Sports Betting by Country
International sports betting regulations, licensed operators, and market guides for 15countries — from the UK's mature UKGC framework to emerging markets in Brazil and Canada.
Global Sports Betting Regulation
The global sports betting market is projected to reach $180 billion in handle by 2027, with the majority of growth coming from newly regulated markets in North America, Latin America, and Europe. The key licensing jurisdictions are: the UK Gambling Commission (the gold standard for player protection), Malta's MGA (widely used by European-facing operators), and increasingly individual national regulators as countries replace offshore grey-market access with domestic licensing frameworks.
Always verify that a sportsbook holds a valid licence in your country before depositing — unlicensed operators offer no regulatory recourse if disputes arise. The safest approach is to use an operator licensed by the UKGC, MGA, or your own national regulator.
United Kingdom
UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)
One of the world's most mature regulated markets. UKGC-licensed operators must meet strict player protection, advertising, and responsible gambling standards. No betting tax for punters (operators pay 21% Point of Consumption Tax).
United States
State-by-state regulation
Legal in 35+ states following the 2018 PASPA Supreme Court ruling. Each state licenses operators independently — see our US State Guide for market-by-market detail.
Australia
Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)
Online sports betting is legal and regulated at the federal level with state/territory licensing. In-play live betting is prohibited online (retail permitted). TAB operates in each state as the traditional totalisator operator.
Germany
Joint Gambling Authority (GGL)
Germany's Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüNeuRStV) came into force in 2021 establishing a federal licensing framework for sports betting and online casino. Monthly deposit limit €1,000. Live betting permitted with restrictions.
France
Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ)
Sports betting has been regulated since 2010 via ANJ (formerly ARJEL). French bettors pay a levy on winnings; odds are slightly shorter than other European markets due to the tax burden. Betting exchanges are not permitted.
Italy
Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM)
Italy has had regulated online sports betting since 2006. ADM licensing covers all commercial operators. Advertising of gambling is heavily restricted since the 2018 'Dignity Decree'.
Spain
Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ)
Regulated market since 2011. Spanish players can only use DGOJ-licensed operators — unlicensed sites are blocked. Significant advertising restrictions have been in place since 2021.
Ireland
Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI)
GRAI established in 2024 replacing the earlier licensing framework. Ireland has a deep betting culture — bet365, Paddy Power, and Betfair all serve the market competitively.
Netherlands
Kansspelautoriteit (KSA)
Remote Gaming Act legalised online sports betting in October 2021. KSA licensing requires compliance with strict player protection and self-exclusion (Cruks) requirements.
Brazil
Secretaria de Prêmios e Apostas (SPA)
Brazil legalised fixed-odds sports betting in 2018; the regulatory framework (SPA under Finance Ministry) came into full force in 2024 with federal licensing. The world's second-largest sports betting market by handle.
Canada
iGaming Ontario (Ontario) / provincial regulators
Single-event sports betting legalised federally in 2021. Ontario operates a competitive private operator market via iGaming Ontario (launched April 2022) — Canada's only regulated province for private operators at scale.
Sweden
Spelinspektionen
Re-regulated market launched January 2019 (Gambling Act). Licensed operators may offer online sports betting; unlicensed operators are excluded. Bonus restrictions apply (one welcome bonus per operator per player).
Japan
Sport-specific agencies
Sports betting is legal only for specific sports operated by state-affiliated organisations: horse racing (JRA/NAR), keirin, boat racing (kyotei), and football pools (toto). Commercial sportsbooks are not permitted.
China
State-controlled (SLGA)
Only state-operated sports lotteries are legal. Commercial online sportsbooks are prohibited, though a significant grey/black market exists via offshore operators. Hong Kong operates separately via the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
India
State-by-state; no federal framework
Betting legality varies by state — Goa, Sikkim, and Meghalaya have licensing frameworks; most states operate under the Public Gambling Act 1867. Cricket betting dominates the large informal market.