The gambling industry, once in the shadow of strict prohibitions, is undergoing a global transformation today. Each year, more and more countries are reconsidering their approach to betting, lotteries, and casinos, opening up new opportunities for the development of this sector, but also facing new challenges. In 2025, the industry continues to evolve, offering players and operators a wide range of legal frameworks. In this article, we will explore which countries have legalized gambling as of 2025 and analyze the key trends shaping this dynamic market.
Europe: Stability, Licensing, Taxes
The legislative structure of European gambling demonstrates maturity. Regulators not only document facts but also implement advanced control measures. The question of which European countries allow gambling requires precise differentiation: some permit offline, while others allow only online.
Central and Northern Europe
European leaders in stable gambling are the United Kingdom, Malta, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Denmark. All these countries employ clear licensing regimes, each through its own regulator. For example, the Gambling Commission (UK), Spelinspektionen (Sweden), Kansspelautoriteit (the Netherlands).
The law provides for:
- Distinction between B2C and B2B operators.
- GGR tax ranging from 15% to 29%.
- Mandatory compliance with responsible gaming.
Southern and Eastern Europe
Spain, Italy, Romania, Czech Republic support a hybrid model. Licenses are issued to operators, while state platforms also operate. For example, in the Czech Republic – Sazka. In Romania – Loteria Romana. Private platforms like eFortuna also operate.
Which Asian Countries Legalize Gambling
The Asian gambling market resembles a mosaic. The question of which Asian countries allow gambling requires consideration of dozens of nuances.
East and Southeast Asia
The most developed is in Macau. The territory operates under Chinese sovereignty but with full autonomy in gambling regulation. GGR here exceeds $30 billion annually. Operators such as Galaxy Entertainment, Sands China, SJM operate here. Singapore demonstrates a compromise model: only two licensed complexes (Marina Bay Sands, Resorts World Sentosa), with one of the strictest systems for blocking illegal sites.
Southern and Central Part
The Philippines use a licensing scheme through PAGCOR. Two types of licenses are in effect: for local and offshore businesses. Games are allowed both offline and digitally. Cambodia provides licenses exclusively for zones catering to tourists. Access is prohibited for citizens. In Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, there is a de facto ban, except for pilot schemes with lotteries and horse racing.
America: From Prohibition to Maximum Liberalization
The USA does not apply a unified federal law. Each state regulates the industry independently. The question of which countries allow gambling, in the case of the USA, becomes segmented. By 2025, online gambling has been fully legalized in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia. Sports betting operates in over 30 states.
Canada uses a regional model. Ontario operates the iGaming Market – a fully open market. Provinces Quebec, British Columbia manage through Crown corporations. Colombia was the first to implement a licensing platform. Currently, dozens of operators with local accreditation operate. Brazil legalized betting in 2024, marking a major reform in recent years. Argentina and Peru launched online markets at the provincial level.
Africa: Growth, but Not Without Risk
The question of which African countries allow gambling requires analysis by specific jurisdictions. Development is significant, but the quality of control varies. Nigeria and Kenya show high activity: large local platforms, mobile gambling growth, app download dynamics. In South Africa, licenses are issued by provincial councils. Both offline and digital segments operate. In other countries, there are legal gaps, weak law enforcement.
Oceania: Australia vs. the Continent
The region is divided into two poles: tightly regulated Australia with a multi-level licensing system and states with extremely low formalization levels of gambling.
Australia – A Two-Faced Market
Australia is one of the most gambling countries in the world in terms of per capita gambling expenditure. Here, the following are allowed:
-
sports betting and horse racing;
-
slot machines (poker machines);
-
bingo and lotteries;
-
poker and casino games in a limited format.
The licensing system consists of two levels: federal and territorial. The main regulator is the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), but licensing rights belong to state and territorial authorities.
Major licensed platforms: Sportsbet, TAB, Ladbrokes Australia, Betfair. All are integrated into the national self-regulation system. The country operates the following restrictions:
-
mandatory self-exclusion feature through the BetStop portal;
-
limits on account top-ups and losses;
-
ban on betting advertisements during sports broadcasts;
-
blocking of all foreign and unlicensed resources.
At the same time, the federal government is implementing a mechanism to monitor all betting transactions, making attempts to circumvent the system practically impossible.
New Zealand – Strict Restriction
In which countries are gambling legal: in New Zealand, there is a monopoly on online gambling. All activities are centralized around state operators. The main platform is TAB NZ (Totalisator Agency Board), through which sports and horse racing bets are provided. Casinos and poker are prohibited in digital form, allowed only in the offline segment.
Foreign platforms are blocked, and advertising activity is limited to a minimum. Financial flows are subject to constant monitoring by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Operators are required to provide reports on each type of transaction, funding source, and customer activity.
Rest of Oceania – Nascent Level
The island states of the region (Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Palau) do not have a centralized gambling regulation system. Legislation is often either absent or limited to general provisions on licensing in the leisure sector. As a result:
-
licenses are either absent or issued formally;
-
there is no control over RTP, win frequency, user protection;
-
international operators use offshore jurisdictions (e.g., Curacao) to operate in the region.
Demand remains low, infrastructure is weak, but the interest of international operators is growing – especially in the context of opening cruise routes and tourist zones, where entertainment gambling can serve as an additional source of income.
Countries Where Gambling is Legal: Conclusions
In which countries are gambling legal: in 2025, the answer is not limited to a black-and-white segment. The world has divided into dozens of models. From absolute legalization to pinpoint zones. From licenses to bans. From state control to privatized markets. For users, the choice of country determines not only the availability of the game but also safety, protection of rights, financial guarantees. It is worth playing where laws work. And laws work where the regulator acts transparently, and the market operates by the rules.
