The online gambling industry is a vast and expansive world of casino games, sportsbook odds, and sign-up deals all vying for your attention and patronage. With the growth of mobile connectivity, one can access an online gambling site from anywhere in the world. But is it legal to do so?

Gambling legislation of any kind is uncommon in Africa, with the notable exception of South Africa. Many land-based gambling operations operate throughout the continent, but specific laws for taking the activity online are rare. Due to South Africa being the only country with specific online gambling legislation, we have focused our gambling. Here’s what the law states and how to enjoy casino gaming online. Nine Gambling Boards. South Africa’s nine provinces govern sports gambling activities locally. Each province has a gambling regulator and that means the country’s laws vary depending on where you live. Most online casinos, however, get their licenses from the Western Cape.

Well, that depends on where you are currently located and what site you are trying to bet with. The legalities of online gambling are an extremely complicated issue due to the multitude of jurisdictions and regulating bodies around the world. Some countries with legalized gambling allow citizens to access any online casinos while others only permit access to sites legislated by that state.

For this reason, we’ve designed this guide to help you determine what your options are relative to where you are located! Read a bit further down so that you may enjoy online gambling while staying on the right side of the law.

For those that want to jump to the chase, we have organized the information by region:

What Do We Mean by “Online Gambling/Licensing Jurisdictions”?

As we mentioned before, different regions of the world approach online gambling differently. Some have outright made the practice illegal, others have chosen to regulate the industry within their borders heavily. Some countries allow you to access offshore sites, where others do not.

For example, the United Kingdom once allowed bettors to access any online casino of their choice since gambling is legal there. However, in 2012 the laws were changed, and only casinos with equipment in the UK and duly licensed by the UK Gambling Commission are legal. So, depending on where you are, your options will change.

There is a wide range of jurisdictions and regulatory bodies out there, and as we saw with the previous example, they are always subject to change. It is forever a good idea to be current on local laws as they pertain to gambling, but that’s not all. You also want to be mindful of the various organizations out there issuing the licenses and enforcing the rules. You may find all of this information in this guide or on this site.

Why Is Online Gambling Regulation & Legislation Important for You?

Latest slot machine jackpots. The first reason learning about industry regulation and legislation is essential is for your financial safety. Many online gamblers get scammed by unlicensed, unregulated websites that look legitimate, then disappear with everyone’s money like an office in the movie Boiler Room. Depending on the jurisdiction, a licensed and regulated online casino can ensure you fair odds, the ability to withdraw your money at your convenience, and that they won’t just close up shop out of the blue.

Online Gambling Legislation South Africa Government

But be warned! There are some regulating bodies out there, typically operating out of small, Caribean Islands that offer little more than a license in exchange for cash. They don’t police the sites themselves or provide any consumer protections.

Further, some gambling sites will follow regulations long enough to be granted a license from one of the governing bodies, which they will proudly display on their website, only to stop adhering to the rules shortly after. They lure potential gamblers into a false sense of security for the purposes of receiving more deposits. But don’t worry, sites like this one will help you select your sites wisely!

Below are some links to various licensing bodies you may encounter online. You will want to read these guides to confirm that any site you are planning to use is actually being regulated by the licensing authority that they boast on their front page:

The second reason to be mindful of regulation is merely to guarantee that you are operating within the law. While it’s rare for individual users to be tracked down and punished for using illegal online gambling sites, it can still be problematic. For instance, what happens if you hit the jackpot and win big? Receiving large amounts of money from an online account tied to gambling could raise some eyebrows, depending on the country you are in.

For a more thorough look at online gambling regulation, please see our guide dedicated to this subject:

Online Gambling Laws by Region

North America

United States

Online gambling in the United States operates in a bit of a grey area. On the one hand, it is not expressly illegal federally; but on the other hand, it is not legal either. In fact, in 2006 legislation was passed which made it illegal for banks to participate in transactions between online casinos and financial institutions.

In response, many gambling operators stopped allowing US customers to play on their sites. However, others persisted in accepting customers from the States, arguing that as long as they were licensed and regulated within their own jurisdiction, they were not being unlawful in receiving customers from there.

Currently, the legality of online gambling mainly depends on the state in which one is residing. Some have legalized the practice, offering their own licensing and regulation procedures within their borders. Others outlaw online gaming entirely, while many more continue to debate how they will handle the issue.

To learn the legality of online gambling in your state, please follow the links below:

Canada

Similar to the United States, the providences in Canada regulate online gambling in their own regions. While some rely on the country-wide laws to cover gaming, others offer and operate their individual gambling institutions.

No Canadian law explicitly makes gambling online illegal. However, there is a law that makes providing gaming services to Canadian citizens without a license from the government illegal. Like it’s neighbor to the South, online gambling is a bit of a grey area in Canada.

For a more in-depth understanding of gambling laws in Canada, check out our full guide at the link below:

South America

At least some form of gambling is legal in most South American countries, but there are some restrictions. Some nations only allow lotteries or betting on horse races, for instance. Most importantly, gambling on foreign websites is legal throughout most of the continent. Some countries even provide their own regulatory bodies to govern the industry.

Online Gambling Legislation South Africa Government

For the gambling laws in each individual country, please read our full guide linked below:

Oceania

The laws governing gambling in Australia are stringent. Currently, only sports betting and lotteries are permitted to be wagered on legally. These rules are covered by the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001, which makes casino games and live betting illegal. Regardless, no laws are prohibiting Australian residents from accessing and utilizing overseas gambling websites, so there is a loophole.

New Zealand, on the other hand, has apparent and concise rules for online gambling. Since 2003, their law has stated explicitly that citizens of New Zealand may legally access overseas gambling operators. The only caveat is that the sites offering these services may not advertise in the country.

For more details about the country-specific laws in Oceania, follow the link below:

Europe

Online gambling laws in Europe vary from country to country. Some outright ban the industry, while several others heavily regulate and legalize the activity. One country with a comprehensive and well defined regulatory process is the United Kingdom.

The Gambling Commission in the UK licenses all gambling institutions available to the citizenry of the country. This includes online gaming. Citizens of the country may not access gambling websites operated or authorized outside of the country.

France has similar laws to the UK; only they allow overseas websites that meet their legislative criteria. For the specific gambling laws legislating each country in Europe, check out these individual guides:

United Kingdom*