As the online gambling industry grows, more countries seek to legalize and regulate this lucrative market. With the global online gambling market predicted to reach tens of billions in the near future, it’s not surprising that many countries aim to capitalize on this trend.
In this article, we will examine the main legal markets for online gambling in 2023. From established markets like the United Kingdom to developing markets like Brazil, we will explore the opportunities and legal frameworks of each market, as well as potential risks.
Why Having a License is So Important
Creating a platform for online gambling is complex and time-consuming. The primary challenge for most companies entering this field is obtaining the necessary license. It’s not as simple as creating a website, buying ads, and offering services. A company must have legal permission for such activities. This is essential at the very least to have lawful means of providing gambling services and generating profits. Legality is also a key factor in attracting major sponsors.
In some countries, obtaining a license for online gambling is quite challenging. Most companies in the market have legal addresses in EU countries, the United States, or the UK.
Regulating the Mobile App Gambling Business
Today, almost every country has its own rules for regulating the gambling industry. However, the situation with online gambling is particularly ambiguous. As seen, attitudes towards local and foreign operators differ significantly in many states.
In the European Union, for instance, the activities of foreign gambling sites fall under EU legislation, to which member states must adhere. However, not all countries agree that foreign operators should not contribute taxes to the local treasury. Against EU requirements, they subject foreign operators to their own regulatory rules, requiring them to obtain local gambling licenses and pay taxes to the local budget. France, Germany, and Italy, for example, follow this approach.
The second reason for this varying treatment of local and foreign operators is that many countries, especially those less technologically developed, lack the necessary resources or tools to prevent foreign companies from operating within their territories.
Countries Requiring Local Online Casinos and Their Apps to Obtain a License
In 14% of the world’s countries, governments require local gambling establishments to obtain a license, while no such requirement applies to foreign companies. These countries include many European nations (Latvia, Portugal, Estonia, Norway), Canada, and Greenland.
A country ensures that licensed casinos are reliable, offer fair games to customers, and genuinely pay out winnings. In case of disputes between establishments and visitors, both parties can seek resolution through legal means. However, foreign online casinos do not benefit from state guarantees; enthusiasts of online gaming operate at their own risk.
Licensing of All Online Casinos
In 14% of countries, all internet casinos must obtain a license regardless of their place of registration. Some states adopting this policy include the United Kingdom, Georgia, Ethiopia, and Scandinavian countries. This stance better protects citizens’ rights and promotes the development of national gambling businesses.
However, licensing all casinos requires resources to filter their information space. The state needs to block foreign companies that lack licenses yet operate legally in other countries. Citizens often utilize various methods to bypass such restrictions, such as proxy servers.
Ban on Local Casinos and Mobile Apps
12% of countries have chosen the simplest method of regulating online gambling. While creating legal internet casinos within their territory is impossible, there are no restrictions for foreign companies. This policy requires minimal implementation costs, yet leads to the disappearance of gambling business tax revenues. Local operators simply move their operations abroad, knowing that customers can still use their services.
Often, such countries impose penalties on visitors of online casinos themselves. They may be fined or even arrested. The aims of states employing such measures are not entirely clear.
Complete Ban on Online Gambling
19% of countries have opted to outright prohibit online gambling. This includes several CIS countries, Asian nations (China, North Korea, Pakistan, Turkey), and many others.
The combined population of these countries exceeds 3 billion people. In most cases, there are no sanctions for players engaging in online casino activities. Moreover, banks in these countries often adopt liberal policies, allowing customers to deposit and withdraw money.
Legislation in such countries typically distinguishes between online gambling and other forms of entertainment, such as lotteries and sports betting. The latter are often legal.
Mobile Application 1win
The bookmaker company 1win apk has been operating in the betting market since 2016. 1win is a multifunctional gaming portal that encompasses a bookmaker, online and live casinos, virtual sports betting, and an online cinema on a single platform. 1win caters to a diverse audience, with the site being translated and adapted. The bookmaker holds a Curacao license № 8048/JAZ2018-040.
The site features about 20 sports types, offering a varied selection of competitions. In the football section, you can find matches not only from top leagues but also tournaments from over 30 countries and major international championships.