Online gambling started gaining popularity in the 1990s and, at the time, seemed like a way around government control. Operators could set up business in an offshore jurisdiction and anyone with a web browser could find and wager on online gambling sites. The Department of Justice and Congress started investigating whether the sites were legal and if they should be regulated.
Legality of online gambling
Whether you are a regular gambler or a newcomer to online gambling, it is important to be aware of legal regulations. While illegal online gambling is rare and rarely prosecuted, there are still a number of issues to consider. For example, receiving large sums of money from an online gambling account can raise eyebrows in some countries.
Online gambling is a global issue that has many different legal aspects. Some countries prohibit it altogether, while others regulate it strictly. These laws affect the individual, startup, and online casino industry. Fortunately, there are a number of ways in which the legality of online gambling can be guaranteed. In addition, these laws also protect minors and prevent money laundering through online gambling sites.
Various governments and international organizations have passed laws aimed at protecting consumers against fraud and money laundering. One such law, the UK Money Laundering Regulations, requires remote online casinos to verify customers’ identities.
Legality of online gambling in France
Legality of online gambling in France is still an issue. The EU’s directives on online gambling require EU operators to be allowed access to French markets and issue local licences. However, France has not issued digital casino licenses. However, this does not mean that French operators cannot operate in the country. In fact, it is illegal to block or prosecute websites licensed in other EU countries. This would violate the principle of free flow of services within the European Economic Area.
The legality of online gambling in France has been in question since 2011. While there is no specific ban on online gambling in France, offshore casinos continue to accept French players and continue to fight the status quo in the courts. The French government does not want French players to access illegal foreign online casinos. The French government is not able to prosecute players if they play on EU licensed online casinos.
Legality of online gambling in India
While the Public Gambling Act of 1867 does not specifically state that online gambling is illegal, it does give the government the authority to block certain operators. In addition, the states have the option to allow or prohibit online gambling. For example, Telangana banned online gambling in 2017 and Tamil Nadu is slated to ban it in 2020. Other states, such as Sikkim, have legalized online gambling, which is growing in popularity in India. Other states have been stricter about gambling operations, however.
Governments in states like Maharashtra have attempted to curb gambling activities in the country by regulating internet service providers. However, those laws were overturned by the High Courts in both states. While this may have saved some Indian players, it also left an open-ended regulatory gap that makes it impossible for legal Indian gambling platforms to operate.