There are lots of countries where you can legally bet online. The good thing is that the list of legal countries is extensive, which means you have lots of options when it comes to selecting the location of your next sports bet. In this article, we will discuss which country is legal for online gambling. We will cover offshore betting locations as well and give you some great opportunities to bet on sporting events online!
United Kingdom
The UK has definitely established itself as a Mecca for sports fans. With an abundance of football, rugby, and cricket matches held every week, there are plenty of opportunities to engage in some high-quality sports betting. The UK legalized gambling back in the 1950s and it has been widely available for over 60 years. The UK government allows residents to legally gamble online from home, using licensed bookmakers. If you are looking for a place to legally bet online, then the UK is undoubtedly one of the best options out there.
Australia
Australia is well known for its wonderful beach side and stunning natural beauty, but they also have some pretty serious gaming issues. Although sports betting is completely legalized in Australia, the nation’s residents are banned from gambling online. The only exception to this rule is if you are physically located in Australia, in which case you are legally allowed to gamble online from your home computer. In practice, this means that Australian residents can enjoy all the perks of online gambling, including accessing a wide range of markets and making mobile wagers, but they cannot actually participate. In light of this, it is perhaps not surprising that Australia is one of the least preferred gambling destinations for international users. Still, if you are located there, you can’t go wrong!
New Zealand
The only difference between New Zealand and Australia is that while in Australia the emphasis is on keeping residents away from gambling, in New Zealand it is on ensuring that everyone has access to as much gambling as possible. This is most definitely exemplified by the fact that residents of New Zealand are allowed to gamble online, with the proviso that the country’s major bookmakers must be licensed to operate within state lines. This is obviously to prevent illegal gambling, which is heavily policed and regulated in New Zealand. Despite this, it is still possible to find illegal betting sites catering for New Zealanders seeking to place a wager while abroad. The good thing is that these sorts of sites are easily identifiable and most probably using offshore locations, which makes them illegal in almost every country. Still, if you are looking for a place to legally gamble online, then New Zealand is one of the best options out there. Just remember to stay vigilant!
Canada
Thanks to some of the greatest legal minds in the world, Canadians now have the opportunity to legally bet online. As part of its Sports Betting Regulations, the Canadian government passed three separate regulations that allow for online wagering. Two of the regulations were designed to tackle the issue of online gambling in U.S. states, where it was previously illegal, and the other addressed the situation in other countries, where gambling is legal but regulated. Due to the novel approach that the Canadian government took, other countries have reciprocated and now allow for online betting in Canada. As a result, Canada is now one of the most popular locations for online betting, alongside the U.K. and Australia. The obvious downside to betting in Canada is that since it is such a popular location, it isn’t really ‘clean’ gambling. You never know who you are gamblinging against and it can be difficult to verify their age. Still, if you are looking for a place to legally bet online, then Canada is one of the best options out there.
South Africa
Last but not least, we have South Africa. This is one country where you can find every kind of gambling activity you can think of. Online gambling is completely legal in South Africa, which means you will find numerous opportunities to place a wager. The only downside is that since it is such a popular destination, it isn’t really ‘clean’ gambling. The good thing is that you will find all sorts of bookmakers to choose from, operating in a legal manner. If you are located in South Africa and looking to place a wager, there are numerous options available to you, apart from the obvious choice of visiting a land-based casino. You will just have to search for the best site that meets your needs.
In general, if you want to gamble online, then any of the above-mentioned locations would be a great choice. It is also important to note that if you are looking for an offshore betting location, then the U.S. would be a bad choice, as several states have actually banned online gambling. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions, online betting will most probably remain illegal in most states. However, the good thing is that the world of online betting is expanding and new sites and platforms emerge every day, making it easier than ever to place a wager whenever you want.