Gambling laws, regulation and licensing in different countries

Gambling online is not the same everywhere, depending on the rules of the jurisdiction. For instance, different rules apply to online casinos listed at aussielowdepositcasino.com and digital gambling platforms in Japan.

But we’ve got that covered!

Our team of gamblers and legal experts analysed gambling regulations in some of the biggest casino markets. This is extremely important because the industry keeps changing. National institutions need to keep track of all changes, adjusting the laws accordingly.

New tech solutions are the main reason why governments keep an eye on the casino industry. For example, the newest mobile casinos offer advanced features that dominate the market, but they also require analysis and regulation. And that’s how we got to this article.

Let’s check out casino licensing in different countries.

Online casino regulations in Australia

The Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 (IGA) governs online gambling in Australia. This act prohibits online casinos from offering their services to Australian citizens, although it does not make it illegal for Australians to gamble online.

However, the law does make it illegal to advertise digital gambling services to the citizens Down Under. This means that any online casino that wants to operate within the country must obtain a license from the Australian government. Each platform must go through a rigorous application process:

• Fulfilling customer protection standards
• Taking care of security protocols
•  Paying attention to responsible gambling practices

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) monitors all interactive gaming websites in the country. It has the power to investigate and take enforcement action against online casinos that breach IGA regulations.

Online casino regulations in the US

The online casino industry in the US is fairly complicated. Although online casinos contribute to the national economy, each state regulates the market on its own. In other words, each state has its own set of laws and regulations. Some of them allow online gambling, while others prohibit it. The former includes seven states:

• Nevada
• New Jersey
• Michigan
• West Virginia
• Delaware
• Connecticut
• Pennsylvania

States that legalised online gambling have strict regulations to ensure that the games are fair and square. The main rule is that each platform must obtain a state-issued license. Besides that, casino licensing includes these actions:

• A thorough background check
• Regular financial audits
• Compliance audits

Online casinos may also be required to partner with a land-based casino. In addition, all platforms have to implement measures to prevent problem gambling, such as offering self-exclusion programs and age verification tools.

Online casino regulations in Canada

In theory, Canadian laws prohibit online gambling. Local companies don’t have the right to establish a digital gambling platform, so there aren’t any domestic websites or apps you can count on. But there are exceptions to the rule.

Namely, Canada allows online gambling via offshore providers. That’s because the Canadian government does not have the jurisdiction to regulate or prohibit these offshore operators. The reason is simple - they are based outside of Canada's borders.

However, offshore online gambling can come with some risks. These providers do not follow Canadian rules and regulations, which could be a disadvantage for players. If you want to play games on those websites, read the terms and conditions to make sure everything is fair and transparent. 

Online casino regulations in Germany

The State Treaty on Gambling, or Glücksspielstaatsvertrag (GlüStV), regulates the online gambling business in Germany. The most important thing is that it’s legal to gamble online in this country.

GlüStV permits games such as slots, blackjack, and roulette. However, casinos must follow very strict conditions. For example, operators must have a valid license issued by the relevant state regulatory authority. Besides that, they have to respect player protection measures.

One of them is the establishment of a nationwide player self-exclusion system. This system allows players to voluntarily exclude themselves from all licensed online gambling sites in Germany for a specified period of time.

GlüStV is also trying to prevent underage gambling and problem gambling. For this reason, online casino operators must verify the age and identity of all players. They must also provide access to support services for players who struggle with addiction or similar issues.

Final thoughts

Gamblers who frequently move from one country to another should always analyse online local casino regulations. These differ drastically from country to country, so you don’t want to end up in a whirlpool of fake news, subpar services, or even legal issues.

In this post, we analysed gambling regulations in Australia, America, Canada, and Germany. For us, it was fascinating to discover so many subtle differences between these four legal systems.

We hope this overview helped you figure out the gambling world, but feel free to write a comment if you want us to analyse some other country. We might as well write another article about it! 

Disclaimer |  Play responsibly. For help, visit www.rgf.org.mt. Players must be over 18, terms and conditions apply.