The online sports betting industry globally is expected to exceed $133 billion by 2029 and it continues to experience growth each year. Despite this incredible popularity, the legal landscape of online sports betting around the world is still an area of contention.
This is because online sports betting is not universally accepted. Different countries have their own approach to sports betting and differing laws. In many countries, online sports betting is still illegal, while in others, it is tightly regulated and there might only be a handful of approved sites.
Here’s an overview of the status of sports betting around the globe today.
Where online sports betting is legal
Online sports betting varies greatly in terms of popularity and availability across the continents. Below you can see a breakdown of the more prominent countries and regions where this activity is legal in some form:
- UK: Legal country-wide and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission.
- Ireland: All types of online gambling are legal here including bingo, lotteries, casinos, poker, and sports betting.
- Australia: Sports betting is available across all Australian territories, but sportsbooks cannot feature in-play betting.
- New Zealand: Sports betting is only legally permitted via the TAB organization which is controlled by the New Zealand government.
- Canada: Sports betting is legal in every province except Quebec and the legal gambling age varies from 18 to 19 depending on the state.
- South Africa: The National Gambling Board (NGB) is responsible for gambling legislation and licenses for sportsbooks in South Africa.
- Japan: Legal sportsbooks operating within Japan can only offer markets on horse racing and motorboat racing. Citizens can also legally access sportsbooks operating outside of Japan.
- Singapore: Singapore only has a select range of state-approved gambling operations such as the Singapore Pools.
- The Philippines: Gambling and sports betting in The Philippines is controlled by PAGCOR which is an organization operated by the government.
- Europe: Sports betting generally has great legislation and wide availability in most European countries including Sweden, Denmark, France, Ireland, and the UK.
- Mexico: Online gambling is regulated by the Ministry of the Interior and controlled by federal law. Sports betting and online casinos are legal.
Generally, sports betting has the best support in Europe. Around the globe, plenty of countries are progressive towards this activity and take the approach that it’s fine when properly regulated.
In South America, legislation and availability are also improving, and the same can be said for Asia. North America – as you will see below – is a different affair, with legislation being determined at a state level.
Online sports betting in the US
The US needs a dedicated section as online sports betting legality is regulated on a state-by-state basis. Each state government decides the laws relating to sportsbooks, online casinos, and sweepstakes casinos.
Sites like PromoGuy have a wealth of information relating to betting in the US, plus info on sportsbooks, bonuses, and reviews. Here’s a look at the legality of sports betting in the US at the state level:
Legal States: Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Florida, Ohio, West Virginia, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York, Delaware.
No legislation: Minnesota, Idaho, California, Alaska, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas.
Currently, sports betting is legal in 38+ US states. The licensing and legislation are typically controlled by state-level organizations. For example, in West Virginia, the West Virginia Lottery Commission controls sports betting and online casino activity.
If you want to place a bet on games like the Miami Heat vs the Portland Trail Blazers or follow the NFL playoff action, it’s important to also remember that even if sports betting isn’t legal, many states still allow Daily Fantasy Sports. There are also social sportsbooks that allow you to make social picks using free virtual currencies. Similar to Daily Fantasy Sports, many states that ban traditional sports betting still allow social sportsbooks.
Understand sports betting legality to avoid issues
You should now have a clearer idea of the online sports betting legal landscape and where online sportsbooks can be accessed. Generally, Europe has fantastic legislation for these sites, while in the US, your level of access will depend on where you live.
Even if you live in a country or state where online sports betting is legal, it’s vital that you check that the sportsbook you want to use has a valid gambling license – if one is required – and can legally accept customers from your location.
Just because Missouri allows legal sports betting, for example, it doesn’t automatically mean that every US sportsbook has a gambling license for that state. Licensing information and availability can usually be found on the sportsbook’s website.
