Sports Betting Countries

by admin

With every state in the U.S. now eligible to offer sports betting, we take a look around the world at countries where gambling is legal (and also where it is not) to find out what impact it has had culturally and economically.

Argentina

Most countries have laws and licensing requirements that apply to online sports betting websites and the protocols that they must follow to operate legally. In the descriptions that we provide about the different betting sites by country, we examine the laws of each and every jurisdiction. The only thing missing from the Macau casino mix, is the fancy sports betting lounges that make sports betting so much fun. The reason for this is that sports betting in Macau is monopolized by one sportsbook. You can place your wager on soccer or basketball at just 10 outlets, called Macau Slot, around Macau City.

Is gambling legal? Yes, but only for horse racing.

Year legal gambling was established: Gambling on horses began as far back as the 1880's. Argentina banned betting on soccer results in 2018. It had previously been a lottery system run by the government, which was established in 1971, banned in 1998 and established again in 2000.

Which sports are eligible? With soccer banned, it is only horse racing.

Betting parlors or online? The country is working on an online betting system that could be approved after this summer's World Cup. For horse racing, it is legal only at the track or in designated betting agencies, no online gambling is allowed.

Betting ads permitted on team kits/stadiums? No.

How much money is gambled each year? Figures not attainable.

What positive effects have resulted from sports gambling in Argentina? The revenue from the old lottery system was distributed 45 percent in prizes, 25 percent for regional leagues, 16.5 percent marketing and 13.5 percent for AFA and the Ministry of Sports.

Australia

Is gambling legal? Yes.

Year legal gambling was established: On-track race betting was made legal in 1810, with overall sports betting following in 1980.

Which sports are eligible? There are very few sports you can't bet on in Australia. Most professional events are fair game.

Betting parlors or online? Both.

Betting ads permitted on team kits/stadiums? Yes.

Any restrictions? The main restrictions in Australia come in terms of in-game advertising on television and radio during certain times so as to protect children from a flood of gambling promotion. The timings and what is allowed varies from half-an-hour before a sporting event begins right through to the final five minutes before commencement. A code of practice has been introduced by the government.

How much money is gambled each year? According to Roy Morgan research, sports betting accounted for roughly 25 percent of the money Australians gambled in 2017. Of that, more than half is wagered on the major codes in rugby league and Aussie rules football.

Statistics from the 2015-16 financial year showed sports betting expenditure in Australia increased from AUS$815 million ($609m) to AUS$921m ($690m).

What issues have resulted from sports gambling in Australia? There have been several incidents in Australian sport where the proliferation of gambling, and the problems it can create, has been brought into question. The National Rugby League (NRL) has had two high-profile incidents in recent times. Former Canterbury-Bankstown player Ryan Tandy was found guilty of match fixing in 2010 and banned for life. Tandy was found dead in 2014 after an apparent drug overdose. Last year, Wests Tigers player Tim Simona was banned for life from the NRL after he was found to have placed bets against his own team on multiple occasions.

In Aussie rules, former Collingwood players Nick Maxwell and Heath Shaw were fined and suspended back in 2011 after an investigation discovered they had shared inside information with friends and family.

Tennis has also been affected with Australian Nick Lindahl banned for seven years and fined AUS$47,580 ($35,597) for match fixing.

What positive effects have resulted from sports gambling in Australia?

Sports betting has opened up a relatively new revenue stream for government taxation but the debate continues as to whether the cost of gambling is too great on the wider community. Much of that has to do with a belief that children are far too exposed to gambling advertising, so much so that kids now consider gambling an inherit part of the sporting contest itself.

Brazil

Is gambling legal? No.

Year it was established: Gambling has been banned in Brazil since 1946.

Betting parlors or online? There is no online betting in the country, but it is possible to make online bets through foreign sites.

Betting ads permitted on team kits/stadiums? Yes, but since there are no local betting companies, it is unusual.

How much money is gambled each year? Estimates suggest Brazilians spend around four billion Reais ($1bn) a year in foreign online betting.

What issues have resulted from sports gambling in Brazil? There has been suspicion of match fixing in third-division matches.

Ghana

Is gambling legal? Yes.

Year legal gambling was established: 1960.

Which sports are eligible? All sports.

Betting

Betting parlors or online? Both.

Betting ads permitted on team kits/stadiums? Yes.

Sports Betting Countries

What issues have resulted from sports gambling in Ghana? Addiction among young people and a sense that it targets the most vulnerable and poor in society. Most parlors are situated in the poorest neighbourhoods.

What positive effects have resulted from sports gambling in Ghana? Employment plus a steady source of income for cash-strapped local football clubs through sponsorship. There has also been a significant boost to advertising in media with major sports shows on TV sponsored by betting companies.

India

Is gambling legal? It depends what state you are in. Forms of gambling are selectively allowed through horse racing, lotteries and casino gambling. Each state in the country has separate legislations on gambling. In some states, gambling is an offence and in others lotteries are banned.

