The Countries Where Gambling Is Illegal

Many people around the world enjoy gambling on their favorite online casinos and sports betting sites but unfortunately, it isn’t always legal. While laws have changed over the years, there are still many countries that punish those who gamble illegally or those who set up online casinos without permission.

Here, we are going to look at some of the countries where gambling is illegal. Keep reading if you would like to find out more.

Cambodia

In the past, the citizens of Cambodia have been known for their gambling addictions and so the government decided to take a stand and ban all formats in 1996. However, they do allow for private lotteries that are sponsored by the government and these come in 5 different forms. For any travelers wishing to visit Cambodia, you should know that you are permitted to gamble in the country and there are casinos dedicated to this.

United Arab Emirates

Did you know that nearly every single Islamic country prohibits gambling of any kind? While this is true, you’ll find that many of the countries don’t enforce these rules and people from Islamic countries are still able to visit online gaming sites aimed at Arab players. However, in the United Arab Emirates, you’ll find that the law is much stricter, and anyone found gambling can be imprisoned for up to two years.

Singapore

Another country where gambling is illegal is Singapore. This country has banned all forms of online gambling under the Singapore Remote Gambling Act unless an exemption has been made. In this case, you’ll find that the only gambling operators to have an exemption granted in 2016 are the Singapore Turf Club and the Singapore Pools. Otherwise, you’ll find that land-based gambling is illegal as a whole but there are some operators who have been granted an exemption by the government.

Qatar

If you are looking for the country with the strictest gambling laws, then you should have a look at what Qatar has to offer. This country has made all forms of gambling illegal including sports betting which is unusual when you look at gambling laws around the world. The people of Qatar haven’t taken well to the ban and have started their own underground gambling scene. Of course, anyone who gets caught doing so will have to face the consequences.

North Korea

In North Korea, the government has tight control over the lives of the people who live there. As expected, this includes gambling as they have decided to forbid both online and offline gambling. While this is a law that is strict for citizens, it does not apply to tourists who decide to visit. However, this is only the case if the tourists are on guided tours and they visit the lone casino in the country located in Pyongyang.

Lebanon

Finally, you will find that gambling is illegal in Lebanon where the law states that citizens are not allowed to take part in any sort of gambling activities. The government in this country has the power to block any sort of online casinos that they come across as they are breaking the law. While gambling is illegal in Lebanon, you’ll find that there is one online casino and one land-based casino that are authorized to operate in the country. For players who really want to gamble, there is also a casino ship that takes them out into international waters where gambling is permitted.

What To Do When Travelling

You’ll find that many of the countries that have made gambling illegal do not require tourists to stick to these laws. This means that you can still enjoy your gambling activities when you are traveling. However, we would advise that you take a look at the laws of the country that you are visiting and ensure that you are not breaking any laws. The last thing that you want is to be arrested or charged in a foreign country as this can have complications.

Conclusion

It is interesting to look at the gambling laws around the world and gain an understanding of the countries that do not permit this sort of activity. When you have the freedom to log onto your favorite online casino and win some cash, you can almost take it for granted. While many of these countries have made gambling illegal, people do still engage in the activities. Despite the danger, the love for gambling both online and in land-based casinos still comes through.

We would recommend that you do not engage in illegal gambling and only play online casino games when it is permitted. With all of this in mind, it is possible that some of these countries will change their laws in the near future.