iGaming is any type of online gambling, which includes different activities like slots, lotteries, poker, sports betting, and online casinos. The regulations centred around iGaming vary around the world, with each country or state adhering to its own rules and regulations.
Let us look at the iGaming regulations in different regions around the world:
1. Europe
Europe has some of the strictest gambling regulations in the world. Although the EU guides the member states on gambling regulations, each country enforces its own gambling laws and regulations, which centre around responsible gambling, taxation, and licensing, among others. The regulations help maintain fair play in the industry, with the interests of gamers being the largest influence.
Let us look at some of the countries considered to be iGaming centres in the EU:
United Kingdom
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is the regulating body responsible for all types of gambling in the UK. The Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014 introduced more severe rules, which include a directive for all gambling sites licensed by the UKGC to be a part of the GamStop program. The program allows players to register themselves to be excluded from all or selected online gambling activities for a certain period of time.
Although self-exclusion is a way for players to self-help themselves, they cannot cancel the registration before the selected period, which can be from six months to five years. However, for players who are back in control of their gambling habits, alternative sites based elsewhere are often available to UK players. Matty Treuberg of Techopedia says with these sites, you don’t have wait for the self-exclusion time frame to pass and you can also benefit from the best deals in the business.
Malta
A report that was compiled by the Malta Gambling Authority (MGA) states that more than 50% of the country’s population are active gamblers, which led the country to constantly update its legal structure surrounding gambling. Malta is a popular place for online casinos to be registered. The Malta Gaming Act of 2018, which covers any form of gaming activity, states that any company that wishes to legally operate in gambling activities in Malta should have a license. MGA licenses are valid for ten years and are subject to renewal only if the operator continues to be regulation-compliant.
Gibraltar
The Gibraltar’s Gambling Act 2005 set the Minister responsible for gambling as the gaming license issuing authority, while the Gambling Commissioner oversees the regulatory procedures after the issuance of licenses. The Gambling Commissioner also acts as an adviser to the Licensing Authority. Under the Gambling Act 2005, all gambling operations in Gibraltar require a license.
2. United States
The iGaming regulations in the United States vary from state to state. Online gambling is legal in some states, which include New Jersey, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, while it is forbidden in others, like Florida and California. The federal government regulates certain aspects of gambling through different acts, which include the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006 and the Federal Wire Act of 1961, among others. Some of these acts have been revised over the years and now include or exclude certain features. Let us look at some of the different state regulations below:
New Jersey
There are different licenses issued for different gaming activities, meaning that if a casino is to offer casino gaming, sports betting, poker, daily fantasy sports, and online lottery, then it should have a specific license for each activity. Online casinos in New Jersey are regulated by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and the New Jersey Casino Control Commission.
Pennsylvania
Online casinos were legalized in Pennsylvania in 2017, making it the fourth state to join the bandwagon. Online gambling in Pennsylvania requires a gamer to be physically located within the state and be at least 21 years of age. For an online gambling site to be considered legally licensed in the state, it must be approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, which is the regulating body for all gambling activities in the state.
3. Asia
The gambling regulations in Asia as a whole are very strict, with most countries like China and South Korea completely banning gambling or imposing very strict regulations. Other countries, like the Philippines and Cambodia, have put in place iGaming regulatory structures.
China
The Chinese state has adopted an anti-gambling stance and has therefore imposed very strict gambling regulations on operators and their residents. With all this strictness, you would think that the Chinese iGaming market is not lucrative, but according to an iGaming report by Jumio, the Chinese iGaming market size is expected to reach US$15.7 billion by 2028.
Philippines
The iGaming regulations in the Philippines are fairly accommodating, and the industry is very lucrative. Gaming activities in the Philippines are regulated by PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation).
4. Africa
Africa’s iGaming market value is growing and is predicted to reach US$1.85 billion in 2024. Different approaches have been adopted by various countries, with some countries imposing heavy regulations while others do not have clear regulations.
South Africa
iGaming is legal and regulated in South Africa, although the regulatory environment is complicated. Gambling is regulated by the National Gambling Act of 2004.
5. Oceania
The growth of the Oceania iGaming market is driven by Australia and New Zealand, with sports betting providing the lion’s share of the revenue.
Australia
Local gaming operators in Australia are restricted by the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 from running online casino games. However, offshore operators have the green light to provide these games to natives.
New Zealand
Just like in Australia, iGaming is restricted in New Zealand and can only be offered by offshore operators.
