Online casino gambling is becoming increasingly popular. In many countries, it’s now legal for companies to offer a variety of games such as scratch cards, slot machines, blackjack, roulette and more. But not all of the laws are standard across the board.
Different nations have different regulations about online gambling: where it’s legal and where it’s prohibited. Check out this breakdown to learn how law varies from country to country.
The Legalities of Online Casino Gambling
The legalities of online casino gambling vary from country to country. For example, the UK allows players to gamble on games of chance but prohibits them from playing poker and other card games.
In Canada, you can play poker on your computer, but it is prohibited to bet on it.
In Australia, you can gamble at an online casino as long as the operator is licensed by the government or if it’s located outside the country.
In France, online casino gambling is illegal no matter where the operator is located.
The Laws in the United States
The U.S. legalizes online gambling for adults in most states if it’s done with a reputable, licensed company. The only state that still has an absolute ban on all forms of gambling is Hawaii. Residents from any other states are free to enjoy casino games as long as they stay within the law.
Federal law permits online poker and betting on sports to be played from inside the United States, but these activities are restricted to those 18 and older. As long as you’re over 18 and stick to betting on games like poker and sports, it should be legal for you to gamble online in America.
The Laws in Canada
In Canada, online gambling is legal. There are a number of governing bodies in the country that regulate online casino games. The National Gambling Authority maintains a list of restricted sites and blacklists those with illegal content.
The Canadian government also has gambling laws on the books that cover betting and lotteries. For example, it’s illegal for minors to gamble, except for under certain conditions like horse racing at tracks or charitable events run by churches and church groups.
It’s also illegal to advertise gambling-related products to people under 18 years old in Canada.
The Laws in Australia
In Australia, it’s legal to gamble online. However, you must be over 18 years of age and a resident of the country. You must also have a good understanding of English as you need to read and understand the terms and conditions before signing up.