms of gambling illegal. It referred to pokies, bookmaking, and online gambling as well.
Despite the law, many casinos with valid licences kept operating within the country. In 2020, about one thousand venues were closed as the first stage for a legalised market.
The same year, the Verkhovna Rada passed the law to legalise online gambling in Ukraine. However, it was only the first stage of the law.
Canada
Online gambling is entirely legal in Canada. But legislation prohibits any forms of gambling in land-based casinos not licensed by a provincial government.
Despite the law, approximately 1500 offshore websites offer hundreds of pokies, table, and card games to Canadian citizens.
It is supposed that the Canadian government has to prosecute online gambling operations outside the country. However, it has done this only once.
In 2004, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation launched the first legal online casino in Canada. It makes online gambling available to residents of Manitoba and British Columbia.
Sweden
Sweden has a similar approach to online gambling as the UK. Online gambling is legal in Sweden, and there are no taxes on winnings. In 2002, the government amended the bill, which made online gambling a legal activity in the country.
However, the Swedish government does require that all online gambling operators be licensed in Sweden. It ensures that only reputable companies can offer online gambling services in Sweden.
Germany
Now online gambling is legal in Germany, but it was not so a decade ago when all forms of online betting and gaming were banned in the country. However, in 2010, the European Court of Justice held that the gambling industry had to be liberalised.
Speaking of gambling types, we should notice that in addition to sports betting, online casino games like slots, blackjack, poker, roulette, baccarat, some dice, and lottery games are licensable in Germany now.
Denmark
Denmark also has a liberal gambling law. In 2018, the Gambling Law was amended. It made legal betting on horses, dogs, and pigeon racing.
Plus, there are no restrictions on how much money can be wagered or won. There are also no taxes on winnings from online gambling. It makes Denmark an attractive destination for online gamblers from around the world.