Year legal gambling was established: There is an 1867 British law called the Public Gambling Act which had stated, 'nothing in this Act shall apply to games of mere skill wherever played' and it is from there that amendments and variations around the law operate. In 1998, the Central Lotteries (Regulation) Act allowed state governments to conduct lotteries, to a maximum of one draw a week and the states then made their own laws around their specific lotteries. Thirteen of 29 Indian states have legalized lotteries.

Which sports are eligible? Horse racing (there are nine courses in India formally run by the turf authorities), lotteries and casinos (but selectively allowed only in a handful of states and union territories -- Sikkim, Goa and the union territory of Daman & Diu).

Betting parlors or online? Betting parlors are illegal, while online gambling is unregulated -- only one state, Sikkim, has a regulatory law on online gambling. India's illegal betting market is vast. A poker league has just concluded its second season in Goa.

Betting ads permitted on team kits/stadiums? No.

Any restrictions? The only legal betting allowed as mentioned earlier is in horse racing, lotteries and casinos. There is a large underground betting market that is in operation, the biggest being on cricket matches.

How much money is gambled each year? According to an estimate by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce cited in various sources, the Indian betting market is said to be worth $60 billion, with cricket betting accounting for 80 percent.

What issues have resulted from sports gambling in India? Underground betting in cricket has led to two very big scandals -- in 2000, involving South African cricket captain Hansie Cronje, and in 2013, when three players in cricket's IPL were arrested. The players were subsequently banned, but there has been a further spin-off from this, which still continues. The Supreme Court set up a committee to investigate the BCCI's administration and its structures, with a complete revamp being the conclusion and one which is still being contested.

What positive effects have resulted from sports gambling in India? Very few obvious positive effects.

Mexico

Is gambling legal? Yes.

Year legal gambling was established: 2004.

Which sports are eligible? All.

Betting parlors or online? Both.

Betting ads permitted on team kits/stadiums? Yes. Tijuana soccer team is owned and sponsored by Grupo Caliente, one of Mexico's biggest betting companies.

Any restrictions? No underage betting. The minimum age is 18.

Nigeria

Is gambling legal? Yes.

Year legal gambling was established: 2005, through the National Lottery Act which established the National Lottery Regulatory Commission.

Which sports are eligible? All.

Betting parlors or online? Both, but mostly online.

Betting ads permitted on team kits/stadiums? Not at the moment, but the domestic football league just signed a contract with 1XBet.

Any restrictions? No betting adverts on TV or radio.

Sports Betting In Arab Countries

How much money is gambled each year? An estimated $4.2 billion per annum.

What issues have resulted from sports gambling in Nigeria? Potential for addiction. More and more young people are crowding betting shops and these days it is becoming common to hear the phrase 'cut my ticket' referring to one or two results ruining a betting slip.

What positive effects have resulted from sports gambling in Nigeria? Perhaps the potential for higher revenues through taxation.

Philippines

Is gambling legal? Yes.

Countries

Year legal gambling was established: There is one government regulatory body Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, which was established in 1976 or 1977 -- it largely seeks to regulate the casino business in the country.

Which sports are eligible? Horse racing, sweepstakes/lotteries.

Betting parlors or online? Both.

Betting ads permitted on team kits/stadiums? Yes.

Any restrictions? Only sweepstakes are allowed to advertise.

What issues have resulted from sports gambling in the Philippines? Illegal sports gambling, and a basketball player accused the PBA league of game fixing.

South Africa

Is gambling legal? Yes.

Year legal gambling was established: 1994 nationally (from the late 1970's in some Apartheid 'Homelands').

Which sports are eligible? Most, if not all.

Betting parlors or online? Both.

Betting ads permitted on team kits/stadiums? Yes. Some domestic cricket teams are sponsored by Hollywood Bets (Dolphins) and World Sports Betting (Cobras), while Cape Town City FC are sponsored by SportPesa.

Any restrictions? Every ad for a betting company or lottery on radio or TV must be accompanied by a Gambler's Anonymous-type message, directing people concerned to a helpline. Even local fictionional TV shows that mention a gambling storyline will carry an announcement at the end in a similar fashion.

How much money is gambled each year? Can't say for certain. Billions, surely.

What issues have resulted from sports gambling in South Africa? Addiction, including among women, poor people spending their pensions on the slot machines, corruption.

What positive effects have resulted from sports gambling in South Africa? Job creation and economic influx, especially from things like the Sun Met and Durban July horse races, not to mention casinos like Grand West, Sun City (massive, and one of the originals, even before the 1994 laws changed), and Carnival City.

United Kingdom

Is gambling legal? Yes.

Year legal gambling was established: 1961. Within six months of the law change, it is estimated 10,000 betting shops opened up.

Which sports are eligible? All sports.

Betting parlors or online? Both.

Betting ads permitted on team kits/stadiums? Yes.

Any restrictions? None. Betting can take place in stadiums -- most major sports venues have gambling partners who operate booths and/or roaming bet cashiers throughout the stadium.

