Where Are Online Casinos Legal? Countries & Laws

Online casino laws differ greatly, and this is not only across the United States, but across countries and regions. In this article, we discuss where online casinos are legal, why online casinos are legal as they are, what the regulations and norms are worldwide, and what operators and players should know about entering a given market before trying to enter a niche.

Thinking of starting an online casino?

Table of Contents

If so, the first thing you have to do is identify the market and the audience you want to target.

Since iGaming is the biggest market in the world, selecting the right country is a challenge.

As the casino gaming industry is growing, entrepreneurs have started operating in countries where online casinos are unregulated or illegal.

The consequences?

Domain shutdown, loss of money, hefty fines, reputational damage, legal actions, etc.

Therefore, it’s important to know about legal states in online casinos that have potential revenue growth.

Let’s dig in to find the countries where online casinos are legal.

Reminder 👇

Online gaming regulations are updated every year across the world. PieGaming team keeps an eye on industry trends and news and updates its audience on the current legal status of the selected country or jurisdiction.

Detailed Synopsis Of Online Casino Legality

The iGaming industry is growing rapidly, thanks to the evolution of technology. This is one of the reasons why existing operators are switching from land-based casinos to online casinos legal.

Stats & Facts 💡

The global online casino market grew from USD 79.80 billion in 2023 to USD 93 billion in 2024. It is projected to continue growing at a CAGR of 10.57%, reaching USD 161.32 billion by 2030.

Source: Research And Markets

Online gambling market overview

There are 195 countries in the world, and where online casinos are legal, they have different regulations for it. It all depends upon the economy, cultural background, legal system, and political situation of a particular country. Every year, new laws are passed and replace the old ones.

Keeping yourself updated with laws – especially in the targeted jurisdiction- is crucial in making an effective decision.

Bonus?

It will not only keep you from bending or flouting the law but also boost your credibility amongst users.

More about online casino legal states:

Globally, there are 79 regulated online casino markets. These markets allow operators and players to run and play online casino games legally. Examples of regulated markets include Armenia, Sweden, and the UK.

46 are unregulated markets – these are the countries where iGaming is neither prohibited nor has licenses or regulations. They don’t have laws to regulate iGaming, which doesn’t make it illegal, technically. Example: Venezuela.

Further, the number of countries where iGaming is illegal is 70. Such countries take action against players who are caught visiting foreign online casino legal websites. Example: Turkey.

Online casino market overview across the world

It’s time to move further and get into the list of countries that run legal online casinos.

Here is the categorization of the countries (based on continents) we’ll talk about:

Countries where online casinos are regulated
Countries where online casinos are unregulated
Countries where online casinos are illegal

List of Countries Where Online Casinos Are Regulated

Europe	Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia (land-based casino license required), Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Spain, the UK, Gibraltar, Norway, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Singapore.
Asia	The Philippines (licensees may not accept locals), India, Georgia (land-based casino license required by law), and Armenia.
Africa	Angola, Chad, Mayotte, Comoros, Eswatini, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Reunion Island, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
North America	Antigua and Barbuda, Virgin Islands (USA), Belize, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Aruba, Canada, Curacao, Dominica (licensees may not accept local players), Dominican Republic (licensees may not accept local players), Greenland, Nicaragua, Panama, the United States.
South America	Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Argentina, Falkland Islands, Suriname, Venezuela.
Oceania	French Polynesia, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands.

List Of Countries Where Online Casino Is Unregulated

Europe	Andorra, Faroe Islands, Kosovo
Asia	Mongolia
Africa	Ethiopia, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central, African Republic, Congo, Djibouti, DR Congo, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Sao Tome and Principe, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zambia, Zimbabwe
North America	Bolivia, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Falkland Islands
South America	Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Argentina, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Suriname, Venezuela,
Oceania	French Polynesia, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands

List of Countries Where Online Casinos Are Illegal

Europe	Albania, Cyprus, Iceland, Russian Federation
Asia	Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, the UAE, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen
Africa	Algeria, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia,
North America	Cuba, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos Islands
South America	Chile, Ecuador, French Guiana, Uruguay, Trinidad and Tobago
Oceania	Australia, Samoa, Tuvalu

Biggest iGaming-Friendly Countries | Most Profitable Markets In 2025

You know that the iGaming market is very big, with its roots spread in almost every country.

What are these countries?

