Global gambling markets: legalized or not?

The gambling industry is highly controversial due to its legislative regulation and legalization at different levels depending on the GEO. 

Some countries allow gambling without strict restrictions, while others do not recognize this type of activity at all.

Webmasters working with the gambling vertical should understand which GEOs are profitable to promote and which ones should be cautious. 

It would seem that legal issues have a direct impact on the gambling market. However, the issue of legality affects the attitude of platforms to your advertising. Moreover, it affects the ability of players to make deposits – in some countries, replenishment in online casinos can even lead to the arrest of users.  

That is why today we are going to consider several interesting gambling markets in the world. Let’s go!

Ukraine

In 2020, Ukraine introduced quite strict regulation of the gambling market. Until recently, these issues were regulated by the Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (CRGL), but it was abolished. Against this background, the legal operation of new gambling projects in the market has become much more complicated

CRAIL imposed requirements on operators regarding software certification. In general, it aimed to fight gambling addiction among a certain part of the population.

Now a new body, PlayCity, has been created to replace the liquidated KRAIL. It is not yet functioning properly. Therefore, it is difficult for new casinos to enter the market legally. And old casinos with expiring licenses also do not know how to extend them

Brazil. 

In 2025, the gambling industry will be particularly tightened. New restrictions are being introduced that prohibit the Rio de Janeiro State Lotteries from issuing licenses to operators to work throughout the country. 

Instead, a federal license is now required, and it is, you know, much more expensive.

Vietnam 

Vietnam has issued a new decree to tighten the rules for online casino operators. It helps to reduce social risk and protect minors who want to make easy money. Now licenses must be issued by local departments. Stricter penalties are imposed on offshore companies.

Zimbabwe. 

Starting from January 2025, sports betting enthusiasts will have to pay a 10% tax on winnings. This move was designed to enrich the state budget. However, it is clear that not all players are completely enthusiastic about such innovations. They consider it unfair and a threat of a massive shift to offshore platforms.   

Italy. 

The Italian authorities are interested in strengthening the legal market and compensating for the decline in tax revenues. That is why they are introducing new licensing. From now on, the license will cost 35 times more than before (from €200 thousand to €7 million).

Cameroon 

Cameroon has decided to raise rates from 0.2% to 1%. This innovation affects any transactions and even transfers to iGaming platforms. They expect that this will support the growing online gambling market.

Canada. 

The situation in Canada is very interesting. There are two levels of gambling market regulation: federal and provincial. 

At the federal level, the law imposes a ban on gambling, but this does not apply to cases when it is regulated by the province.

Therefore, operators need to acquire licenses in each province where they plan to develop their services to ensure safe operation.

For example, Ontario openly cooperates with international operators. However, there are still plenty of gray casinos on the market. 

Still, access to these projects is not limited despite all licensing rules. Currently, Curacao is the most common gray license. 

Colombia 

In Colombia, the tax situation remains unchanged – 17% tax on GGR. Although the President proposed the option of raising taxes on iGaming operators, the Congress did not approve this proposal

Lithuania. 

Lithuania has decided to take the issue of player protection and increase the transparency of the gambling market more seriously. On May 1, 2025, the country started blocking payments to unlicensed online casino operators. This means that financial institutions will be prohibited from conducting such transactions. 

Only licensed operators will be able to remain on the white list. In case of violation of this rule, payment service providers will have to pay a fine of up to €3.8 thousand.

Malaysia. 

Malaysia is also tightening control over illegal gambling. Violations can be punished with fines or even imprisonment. It is rumored that the local authorities intend to monitor the activity of players on social networks and various messengers. 

Morocco 

Starting from 2025, the country introduced a 30% tax on winnings from offshore platforms. This is done in order to bring national legislation closer to the international one.

Netherlands 

Due to the increase in GGR taxes, numerous restrictions, and a ban on advertising, LiveScore Bet and Tombola.nl operators refused to obtain licenses in the Netherlands. 

However, unlicensed companies do not waste time and maintain their dominance in the market.

New Zealand 

In New Zealand, national companies cannot launch their own online casinos. That is why many choose to work through Curaçao licenses.

Besides, players can freely place bets in international casinos. However, advertising of foreign operators is still prohibited here.

Paraguay 

Paraguay has adopted a bill to liberalize the iGaming market.

The monopoly of state-owned operators was abolished, and licenses will be available to private companies.

The body that will control the gambling market will be under the jurisdiction of the National Directorate of Tax Revenue (DNIT).

Peru. 

Starting from January 2025, the cost of licenses has been tripled, and gambling transactions are now subject to an additional 1% excise tax. 

Singapore 

Starting from January 2025, the country introduced stricter control over illegal online casino operators. Now, the police will block websites of illegal activities. 

In 2024, Singapore blocked more than 3,800 illegal websites and 145 thousand illegal transactions. 

USA. 

The Model Internet Gaming Act is currently under discussion. It provides for the creation of unified rules for the online gambling industry in all states. 

• Tax from 15% to 25%.
• Prohibition of credit card use when making a deposit.
• Restrictions on advertising

Thailand. 

Thailand decided to bring shadow operations into the legal state economy. Therefore, in January 2025, gambling for tourists was legalized. Moreover, a draft law that would legalize online gambling is being developed.

Uzbekistan. 

The country has recently started legalizing iGaming. The license can cost about $14.6 thousand + operators will have to pay 1% of all bets.

Nevertheless, no one has canceled the enhanced control. So, they will demand it:

• Server localization
• Software certification
• Registration in national domains

Finland. 

In Finland, the gambling market is still controlled by the state monopoly Veikkaus. Although international operators are formally prohibited from working in the country, Finns are free to play on foreign websites. The domains of such operators are not blocked, but many prefer to keep backup mirrors in case of future changes. At the beginning of 2025, Finland is actively discussing a reform that could end the Veikkaus monopoly and open the market to international companies. However, the exact timing has not yet been determined: options from the end of 2025 to 2027 are being considered. 

France.

In France, only online sports and poker betting are legal. Since the resignation of the prime minister is possible, the introduction of new taxes on iGaming is not yet considered.

Sweden. 

In order to improve the fight against illegal online casino operators, Spelinspektionen provided additional funding of $8.8 million.

They intend to eliminate the shadow market by strengthening control over illegal operators and introducing monitoring measures.

To summarize.

Now we have a better understanding of the legislative regulation of the gambling market in different countries. As you can see, some situations are very similar to each other, while others have a fundamental difference. Some countries support different types of online gambling, while others can land you in jail. 

If you are going to drive traffic to gambling, you should first understand the level of its legalization in the gambling territories you will work with.