Online casinos - Why the rules differ so much country to country
The online casino industry is a global one that is continually expanding.
Different countries have varying opinions towards gambling. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are differing rules from country to country governing online casinos. This can relate to just who can use the online casinos, the legal age to gamble and taxation issues.
In the USA, there has for a long time been stringent laws against some forms of gambling. Those wanting to use online casinos rather than pay a trip to Las Vegas or Atlantic City had to use offshore sites. It was ok to go to bricks and mortar casinos and bet on racetracks but not online casinos. This situation happens in other countries too.
The situation has changed in the USA in the past year after a Supreme Court ruling. Previously, legalizing gambling was a federal decision, now each individual state can decide what course of action to take.
This is good news and a growing number of states have legalized gambling though or are in the process of doing so. Taxation revenue that can be received from gambling is one good reason why they are so keen. However, this does mean that different states have different rules, so you need to keep abreast of the current situation in each state.
The United Kingdom hasn’t always been an easy place to gamble. High Street betting shops weren’t allowed until the 1960s. Now though the laws are a lot more relaxed and online casinos are flourishing.
The laws that are in place are more of the protective sort with concerns over underage gambling. This is a reason why online casinos want members to verify their accounts to ensure they are of a legal age to gamble. Sites that allow underage gambling can find themselves in hot water.
Many other countries in Europe have legalized all sorts of gambling This includes Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Sweden. Some Eastern European nations such as Russia and Poland haven’t legalized online casinos but won’t act if residents use foreign sites. Reading dedicated, well-researched casino reviews should always be done before playing to give you peace of mind that you are playing with a reputable operator.
Taxation levels do vary in each country. This is partly to raise revenue and to show an unwillingness for gambling to become too prevalent. It is important that there are some laws that regulate gambling. If this wasn’t the case, then it’s likely online casinos wouldn’t be as safe as they can be. Look for online casinos that are licensed and regulated.
Countries in the Middle East are not so keen on making online casinos legal. For example, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have outlawed betting. Then there are countries such as Vietnam. They will allow tourists to gamble but aren’t that willing at present to allow residents of the country to do so. Again, the desire to earn revenue from tourism is a major factor.
So, it’s important to do some research when travelling to other countries to find out their laws re online casinos.