How much money is gambled each year? Gross Gambling Yield in the UK between April 2016 and March 2017 was £13.8bn ($18.7 billion), according to the industry regulator, the Gambling Commission. That is equivalent to £208.50 ($282.73) for every man, woman and child in the country.

What issues have resulted from sports gambling in the UK? The Pakistan 'spot-fixing' trial involving the captain, Salman Butt, and the bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir was probably the biggest case in recent years, with each receiving custodial sentences. That arose from an undercover reporter's sting on the players and their agent. In 2009, a pan-European police inquiry found 200 matches, including 12 in the UEFA Europa League competition and three in the UEFA Champions League, to have been manipulated after players, coaches and match officials were bribed. Also in 2009, the Football Association banned and fined four players at Football League clubs for their alleged involvement in a fixed match.

What positive effects have resulted from sports gambling in the UK? The Premier League is arguably the most widely viewed season-long domestic sports competition in the world and its commercial success is in part down to its attractiveness to sports betting. But on the governance side, the UK's long history of sports betting does mean it has been able to institute lots of good-practice measures. The 2005 Gambling Act forces bookmakers to share information of corrupt activity with sports authorities. Sports corruption is also a criminal offence under that act and the 2006 Fraud Act. Given the financial rewards, though, there will always be a strong incentive for match fixers to keep trying.

Gambling has been in great demand around the world since the 11th century. Since then, many forms of gambling have been invented, among which are sports betting. Since the beginning of this century, online sports betting has gained great popularity around the world. The competition between local and international bookmakers is actively growing, one of which is the soccer betting site Parimatch.co.tz, where you can actively place online bets.

Countries

Many countries have adopted sports betting in their jurisdiction. Of course, there are also countries in which sports betting is prohibited. Such restrictions mean that there will be few international bookmakers and poor popularity of sports betting among people. Therefore, restrictions or legalization of sports betting affects whether activity in the country will be popular or not.

11 countries where people like to bet sports

Sports

We bring to your attention to some countries where sports betting is common. Among a large number of such countries, we highlight 11:

  • China;
  • United Kingdom;
  • India;
  • Australia and New Zealand;
  • Canada;
  • Nigeria;
  • Mexico;
  • Singapore;
  • Italy;
  • Kenya;

Consider each country in detail.

China

China, including Hong Kong and Macau, is among the top five countries where sports fans have a lot of fans. Gambling in casinos is prohibited in this country, but authorities allow sports betting and other gambles. Sports betting attracts a huge number of Chinese players.

There are many bookmakers and casinos in Hong Kong. They bring huge amounts of money to the treasury. Gambling is controlled by Jockey Club companies.

Biggest Sports Betting Countries

United Kingdom

Sports and excitement are a major part of the life of most Britons. They entered the culture so firmly that it is difficult to imagine England without stakes. They love original bets here, so local bookmakers earn millions of dollars.

The high popularity of sports betting is explained by the love of residents for the football match. The Premier League’s most significant football sports action takes place in the UK and has a huge fan base. Due to a large number of local players, most British sports betting sites in the world operate in the UK.

Australia, Canada, and New Zealand

Many Australians make sports bets. The betting industry has no limits since the only restriction is the ban on how bookmakers broadcast their advertisements. Australians place bets in sports halls (online sports betting sites). In addition to local experience, Australian betting companies have also expanded their presence in other countries. In New Zealand, the local SkyCity casino is actively attracting investors by placing shares.

Canadians love different types of gambling: lotteries, betting, card games, and more. The government is trying to control the gambling business by closing online casinos. It also publishes social advertising points in the fight against gaming, but 75% of residents continue to play.

India, Kenya, and Nigeria

In India, the introduction of online gambling has led to its boom. Hindus are attracted by many international bookmakers who are becoming more popular. However, sports betting throughout India are prohibited by law. Therefore, the legality of sports betting in India depends on the laws of a particular region.

Gambling has been legalized in Kenya since 1966. Now the government has introduced inflexible directives for online gambling. Most Kenyans prefer online sports betting.

Nigerians have been betting on sports for only a decade. The National Lottery Regulation Commission in 2005 legalized sports betting. Nigeria does not limit sports betting, and a large number of online and retail sports bookmakers have appeared on the market.

Mexico and Singapore

Mexico has minimum restrictions on sports betting. However, here players under the age of 18 cannot bet on sports. Players in Mexico can bet on their favorite games.

Sports Betting Tax Free Countries

Singapore in terms of gaming infrastructure is second only to Macau and Las Vegas. There are many legal casinos. They are designed for tourists, and locals need to pay the entrance fee.

Sports Betting Countries Live

Italy and Spain

In Italy, half of the gambling revenue in the country comes from electric slot machines. Italians are obsessed with football, so they are actively betting on their clubs. Italy is also “famous” for match-fixing.

The Spaniards passionately support their favorite teams, so they risk their savings without any problems. Gambling in Spain is legal, so the state, receiving a 20% gain in taxes, is not going to ban millions of hobbies.