It’s time to find out the regions that are iGaming-friendly.

1) United Kingdom

Let’s start with the country, which is known as the land of “Kings and Queens.” The United Kingdom is regarded as the second-largest online casino market in Europe.

Since the demand is so high here, the companies and regulators keep improving and updating the iGaming system.

UK iGaming license is divided into three categories:

Operating
Personal
Premises

The operating and personal licenses are issued by the gambling licenses, while local authorities issue premises licenses.

In 2024, the UK gambling regulatory framework made crucial updates aimed at enhancing player protection and promoting responsible iGaming, including financial risk and strict advertising regulations.

Read More – 7 Things That Make A Good Online Casino

2) Curaçao

A small island country situated in the South Caribbean, Curaçao is among the oldest, most cost-effective, and most accessible iGaming jurisdictions in the world. In 1993, the country released its iGaming license.

The country is a hub for online casinos because the application process is quite simple compared to other countries. The National Ordinance for Games of Chance regulation aims to modernise and strengthen the regulatory environment for iGaming.

However, operators need to procure the license from the newly established Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA).

3) Malta

Well-known as a leading iGaming hub, Malta has a range of iGaming activities such as online casinos, poker, bingo, lotteries, fixed-odds betting, and fantasy sports.

The country’s regulatory framework is more developed and stable with clear guidelines from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).

In addition, Malta offers competitive corporate tax rates of around 5%, which is much lower than other jurisdictions. The existing iGaming companies in Malta have incredible networking and partnership opportunities that enable operators to earn substantially.

4) Philippines

iGaming has been legal in the Philippines since 1976. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) regulates the casino industry in the country. The country, with a population of 115 million and an area of 115,831 sq miles, has multiple casino businesses.

As per TGM 2022 Gambling survey in the Philippines, 38.9% of people bet on sports, out of which 20.8% placed bets online or via apps while attending sports events.

Operators seeking to establish an iGaming business in the Philippines must obtain an appropriate license from PAGCOR. Compliance with AML regulations is also mandatory.

5) Spain

Considered to be among the biggest iGaming countries in the world, Spain boasts a rich history in the online casino industry. Since former emperors had a keen interest in this industry, the country legalised it in 1981.

Apart from this, Spain is also a leading country in the sports betting market. Big international sports events like the Spanish Grand Prix and Madrid Masters attract many sports bettors from across the world.

The operators in Spain are subject to taxation on their Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR). The tax rate is set at 10% of GGR for operators. If you want to run an iGaming business in Spain, going with white label sportsbook solutions would be a great choice.

6) South Africa

Gambling was illegal in South Africa before 1996, the exception being betting on horses. In 2004, a National Gambling Amendment Act was passed to regulate and promote the economic growth of the country. It is the primary legislation governing the gambling body in SA.

The regulation of gambling in South Africa is a collaborative effort between national and provincial bodies, which include:

Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC): It creates a gambling policy that must be adhered to by the provinces.
National Gambling Board (NGB): It checks the regulation of the industry across the country.

Provincial Licensing Authorities (PLA): South Africa has nine provinces, and each of them has its own gambling board responsible for issuing licenses.

It’s important to note that the National Gambling Act prohibits interactive gambling like online casinos, but online sports betting is permitted. Operators must get the Provincial authority to run an iGaming business legally.

7) Australia

Want to know how to start an online casino in Australia? Australia has a huge number of punters with strict regulations.

Today, more operators are entering the Australian iGaming market, and the industry witnessed an 8% increase from 2020 to 2022 and is still growing.

Australia’s casino industry is regulated by the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) 2001. Under this act, various activities are prohibited, such as online casinos and in-play betting.

Online betting, online bingo, and fantasy sports are regulated by state and territory regulators.

Operators who want to open online betting businesses must hold a valid license issued by an Australian state or territory authority.

Like SA, each state in Australia has its own regulatory body overseeing casino activities. These bodies are responsible for issuing licenses to operators.

8) Canada

Known to be the biggest casino country in the world, Canada has a population of 38 million and an area of 3.8 million square miles. The casino industry thrives due to its stable economy.

Each province in Canada has different iGaming rules and regulations. However, Ontario was the first province to license private online casino operators in 2022, allowing platforms like DraftKings, Bet365, and FanDuel to operate legally.

Further, British Columbia also followed Ontario’s model to legalize iGaming. Both provinces established tax rates on revenue earned by iGaming operators, ensuring proper Canadian casino rules.

