Jan 13, 2025

9 min read

Top 10 Gambling Friendly Countries (2025)

Discover the best locations to launch your gambling and iGaming business and learn how to protect yourself from gambling-related fraud.

Oraz Kereibayev

Content Manager

Gambling attracts people from all over the world. However, every country has different rules for the gambling industry. For instance, some countries or regions prefer to implement robust gambling controls or to even ban gaming altogether, while others permit easy access to casinos or iGaming websites. So, which regions are the most gambling-friendly?

1. Curaçao

Let’s start with a small island country located in the South Caribbean. Curaçao has offered its online gaming license since 1993, making it one of the oldest, most-accessible, cost-effective iGaming jurisdictions in the world.

Curaçao’s economy heavily relies on its iGaming industry, which was legalized in 1996. Since then, the island had almost 30 years to develop an efficient gaming license application procedure. The application procedure is simple in comparison to other countries, and it does not require an enormous amount of paid-up capital. This has turned the country into a hub for online casinos.

Recent developments in Curaçao’s gambling regulatory framework mark a significant transition as the National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK) moves through parliament, with final approval expected soon. This new legislation aims to modernize and strengthen the regulatory environment for online gambling, addressing previous vulnerabilities such as inadequate oversight and potential exploitation by criminal organizations.

Key changes include the elimination of the master license and sub-licensing system, requiring all operators to apply directly to the newly established Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) for their licenses. The LOK introduces stricter licensing criteria, including a minimum application fee of ANG 120,000 (approximately $66,600), ensuring that only reputable operators remain in the market.

The transition to this new framework is already underway, with existing licenses set to expire by January 31, 2025. Operators must register their sub-licenses with the Gaming Control Board (GCB) before March 31, 2024, or risk operating illegally once the new regulations take effect. Additionally, the GCB has begun issuing licenses under the new regime, signaling strong industry adaptation to these regulatory changes.

2. Malta

Malta has a variety of gambling activities that can be licensed. Malta’s tax credit system reduces the real tax rate to 5%, making it one of the most tax-attractive jurisdictions for gambling. The country is also an EU member.

Depending on the type of services provided, companies will have to obtain one of the following licenses:

One for casino games and lotteries; the minimum capital required is EUR 100,000 (approximately $109,700)
One for betting; the minimum capital required is EUR 100,000 (approximately $109,700)
One for poker and lotteries; the minimum capital required is EUR 40,000 (approximately $43,865)
One for skill games; the minimum capital required is EUR 40,000 (approximately $43,865)

To obtain these licenses, companies should meet the following requirements:

Open an office in Malta
Have at least one shareholder
Have at least one director with the Maltese residency
Open at least two banking accounts
Employ relevant staff members, such as a compliance officer, internal auditor, and data protection officer
Pay a monthly fee, which will depend on the company’s income
Pay state duty and yearly license fee.

3. United Kingdom

The UK gambling market is considered the second largest in Europe. To manage such demand, companies and regulators constantly need to improve the gambling system. While the regulations are not as lenient as the ones in enforced Curaçao, these rules ensure efficiency, transparency, and consistency

UK gambling licenses fall into three categories:

Operating
Personal
Premises

The Gambling Commission issues Operating and Personal licenses, while local authorities issue Premises licenses.

Each license type can be subdivided into remote and non-remote. Remote gambling operators do not have to demonstrate physical presence, such as having an office or equipment in the UK.

The Commission requires all licensees to meet these objectives:

Ensure that gambling is conducted fairly and openly
Protect customers

Licensees must obtain and verify the identity of a customer before permitting them to gamble. Required information includes, but is not limited to:

Name
Address
Date of birth

There are three main reasons why gambling companies ask their customers to pass verification:

To confirm their identity for AML purposes
To check whether they are old enough to gamble
To check whether they are self-excluded from gambling

If you want to learn more about the licensing process in the UK, check out our in-depth guide on the topic here.

In 2024, the UK gambling regulatory framework underwent significant updates aimed at enhancing player protection and promoting responsible gambling, including financial risk and affordability checks, stricter advertising regulations, and stake limits for online slots.

