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

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.