Read More – Promote an Online Casino

9) Italy

Did you know Italy is one of the first European countries to legalize iGaming? Operators who wish to run online casinos in Italy must obtain a license from the government.

The Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM), also known as AAMS (Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stato), is the official regulatory body overseeing the iGaming industry in Italy.

Licensed operators in Italy can offer the following iGaming services:

Online casinos: slot, table games, live dealer games
Online sports betting
Online poker: cash games and tournaments
Government-approved online bingo and lottery platforms
Online horse racing betting

To run legal online casinos in Italy, operators must secure a license from ADM/AAMS and pay taxes on revenue earned from Italian players.

Newest Country To Join The League Of Legal Casinos

10) Thailand

Thailand was in the headlines recently for legalising the online casino industry. Until now, iGaming was illegal in Thailand; currently, the country is witnessing significant growth in its approach to iGaming.

Let’s understand the Government’s initiative toward legalization:

Cabinet approval of draft bill: In mid-January 2025, the Thai Cabinet approved a draft bill aiming at both land-based and online casinos. The government thinks that it will enhance tourism, create more jobs, and attract investment.

Well, the goal is to regulate underground gambling operations, bring them under a legal framework, and ensure proper taxation, said Prasert Jantararuangtong, Minister of Digital Economy and Society.

Brainstorm 💡

Did you know Macau (China) is the Gambling capital of the world?

Due to the massive casino industry, a unique regulatory environment, and high revenue generation. In 2019, Macau’s gambling revenue was $36.5 billion, nearly six times higher than Las Vegas’s.

Largest iGaming Market Worldwide

Read More – What are Online Casino KPIs?

Which Country Will Legalise Online Casinos in 2025?

France Step To Make Online Casino Legal In 2025

The iGaming industry is booming at a fast rate. We have already talked about the countries where online casinos are legal.

Nevertheless, there are many countries where online casino is prohibited or banned, for instance, in France and Cyprus.

The good news?

France is planning to legalise online casinos with a big move in its 2025 budget.

Presently, only sports betting and poker are allowed in France, but many other games are banned, which has led to a big black market.

What was France’s motivation to take this step?

It’s been observed that France is facing financial challenges, including a huge budget deficit. To fend off economic worries, this step will be taken.

The French iGaming market was valued at $1.78 billion in 2020. It is projected to grow much higher, with a rate of 8% from 2021 to 2025.

As per the European Gaming and Betting Association, “France’s online casino market could make a whopping $1.86 billion a year.” This is HUGE! In 2023, the illegal sites made around $780 million to $1.56 billion, so the legal market indeed looks promising.

In summary, legalising online casinos in France will help the country’s economy and make iGaming much safer, allowing people to operate and play freely.

Successful European Online Casino Markets

Why Do You Need PieGaming’s White Label Casino Software?

Every person is different, and so is every country and its rules for the iGaming industry. Running online casinos in countries where iGaming is legal is highly important.

Budding entrepreneurs must look for white label iGaming software that is UI/UX friendly, crypto-led, has a back-office, affiliate management module integration, and a lot more.

If you want an all-in-one software solution, PieGaming can be your best bet. Our white label and turnkey casino software solutions are built with advanced technologies, making them the best choice among casino operators.

Growing in this competitive industry becomes easy with PieGaming’s robust online casino software. So, why wait? Let’s connect now.

Last Update: March 20th, 2026

FAQs

In which countries are online casinos legal?

Online casinos are legal in many countries, such as Malta, Curaçao Germany, etc. Begin your research by selecting the region in which you want to operate an online casino.
What does the online casino market growth look like?

The global online casino market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10.57% from 2023 to 2030 to reach USD 161.32 billion by 2030.

Which games should I focus on - slot games or live casino games?

The gaming content you want to offer in your online casino depends upon your target audience. Before offering any game, it’s crucial to check your target market. Once you get to know them, you will easily target them.

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Where Are Online Casinos Legal? List Of Countries & Laws

Monika Gola

Monika Gola is a seasoned writer at PieGaming specializing in the iGaming industry. With years of experience, she delivers insightful content on trends, innovations, and strategies in the online casino domain. Monika's work is known for her clarity and depth, making complex topics accessible and easy to understand to a wide audience. Explore the world of iGaming through her engaging and informative content.