These updates reflect a broader trend toward more stringent regulations in the UK gambling sector, emphasizing consumer safety and responsible gaming practices while adapting to the evolving landscape of digital gambling.

4. The Isle of Man

The Isle of Man has signs of self-governance, but it operates under the jurisdiction of the British Crown. The Isle of Man is considered one of the most beneficial places to get a license since the procedure is far less complicated than in many other countries.

The corporate tax rate is set at 0%, and there is no capital gains, wealth, or inheritance tax. This means that gambling operators can save significant amounts of money by choosing the Isle of Man as their licensing jurisdiction. Also, the Isle of Man can offer flexible and investor friendly regulations that ensure protection of vulnerable individuals, but isn’t too punitive towards investors.

In addition, the Isle of Man offers a wide range of license types to suit the needs of different types of gambling operators. These include:

Online gambling licenses for casino, sports betting, and poker operators
Software supplier licenses for providers of online gambling software
Hosting service provider licenses for companies that provide online gambling hosting service

To obtain a license, companies should take the following steps:

Register a legal entity in the Isle of Man
Open a corporate account
Collect the necessary documents (e.g., corporate policy, business plan, software documentation, etc.)
Submit the application to the Gambling Supervisory Commission (basic fee is approximately $47,000 and the application fee is $6,700)

The license is valid for a period of 5 years.

In 2024, the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) reinforced its licensing requirements for online gambling operators. Key stipulations include hosting game servers in the Isle of Man and ensuring compliance with anti-money laundering regulations.

5. Italy

Companies that wish to provide gambling services in Italy must get licensed by the government. The regulatory bodies in charge of land-based and online gambling in Italy are Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stato (AAMS) and Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM). ADM exercises the role of overseer of the state with regards to gambling, ensuring the interests of the Treasury by collecting duties and managing disputes.

When it comes to online gambling, Italian licenses can be separated into the following categories:

Skill games (e.g., roulette, slots, card games)
Fixed odds betting (e.g., horse racing, pool betting)

In order to obtain online gambling license, companies need to provide following documents:

Proof of physical presence in Italy
Proof of existence of a local bank account
Proof of minimum share capital of the company in Italy (the exact percent depends on the type of activity)
A monthly declaration with details regarding income
Evidence showing compliance with the principles regarding the protection of minors.

Suggested read: What is Responsible Gaming?

6. Gibraltar

With a 1% corporate tax, and no sales tax or VAT, Gibraltar is an attractive licensing jurisdiction. The government is supportive of new gaming companies, realizing the importance of the sector. Gambling operators are equally interested in legislation and want the environment to be predictable.

However, the advantages come in only after the company gets legalized. Prior to that, each applicant has to go through a thorough check. Companies need to obtain one of the following licenses, depending on their activities:

Casino Gaming
Betting
Lotteries
Social Gaming

The requirements for the licenses include:

Opening an office in Gibraltar
Having local directors
Proving the impeccable reputation of the shareholders and the directors
Proving prior experience in the gaming industry
Showing a license obtained in another jurisdiction
Opening necessary bank accounts in Gibraltar
Paying all the necessary fees.

In October 2024, a regulatory settlement was reached between the Gambling Commissioner and a Remote Gambling license holder regarding AML deficiencies, emphasizing the industry’s ongoing focus on compliance. Additionally, the consultation for the new Gambling Act concluded in November 2024. This proposed legislation includes a tiered licensing fee structure based on gross betting yield, ensuring that fees are proportionate to the size and revenue of gambling operators.

7. Australia

Australia simultaneously has an enormous number of gamblers and pretty strict regulations, which aim to minimize the negative impact of the industry.

More online gambling operators are entering the market, and more people are participating in various forms of online betting, including sports betting, casino games, poker, and more. Online gambling in Australia saw an 8% increase from 2020 to 2022, and keeps growing.

In Australia, there is no single overarching gambling authority. Each state has its own regulator.

The key responsibilities of state gambling regulators include:

Granting licenses
Monitoring compliance with regulations
Legal enforcement

Gambling operator requirements in Australia include:

Physical presence in Australia
Opening of a bank account
Proof of share capital
A monthly declaration with details regarding income earned from games of chance
Regulatory compliance with:
- Local state regulations
- Principles of minors protection
- Principles regarding the content of the promotional material and the locations where they can be displayed.

