How Online Gambling Laws Differ by Country
The laws that govern online gambling services differ from one country to another all over the world. While some countries have adopted regulated gambling, others have adopted strict bans or only confined types of it. This article aims to give an insight into the various aspects of gambling laws in several relevant geographies.
The Legal Framework for Online Gambling in Portugal
Portugal is one of the few countries that operates on a well-defined legal framework. In fact, Portugal casinos online have been a thing since 2015 when Portugal’s Council of Ministers passed the bill. This framework has made the authorized online casinos in Portugal very popular among players who want to gamble safely. In the following section, we discuss the market regulation by the SRIJ and the kind of gambling that is legal in the country.
Oversight by Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos (SRIJ)
The operation of all gambling activities is regulated by Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos (SRIJ). The legal framework under Decree-Law No. 422/89 and Decree-Law No. 31/2011 regulates all land-based and online betting.
SRIJ’s strict supervision makes the market very structured. The establishment of the service requires a valid license and should be regulated by a number of rules in Portugal.
Types of Gambling Allowed in Portugal
Legal online gambling in Portugal includes sports betting, poker as well as online casino games. Our data shows that legal rules work to the advantage of the players while providing them safety as well as entertainment.
United States: A Patchwork of State Laws
The important thing to note about regulations in the US is that there is a federal law and there are state laws. These two don’t need to align and if something is prohibited by federal law, it can still be legal in certain states so long as their state law permits it. That said, federal law will take precedence in instances where state laws on the issue are conflicting.
Federal vs State-Level Regulations
Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006 is a federal law that doesn’t explicitly prohibit this activity. What it does is forbid wagering businesses to accept payments that result in unlawful gambling. In other words, only businesses in states where online gambling is legal can accept players located in those same states. To be specific all forms of internet gambling are only legal in Delaware, Michigan, Connecticut, New Jersey, Rhode Island, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
Restrictions in Certain Areas
Utah and Hawaii are the only two states where all forms of gambling are banned. As far as other gambling laws by state go, they permit one or more of the following:
- Tribal casinos
- Retail sportsbooks
- Online fantasy sports
- Online betting
Online Gambling Regulations in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, a good framework already exists to monitor and supervise the operators and players.
The Role of the UK Gambling Commission
The UK Gambling Commission(UKGC) is a body that monitors both retail and digital gambling businesses as well as the national lottery. In short, they do the following:
- Issue licenses
- Perform compliance audits
- Set the rules or limitations on gambling advertising and sponsorships
- Oversee transactions to prevent money laundering within the sector.
Licensing and Consumer Protection Measure
Licensed brands need to respect the commissions’ consumer protection measures. This means denying service to underaged users and respecting the self-exclusion register. They also need to host provably fair or certified games.
Online Gambling Laws in Canada
In 2022 through Bill C-218 Canada made single-event sports betting legal. However, even before the law was amended foreign online casinos and sportsbooks have accepted Canadian players. According to Federal law or Part VII of the Criminal Code of Canada to be specific, provincially approved brands are allowed to offer this form of entertainment. However, the act of gambling is not criminalized which allows Canadians to use sites based outside of the country. and regulated.
Provincial Regulation and Its Impact
Provinces are allowed to regulate their own markets and some of them are more progressive than others. British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec have come up with government-controlled operators such as BCLC, PlayNow, and Lotto Quebec. iGaming Ontario is a bit different though as they also have a framework for regulating offshore brands.
The Role of Government-Run Operators
Most of the leading casino and sportsbook operators that exist in Canada are usually owned and run by the government. The gaming options there are somewhat limited but these are considered safer playgrounds compared to the offshore sites. It’s easier to apply local consumer protection laws and the proceeds go towards the betterment of the local economy.
How Regulations Impact Players
The legalization of online gambling tends to have an immediate impact on the market. For example, when the U.S. Supreme Court legalized sports betting, American players spent over 200 billion USD on this entertainment. But it’s worth pointing out that most of those players were playing on illegal sites before the legalization. Giving the green light to this form of entertainment definitely increases the number of active gamblers in the country, but it also makes the activity safer.
Overall, most players are affected by the differences in online gambling laws from one country to another. For example, regulatory measures applied in the UK include a high standard of protecting players and preventing gambling fraud. On the other hand, less regulation may make players vulnerable to fraud or unfair practices.
Players should always check the legal status of online gambling in their jurisdiction and play in a legal manner at properly licensed operators. We found that sticking to the regulated platforms leads to a more positive player experience since it is safe and fair.