What makes esports betting illegal? If you’re looking to place a wager on the outcome of an esports game, the first thing you should be asking is, “Does my country allow esports betting?” Some countries, including Australia and France, actually have legal restrictions against betting on sports in general. The laws vary from state to state, so it’s important to check with the government or your country’s national sports league when trying to place a wager on the outcome of an esports game.
However, if you’re living in a country that does allow for esports betting or in an area that doesn’t have sports betting restrictions, it’s time to celebrate! The world of esports is now open to you, and you can take advantage of it completely legally. Keep reading to find out how.
Australia’s Betting on Sports Prohibition
Australia’s sports betting prohibition was first introduced in the 1950s, and it has since then remained in place. The government agency responsible for enforcing the law is the Australian Game Board (AGP), and it monitors and regulates all sporting events that occur within the country. The AGP, alongside the government, also looks after the interests of recreational game players and social gamblers who wish to have fun but aren’t involved in the gambling industry. The agency also enforces laws governing sports betting outside of Australia.
Given Australia’s long history with gambling, it’s not really surprising that the government agency looks after the interests of both recreational and professional gamblers. However, even non-professional recreational gamblers can find themselves at risk of being punished if they are involved in illegal activities pertaining to sports betting. The punishment for a first-time offender can include fines of up to AUSTARGA $100,000 or imprisonment for up to three years. For those who are found guilty of an offense more than once, the penalties become increasingly harsher.
Betting on Other Sports
While Australia has a longstanding ban on betting on sports, it doesn’t apply to other sports. It is, in fact, perfectly legal to bet on other forms of entertainment, including esports. The government regulates and monitors all forms of gaming and esports in Australia, but it doesn’t get involved in the nitty-gritty of wagering. It focuses on keeping a watchful eye on the larger picture and taking action if necessary.
Legalizing Esports Gambling
There are four states in Australia where betting on esports is completely legal: New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and the Northern Territory. The regulations surrounding esports betting in these states need to be followed closely, as there are a few exceptions that might not be known to the general public. For example, you can’t lay bets on the national teams of Australia or on individual games that are hosted outside of Australia. You also can’t bet on the outcomes of sporting events that are being broadcast live. However, you can place bets on replays that are stored on electronic devices. It’s also important to note that while all states in Australia allow for wagering on esports, not all states allow for all forms of betting.
France’s Betting on Sports Restrictions
France, like Australia, has a long history with gambling, and its laws governing sports betting were originally introduced in the 1950s. Like in Australia, France also doesn’t allow for any form of wagering on sports. However, it does allow for certain forms of bets to be placed on certain entertainment events, including esports.
What About International Betting?
Some countries, like the United Kingdom, actually take a dim view of gambling and try to keep it as far away from society as possible. While English law doesn’t prohibit gambling in any way, it does try to maintain a low profile regarding the subject. That being said, it is still legal to bet on sports in the UK, and the country’s national sports leagues are widely accepted for their integrity and fairness. You just have to know where to look.
Where Can I Place My Wager?
It’s important to note that you need to be physically located in a country where esports betting is legal to place your wager on the game. If you live in Germany, it’s perfectly legal for you to bet on the latest LoL tournament. However, if you’re in Portugal and you want to place a bet on the upcoming FIFA tournament, you’re out of luck. The Portuguese government technically allows for esports betting, but the agency that regulates and enforces all gaming laws in Portugal, InterGames, doesn’t really promote or facilitate it. You can only bet on Portuguese games if you’re physically located in another country.
Unlike some other countries, Ireland doesn’t have a total ban on sports betting. However, it does have strict restrictions regarding where you can place your bet. You can only bet on horse racing, greyhound racing, and certain football (soccer) games at licensed bookmakers. It is also important to note that while most bookmakers can accept bets from anywhere in the world, the odds usually vary from nation to nation. For instance, you might struggle to find an Irish bookmaker that will take your wager on the outcome of the Germany vs. Portugal match.
Other countries, like South Africa and New Zealand, actually don’t have any restrictions regarding where you can place your wager. This is because the national sports leagues in those countries are either run or partially owned by the government. In most cases, it is also considered to be good for the economy as well. For example, in 2018, bets on the Zimbabwean cricket team reached £100,000 in one day. This is how the government of Zimbabwe earns a significant amount of revenue.
How Do I Place A Wager?
There are several ways to place a wager on an esports game. You can do it online via an online bookmaker. Some of the more established online bookmakers that cover esports include Sportingbet and Paddy Power. You can also place a bet on the outcome of an esports game via an app. There are several options out there that you can try, such as DraftKings and Fuego. You can also place a wager on the outcome of an esports game if you’re physically at a sportsbook. However, if you want to place a bet on the game via a bookmaker, online or app, it’s better to use offshore bookmakers or offshore online sportsbooks. This is because if you use an onshore bookmaker or onshore online sportsbook, your personal information could be potentially hacked. If this happens, you could lose a lot of money. If you use an offshore bookmaker or offshore online sportsbook, this is less likely to happen.
Most countries have some sort of ban on placing bets on certain sporting events and activities, including esports. If you’re looking to place a wager on the results of an esports game, it’s important to check with the governing body or sports league in your country first. However, if you’re in New South Wales, Victoria, or the Northern Territory (Australia), you can place a wager on pretty much anything that occurs within those three states. They don’t have any sort of prohibition against it. This is mainly because those territories previously relied on attracting mining and oil fields for their livelihoods. As the industry has declined, so has the government’s revenue, and it has started to legalize and decriminalize various aspects of gaming. This includes esports, which the public has now embraced.