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The online gambling industry has exploded in recent years, but the legal landscape surrounding internet wagering remains complex and often confusing. Laws and regulations governing online casinos, such as MeGreen, sportsbooks, poker sites, and other gaming platforms differ significantly depending on where you are located and which regulatory agencies hold jurisdiction.
This guide aims to parse through the dense legal web surrounding the online gambling industry to provide clarity on key regulations, restrictions, gray areas and more. We’ll explore major themes and trends in internet gaming laws worldwide as well as break down regulations on a region-by-region basis. Let’s dive in.

Global Online Gambling - Big Picture Trends and Statistics

Before surveying the patchwork of laws across different countries and territories, it helps to understand the 30,000 foot view of the online gaming industry. A few major trends stand out:

• Online gambling is growing rapidly - The global online gambling market size was valued at USD 92.9 billion in 2022. Industry revenue is projected to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.5% through 2030.
• Regulation is increasing but varies dramatically - Many jurisdictions have moved to regulate online gambling in recent years. However, regulatory approaches differ significantly. Some take liberal stances while others ban most forms of internet gaming.
• Gray markets still thrive - Even where strict internet gaming bans exist, offshore operators often offer services illegally, creating problematic gray markets. Estimates suggest gray markets account for anywhere from 13% to 50% of global online gambling revenue.

Now let’s explore the patchwork of laws and regulations across different regions and countries.

Online Gambling Laws and Regulations - Regional Breakdown

North America - Complex Mix of Legalization and Prohibition

The legal internet gaming landscape across North America features a complex mix of stances, though momentum seems to be moving towards legalization and regulation.

United States

Online gambling regulation occurs at the state level in the U.S. Some states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan have legalized internet gaming, but it remains prohibited across most of the country. At the federal level, online gambling isn’t explicitly outlawed but also isn’t officially legalized either.

Canada

Legalized and regulated online gambling recently at the federal level but leaves specifics like licensing up to the provinces. The result is a growing regulated internet gaming market across most of Canada.

Europe - Liberal Regulatory Approaches Predominate

Europe is home to some of the most mature legal online gambling markets globally. EU directives have pushed members to regulate internet gaming rather than enforce outright bans. As a result, legal licensed online casinos, sportsbooks and poker sites operate in many European countries.

• United Kingdom - The U.K. serves as one example of Europe’s predominantly liberal regulatory stance on internet gaming. Online gambling is legal and licensed operators are regulated by the U.K. Gambling Commission.
• Sweden - Sweden demonstrates how E.U. members have established licensed regulatory frameworks governing online casinos, betting and other gaming verticals available to residents.

Asia Pacific - Mixed Bag of Legal Stances

Asia Pacific encompasses a diverse mix of stances on internet gaming, ranging from total prohibition to liberal legalization frameworks.

• Australia - Permits online gambling but prohibits certain gaming formats like online poker and casino games. Sports betting and lottery wagering via internet channels are allowed and regulated.
• Singapore - Takes a heavy prohibitive stance, with most forms of online gambling strictly banned. Exceptions exist for state-run lottery and sports betting platforms.
• New Zealand - New Zealand allows and regulates online casinos, sportsbooks, poker sites and other internet gaming verticals licensed by its Gambling Commission.

Takeaway - Complex and Evolving Online Gambling Legal Landscape

As seen in this breakdown, the global legal landscape for online gambling remains complex. Laws and regulations vary significantly across different countries and jurisdictions. And yet common themes like increasing regulation and expansion of legal markets emerge as well.
Of course, this breakdown only scratches the surface of internet gaming’s legal intricacies across the globe. Entire books have been written on the subject as regulations continue evolving. But hopefully this guide provides useful context on major trends and regional variances in the complex legal web surrounding online gambling worldwide.