Countries can be judged by looking at their laws, policies, and more importantly, how they treat their citizens. When it comes to gambling, some countries are very open-minded and welcome all sorts of games, offers, and venues, while others are quite restrictive when it comes to betting and the like. Sometimes it’s not even about legality: some places are just more welcoming to outsiders and foreign exchange. Let’s take a look at which countries allow which types of gambling. Here’s the list.
The List Of The Most Popular Gambling Countries
It’s important to note that this list isn’t entirely reliable due to the lack of an official source, but it does give us a good idea of which countries people around the world visit the most when betting on sports and other games. It seems that international sports betting is growing rapidly, and so are the countries that allow it. The top 10 most visited countries for sports betting are:
United States
The United States might not seem like a natural fit on this list, but it’s the biggest economy in the world and also the home of some of the most famous sports personalities. The landscape is also incredibly open when it comes to gambling, with a large selection of legal betting options, from sports to politics. It seems that Americans are especially drawn to online sportsbooks, as the country leads all others in the number of active online players.
U.K.
The U.K. loves a bit of betting on sports, with over 40% of the population registering to bet, and the country being one of the most open when it comes to casino games and lotteries. It allows for some amazing opportunities for U.S. sports fans who want to wager on their favorite NBA team. Not only that, but the country also leads the way in esports betting, with many large bookmakers operating out of London, hosting tournaments and offering great odds for fans and gamers.
Canada
Canadians aren’t just famous for their great hockey team and their beautiful women, the country also leads the way in sports betting. Over 80% of the population are registered to bet, and many Canadian bookies offer unique promotions, such as matched bets and sign-up bonuses, to attract new and existing members. If you visit the country, you’ll notice a lot of people playing sports betting games on a regular basis.
Australia
Like the U.K., Australia is another country that loves to gamble. It’s a land of incredible scenery, with some of the world’s most famous beaches, and of course, the lucky punters who visit the place really enjoy their holiday. Australia is famous for its wildlife, with plenty of kangaroos, koalas, and other adorable animals to spot, and its beaches are famous for their surfing and their beautiful, warm waters. Australia is home to a number of high-profile tournaments and leagues, such as the AFL, NRL, and the Ashes, and it attracts a lot of sports fans, especially European ones. What’s great about Australia is that it allows for a lot of variety when it comes to sports betting. You can bet on almost any sport or game, 24 hours a day, and there are a number of different bookmakers to choose from, with Australian betting sites such as Betfair, William Hill, and CrownBet being some of the most popular ones. The list of popular gambling countries clearly demonstrates that people around the world love to gamble, with the United States, Canada, and the U.K. being the clear leaders in this area.
France
France is a country that’s well-known for its exquisite cuisine and its gorgeous wines. What isn’t so well-known is that France is one of the most open-minded countries when it comes to sports betting. It was the first country to establish a legal framework for sports betting, in 1870, and it’s one of the rare countries where you can find a casino or a bookmaker open 24 hours a day. It is also one of the few countries that allow for horse-racing, poker, and car racing, all of which you can find open to the public.
Spain
Like France, Spain is a country that’s well-known for its cuisine and its beautiful weather. What isn’t so well-known is that Spain is one of the most open-minded countries when it comes to sports betting. It was the first country to legalize gambling, in 1989, and it has one of the most advanced electronic gambling industries in the world. It allows for all forms of betting, including online and mobile, and it also offers a wide variety of sports, including American football, basketball, baseball, ice hockey, and more. What’s great about Spain is that it allows for some truly unique options when it comes to sports betting. You’ll find oddities, such as rock-paper-scissors matches and snake and ladders, as well as more traditional sports, all available for bettors to choose from. There are also a number of Spanish bookmakers that offer great deals to new customers and loyalty program benefits, such as free bets and cash back.
Italy
Italy is a country that loves to indulge in luxury. It is a land of incredible art, wonderful food, and of course, the incredible soccer team, the Azzurri, or the “Woolies” as they’re more commonly known. Just as in the case of other countries, Italy is extremely open when it comes to sports betting. It was the first country to legalize gambling, in 1899, and since then, it has allowed for all forms of betting, including online and mobile. It is also home to some incredible, world-class stadiums and arenas, the Pala Stadio in Milan being one of the most famous. What’s great about Italy is that it offers a lot of variety when it comes to sports betting. You’ll find everything from traditional football and cricket to eSports and snowboarding. There are also a number of bookmakers and online casinos who operate out of Italy, including 888, Bet365, and Skybet, where you can find all the usual staples, such as horse racing, tennis, and football, as well as some truly unique sports, like snooker and skydiving.
Germany
It wasn’t that long ago when Germany was divided into many smaller states, with its capital, Berlin, being under the rule of other countries. Since then, Germany has morphed into one of the biggest economy’s in the world, and it has a population of over 80 million people, making it one of the most populated countries on this list. Germany is well-known for being a country of soccer fans, with the national team, the Germany soccer, commonly referred to as Die Nationalmannschaft, or D.N.S., regularly competing for major international trophies and tournaments. What’s great about Germany is that it allows for all forms of gambling, including online and mobile. It was one of the first countries to fully embrace digital money and crypto-conversion, with over 50% of licensed gambling sites accepting cryptocurrency. This popularity may be why you often see German athletes, such as Boris Becker and Michael Schumacher, flocking to sportbooks and casinos to place their wagers. German bookmaker, 888, is a prime example of a company that offers incredible value and great customer support, with its ‘Every Game, Every Score, All The Time’ loyalty program enabling international sports fans to place wagers on upcoming games, regardless of where they are located. Bookmakers and casinos in Germany offer some incredible value and unique options when it comes to sports betting, with fans travelling from all over the world to place their bets on games they’re really excited about. It’s clear that Germans have an affinity for gambling, with over 80% of the population registering to bet online or via mobile. This is one country that definitely has one of the more interesting gambling industries in the world.
Ireland
The Republic of Ireland, commonly referred to as just Ireland, is yet another country that offers some truly unique options when it comes to sports betting. It was the first country to establish a legal framework for sports betting, in 1950, and it has one of the most advanced electronic gambling industries in the world, with over 500 million gaming machines in use. Ireland is also home to a large number of e-gaming companies, with many large bookmakers, such as Paddy Power and William Hill, operating from Dublin.