Gambling regulation is complex. It is shaped by federal laws, state-by-state decisions, and diverse international systems. In the US, the historical legal framework and modern regulations and rulings (like the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) have resulted in a fragmented online gambling system.
Countries differ in how they regulate gambling, both at physical casinos and online. Some have tight restrictions, while others have adopted regulations with customer protections at the forefront. There are gaming giants like the UK, restrictive regimes in Asia, and the states’ decisions in the US.
How Gambling Is Regulated In The US
Gambling legality depends on state law. There is no federal gambling law in the US; however, federal legislation sets the boundaries for state regulation:
- The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006: It restricts financial institutions from processing payments for illegal online betting.
- The Federal Wire Act of 1961: This was initially targeted at interstate sports betting, and its application to other forms of online gambling continues to be debated in legal interpretations.
- The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) of 1988: It governs gambling on Native American reservations through tribal regulations.
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was repealed in 2018, allowing states to legalise sports betting. As of early 2025, sports betting has been legalised in 38 states, Washington DC and Puerto Rico. Thirty-two of these offer online betting.
Online casinos are restricted in most states; however, a handful have launched regulations, including New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
This regime is fragmented, forcing operators to navigate different laws depending on the state.
Gambling Laws In Other Countries
Countries have taken different approaches to gambling regulations. Some nations have embraced it, while others strictly regulate either online gambling only or all types of casinos.
Canada
Canada has taken a similar approach to gambling laws as the US. Provinces can introduce their own regulations since the 1960s, with Ontario taking the lead and launching regulated online gambling in 2022.
Gambling is legal if it is regulated by one of the ten provinces, three territories, or First Nation authorities. There is no federal law or licensing system for casino operators.
Asian Countries
Asia has a varied regulatory situation. For example, Malaysia has only one land-based casino; however, online casinos are very popular for MY players because of the game variety and ease of access. The Philippines also allows regulated online casinos.
In contrast, India is more complex, and laws vary by state. Some regions allow casino licensing, others are unregulated, while the rest prohibit all types of gambling. Singapore has two licensed casino resorts, Macau in China is a gambling mecca, while gambling is prohibited in Thailand.
The UK
The United Kingdom has a comprehensive gambling regulatory framework. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) was established by the Gambling Act and oversees land-based and online casinos and sports betting.
Operators need to meet licensing requirements and comply with anti-money laundering (AML) measures, affordability checks, and offer responsible gambling tools like self-exclusion and deposit limits.
The Single Consumer View (SCV) was introduced by the UKGC early in 2025. This requires operators to look for indicators of harm so that problem behaviours can be spotted.
Australia
The Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) of 2001 makes it illegal for domestic operators to offer online casino games; however, players who access these games are not criminalised. Many Australians turn to offshore casinos to meet their needs.
Latin America
Latin America is seeing a move towards gambling regulation:
- Columbia was the first to have a regulated market, overseen by Coljuegos.
- Brazil has a federal framework for sports betting and launched online and land-based markets in January 2025.
- Mexico require operators to acquire state or provincial approval.
- Sports betting and online gambling are legal throughout most of Argentina, except in Buenos Aires.
The European Union
Europe has a fragmented regulatory development, with big differences between countries.
There is no EU gambling regulation, and each member state must set its own gambling laws.
Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden have licensing requirements, but gambling is legal. Spain has a national law that regulates online and land-based gambling. Malta is one of the friendliest countries for online casino operators, in part due to its regulatory body, the Malta Gaming Authority.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how the US regulates gambling compared to the rest of the world is complex, since each country has taken a unique approach. Many nations continue to restrict gambling operators, although there are emerging markets in Asia, South America, and Africa.