A Global Guide To Legal Betting Regulations For Sportsbooks

Online sports betting is a growing worldwide phenomenon. However, it isn’t legal everywhere and regulations vary based on nation, state or province. As a sportsbook, you’ll want to do your due diligence before launching or expanding your operations into new nations. Let’s examine some of the sports gaming regulations for different countries and continents below, as of this writing.

United States

Long illegal in most US states and territories, in 2018 the US Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, opening the way for a major expansion in both online and physical sports gaming. Currently, 36 US states allow retail sports betting and 30 permit online sports wagers, according to the American Gaming Association. Missouri and Mississippi have legalized online sports betting on the ballot and bettors could place wagers in these states soon.

In New York, bettors can only wager on in-state collegiate teams and events, such as sports teams affiliated with colleges and universities. By contrast, Nevada, home of traditional gambling destination Las Vegas, has no restrictions on any betting types. Some states also charge high operating fees for sportsbooks. Pennsylvania asks books for a $10 million license fee, Illinois demands a $20 million online fee and New York a $25 million one-time online payment, but none for land-based operations.

Canada

Canada followed the U.S. a few years later, allowing provinces to legalize and regulate sports gaming in August 2021. Virtually every province now permits some type of sports wagering, with users needing to be age 19 or else 18, depending on the province. Unlike the situation in some U.S. states, Canadian bettors can wager on all major sports leagues, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS, NHL and CFL.

Europe

The sports gaming situation in Europe varies. Regulations differ by country, with some nations more favorable to new sportsbooks than others. Overall, the European sports betting landscape is more heavily regulated than other parts of the world.

Italy legalized both physical and online sports betting in 2006 and Italy’s gambling laws are less restrictive than other European countries. France permitted online bets in 2010 and interested books must obtain a license from ANJ, the French agency that oversees sports betting.

The Netherlands approved online sports gaming in 2021, but sportsbooks must pay taxes that range up to 29% of gross revenue, contribute 1.5% of earnings to support local regulatory bodies and allocate 0.5% to anti-gambling programs. The United Kingdom oversees gaming operations through the UK Gaming Commission. Online sports betting in the UK is popular, with wide range of sports betting options.

Latin America

Latin America is a growing online sports betting market and interested sportsbooks are taking note. Sports bets are the most popular type of wager in Latin America, unlike casino games in other parts of the world. Different countries have varying laws and some nations are more open to online sports gaming than others.

Columbia is one of Latin America’s most mature markets, legalizing online gambling in 2016. Interested operators need a license from Coljuegos, Columbia’s regulatory agency. Mexico is also a stable place for sportsbooks. The Ministry of the Interior oversees new licenses, so sportsbooks need to get approvals from that agency. Unlike other countries, books in Argentina must deal with a decentralized gaming system. Provinces and localities, such as Buenos Aries, approve new gaming licenses.

Africa

Sports gaming in Africa is far less regulated than in Europe, although some countries restrict it. Most North African nations ban online gaming. However, the online sports betting environment is more open in the rest of the continent, although regulations are often spotty and unclear. In South Africa, online casinos are banned but sports betting is an exception. Independent sports betting platforms took advantage of a loophole in South African law to establish a foothold in the country.

Nigeria has local regulatory bodies such as the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLB), but there’s no clear national body overseeing online sports gaming. Gaming laws in Kenya are outdated and Kenyan sportsbook Sportpesa has faced license renewal issues. Kenya’s government seems to be moving toward higher gambling taxes and fines, discouraging new sportsbooks from entering its market. Overall, Africa is a growing opportunity for online sports betting, but a lack of clear regulations makes setting up a sportsbook in the continent somewhat complicated.

Australia

Australia’s government legalized sports betting with the Interactive Gambling Act in 2001. Regulations on who is allowed to place bets are virtually nonexistent. National laws don’t cover sports users, but regulations for sportsbooks do vary by state. One important consideration for books in Australia is that all bets must be placed before the start of any match. Live in-game wagers are not legal, so operators can’t offer some of the same profitable plays and parlays bettors in other nations enjoy.

Adjust Odds And Data For Each Location

Once your sportsbook has researched the laws and regulations for each country and continent where you plan to operate, you can then adjust your odds and data so they’re specific for each geographic location. Different sports are also more or less popular based on location, so you’ll want to customize your sports feed coverage to cater to your customers’ demands.

For example, soccer is the most popular international sport and your sportsbook can’t go wrong offering the best soccer bets on your site. However, NFL football is the largest sport for bettors in the United States, with NBA basketball a close second. NHL hockey dominates the sports wagering landscape in Canada, while rugby and cricket are very popular in Australia. Horse racing is a huge draw for many bettors throughout the world.

You need access to the most accurate sports coverage and odds feeds available, so you can provide the best up-to-the-minute data bettors want. Once you have that information, you’ll attract users and ensure they’ll keep placing bets with your sportsbook instead of your competitors.

Partner With LSports To Get The Best Data

Navigating the complicated sports betting landscape is not easy. You need a partner who can offer you the best odds and data to make your sportsbook a success, no matter where you’re operating. Contact LSports to get started.