In 2024, Australia saw significant updates to its gambling regulatory framework, focusing on responsible gambling measures, advertising restrictions and compliance enhancements across various jurisdictions.

Check the full list of banned activities, as well as regulations in each state and territory, in this detailed guide: Gambling and Betting in Australia—A Complete Guide 2024.

8. Canada

Gambling is illegal in Canada unless otherwise regulated by a province. Therefore, commercial gaming and betting can be allowed only if it’s conducted or managed by provincial authorities. So, to open a casino in Canada, it’s necessary to comply with local laws, which differ from province to province.

Provincial legal authorities do not establish casinos themselves. Instead, provinces have established separate gambling authorities that register and regulate gambling providers.

Over the last several years, the country has lifted some of its regulations and simplified certain registration procedures, finally removing a ban on offering bets on single games in 2021.

In November 2020, the government of Ontario announced its plan to create iGaming, a gaming market regulated by the Alcohol and Gambling Commission of Ontario (AGCO). iGaming Ontario began registering companies in late 2021, and the market launch took place in April 2022.

The introduction of iGaming Ontario allows third parties to provide online gambling services by registering with the AGCO and entering into an agreement with iGaming Ontario. This new system has significant consequences for the gambling industry, as it finally opens the market for outsiders. Still, Ontario can’t allow all third parties to act independently. Therefore, iGaming Ontario performs a monitoring function.

In 2024, Canada’s regulatory landscape for online gambling underwent significant changes aimed at enhancing player protection and promoting responsible gambling. Ontario continues to lead with its regulated iGaming market, implementing stricter advertising rules to ensure consumer safety. Other provinces are following Ontario’s model, with British Columbia taking steps to improve security and player protection while still permitting offshore gambling sites with authorized licenses.

New legislation introduced in 2024 has also affected how online casinos promote their services, imposing restrictions on customer acquisition strategies. Additionally, provinces like Ontario and British Columbia established tax rates on revenue earned by online casinos, ensuring compliance with taxation laws.

Macau (China)

Often referred to as the “Gambling Capital of the World,” Macau permits land-based casinos and has become a major destination for gambling tourism, especially from mainland China. In 2023, gambling and gaming in Macau generated around 183.7 billion Macau patacas (22.9 billion USD).

When it comes to online gambling, Macau does not have specific laws or regulations prohibiting or allowing the activity. Therefore, many companies in the region use this loophole for their advantage.

If a company wishes to operate in Macau, it has to meet several requirements:

Be incorporated in the region’s system as a limited liability company with share capital of at least MOP 5 billion (approximately $621.6 million)
Have experience in the gambling industry
Have at least 15% of the company’s shares be held by Macau permanent residents.

In 2024 Macau’s Legislative Assembly (AL) passed a new law aimed at tightening gambling-related regulations, marking a significant milestone in the region’s gaming policies. This new legislation focuses on curbing illegal betting activities.

You can check the detailed information on the official website for gambling regulations in Macau, which is managed by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ).

10. Brazil

Brazil’s gambling market is entering a transformative phase in 2025 with the implementation of new regulations that officially took effect on January 1. This landmark legislation aims to establish a secure and regulated environment for online betting and gaming, addressing previous challenges related to unregulated practices and consumer protection. As the market evolves, compliance with stringent regulations will be crucial for both existing and new entrants to thrive in this growing sector.

Check out this detailed guide to learn more about the specifics of Brazil’s betting and gambling regulations: Brazil Gambling Regulations: All You Need to Know

Preventing fraud in gambling-friendly jurisdictions

Gambling-friendly countries inevitably attract fraudsters to their most popular casinos, and the operators are the ones who have to face heavy fines and reputational damage. In 2023, for example, the UK Gambling Commission fined In Touch Games £6.1 million ($7.4 million) for multiple regulatory breaches, emphasizing failures in social responsibility and AML practices.

The best solution for iGaming operators to mitigate gaming fraud risks, maintain profitability, ensure a flawless reputation, and stay AML compliant would be to use Sumsub’s iGaming full-cycle verification and fraud prevention solution.

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