Regulatory
iGaming Regulations by Country: The Complete Global Compliance Guide
By Liam O'Brien · Contributor2 min read
Introduction
The online gambling industry is one of the most regulated sectors in the world.
For operators, affiliates, payment providers, and software suppliers, understanding iGaming regulations by country is critical to staying compliant, avoiding fines, and maintaining player trust.
The challenge?
Each country has its own approach - from fully regulated markets like Malta and the UK to complete bans in places like Cambodia or Qatar.
This guide is your single source of truth for the global iGaming regulatory landscape.
- Updated quarterly
- Includes official links to licensing authorities
- Covers licensing costs, tax rates, and game types permitted
- Highlights recent legal changes
Jump to region: Europe | North America | Latin America | Asia-Pacific | Africa
Global iGaming Regulations Table
| Country | Regulatory Authority | License Types | Licensing Cost (USD) | Tax Rate | Legal Status | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malta | Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) | B2C, B2B, Casino, Sports, Poker | $30,000+ | 5% GGR | Legal | Aug 2025 |
| United Kingdom | UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) | Casino, Sports, Bingo, Lottery | $20,000+ | 15% GGR | Legal | Aug 2025 |
| United States | State-by-State (e.g., NJ DGE, Nevada GCB) | Varies by state | $100,000+ | 6-20% GGR | Partial | Aug 2025 |
| Sweden | Spelinspektionen | Casino, Sports, Poker | $45,000 | 18% GGR | Legal | Aug 2025 |
| Curacao | Curacao Gaming Control Board | Master/Sub-license | $20,000 | 0% Corporate Tax | Legal | Aug 2025 |
| Australia | State-by-State | Sports Betting only | $30,000+ | Varies | Partial | Aug 2025 |
| Brazil | Ministry of Finance | Sports Betting | TBD | 18% GGR | Partial | Aug 2025 |
| South Africa | National Gambling Board | Casino, Sports | $25,000+ | 9.6% GGR | Legal | Aug 2025 |
| Japan | National Diet | Sports Betting, Lottery | N/A | Varies | Partial | Aug 2025 |
| China | Ministry of Finance | State Lottery only | N/A | N/A | Banned | Aug 2025 |
Note: This is a sample snapshot. Full table covers 100+ jurisdictions and is available in downloadable format at the bottom of this page.
Europe
Malta
- Regulatory Authority: Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
- Legal Status: Fully regulated (casino, sports, poker, bingo)
- License Types: B2C, B2B, Class 1-4
- Tax: 5% on local GGR
- Application Timeline: ~16 weeks
- Recent Updates: New responsible gambling guidelines (Jan 2025)
- Official Link: http://www.mga.org.mt
United Kingdom
- Regulatory Authority: UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)
- Legal Status: Fully regulated
- License Types: Casino, Sports, Bingo, Lottery
- Tax: 15% GGR
- Application Timeline: ~12 weeks
- Recent Updates: Credit card gambling ban extended to all remote betting (July 2025)
- Official Link: http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk
Sweden
- Regulatory Authority: Spelinspektionen
- Legal Status: Fully regulated
- Tax: 18% GGR
- Recent Updates: Bonus restrictions tightened for new players (June 2025)
- Official Link: http://www.spelinspektionen.se
North America
United States
- Regulatory Model: State-by-state
- Example States:
- New Jersey - Fully regulated casino, sports, poker (NJ DGE)
- Nevada - Sports and poker only (Nevada GCB)
- New York - Sports only
- Recent Updates: More states expected to legalise online casino in 2026.
- **Official Links:**NJ DGE | Nevada GCB
Canada
- Regulatory Authority: Provincial (e.g., iGaming Ontario)
- Legal Status: Partial - regulated in Ontario, grey market elsewhere
- Tax: 20% GGR in Ontario
- Recent Updates: Ontario expanding license cap in 2025
- Official Link: http://www.igamingontario.ca
Latin America
Brazil
- Regulatory Authority: Ministry of Finance
- Legal Status: Sports betting legal; casino pending legislation
- Tax: 18% GGR
- Recent Updates: Full implementation expected Q4 2025
- **Official Link:**gov.br/fazenda
Argentina
- Regulatory Model: Provincial (Buenos Aires, Cordoba, etc.)
- Tax: 15-20% GGR depending on province
- Recent Updates: More provinces launching licensing processes in 2025.
Asia-Pacific
Australia
- Regulatory Model: State-by-state
- Legal Status: Sports betting legal, online casino banned federally
- Tax: Varies (10-15% GGR)
- Recent Updates: Federal discussion on casino legalisation by 2027.
Japan
- Legal Status: Sports betting and lottery legal; casino legalisation pending IR rollout.
- Tax: Varies by prefecture.
Africa
South Africa
- Regulatory Authority: National Gambling Board
- Legal Status: Fully regulated for casino and sports
- Tax: 9.6% GGR
- Recent Updates: New AML compliance requirements (Feb 2025).
Recent Global Regulatory Changes
- UK: Extended credit card gambling ban (July 2025)
- Brazil: Sports betting regulation implemented (Aug 2025)
- Malta: New responsible gambling framework (Jan 2025)
- Sweden: Bonus restrictions tightened (June 2025)
Compliance Resources
- Malta Gaming Authority
- UK Gambling Commission
- Spelinspektionen
- Curacao Gaming Control Board
Conclusion:
Regulation isn’t static - markets open, rules change, and taxes shift.
Bookmark this guide and subscribe to iGaming-Times for quarterly compliance updates so you can stay ahead of the curve.
