Gambling regulators



If an online casino asks you to pay tax in order to receive your winnings, it is likely to be fraudulent.

While the online gambling industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the digital economy, it is also one of the most vulnerable. Alongside legal and licensed platforms, there are a significant number of unscrupulous operators whose activities often result in players experiencing financial losses and having their rights violated. In response to this issue, the Regulated United Europe team of lawyers has prepared a detailed analytical report on the main gambling regulators in Europe and beyond. This article examines key supervisory authorities, licensing procedures and requirements for gambling operators, as well as mechanisms for protecting user rights. A separate section addresses the most frequently asked questions from clients who have experienced refusal to pay out winnings, account blocking, or an inability to withdraw funds from the platform. The company’s lawyers have compiled practical recommendations for determining whether an operator has a license, establishing the registration jurisdiction and, if necessary, filing a complaint with the relevant authority. This material is intended to raise players’ awareness of legal protection mechanisms and promote the formation of a transparent, regulated online gambling market where responsibility and fair competition are observed. The tables below identify gambling authorities and, where indicated, state gambling operators. Their powers and complaint procedures differ. A gambling regulator does not necessarily have authority to resolve an individual payment dispute or order reimbursement. For example, the British Gambling Commission receives reports of regulatory breaches but does not recover players’ money. Withdrawal disputes should normally first be submitted through the operator’s complaints procedure, followed by the applicable alternative dispute resolution or court process. Suspected fraud should also be reported to the competent law enforcement authorities.

Regulators of Online Gambling in Europe

Country Regulator Website
Austria Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF), Department of Gambling bmf.gv.at
Andorra Andorran Gaming Regulatory Council (CRAJ) craj.ad
Armenia State Revenue Committee / Ministry of Finance src.am
Belgium Gaming Commission (Kansspelcommissie) gamingcommission.be
Bulgaria National Revenue Agency (NRA) nra.bg
Croatia Ministry of Finance – Tax Administration porezna-uprava.gov.hr
Cyprus National Betting Authority nba.gov.cy
Czech Republic Ministry of Finance – Gambling Department mfcr.cz
Denmark Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden) spillemyndigheden.dk
Estonia Tax and Customs Board (EMTA) emta.ee
Finland National Police Board poliisi.fi
France National Gaming Authority (ANJ) anj.fr
Germany Joint Gambling Authority of the Länder (GGL) gluecksspiel-behoerde.de
Greece Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC) hgc.gov.gr
Hungary Supervisory Authority for Regulated Activities (SZTFH) sztfh.hu
Ireland Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) gov.ie
Italy Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) adm.gov.it
Latvia State Revenue Service (VID), which took over the functions of the Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection on 1 April 2026 vid.gov.lv
Lithuania Gambling Supervisory Authority under the Ministry of Finance lpt.lt
Luxembourg Gambling Control Authority (Ministry of Justice) justice.public.lu
Malta Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) mga.org.mt
Netherlands Gaming Authority (KSA) kansspelautoriteit.nl
Norway Norwegian Gambling Authority (Lotteritilsynet) lottstift.no
Poland Ministry of Finance / National Revenue Administration mf.gov.pl
Portugal Gaming Regulation and Inspection Service (SRIJ) srij.turismodeportugal.pt
Romania National Gambling Office (ONJN) onjn.gov.ro
Serbia Games of Chance Administration (Ministry of Finance) uis.gov.rs
Slovakia Office for the Regulation of Gambling (URHH) urhh.sk
Slovenia Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia (FURS) — gambling supervision; Ministry of Finance and Government — relevant licensing and concession functions fu.gov.si / gov.si
Spain Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) ordenacionjuego.gob.es
Sweden Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen) spelinspektionen.se
Switzerland Swiss Gambling Supervisory Authority (GESPA / ESBK) gespa.ch /
esbk.admin.ch
United Kingdom Gambling Commission — gambling regulation in Great Britain and National Lottery regulation throughout the UK. Northern Ireland has a separate framework for other gambling activities. gamblingcommission.gov.uk

Gambling Regulators in Asia

Country / Territory Regulator / Status Website Notes
China (PRC) Gambling illegal, except state lotteries (Welfare & Sports Lotteries) under State Council / MOF oversight — Online casinos prohibited; enforcement active
Hong Kong (China, SAR) Gambling policy by Home and Youth Affairs Bureau; authorised betting operated by Hong Kong Jockey Club hyab.gov.hk / hkjc.com Regulated off-course betting, lotteries
Macau (China, SAR) Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) dicj.gov.mo Integrated casino resort hub; separate concession model
Japan Japan Casino Regulatory Commission (JCRC) for IR casinos; separate regulators for lotteries/sports betting jcrc.go.jp Online casino illegal; pachinko separate regime
South Korea National Gambling Control Commission (NGCC); casinos under Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) kngcc.go.kr Kangwon Land the only casino for locals; online casinos illegal
Singapore Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) gra.gov.sg Regulates casinos, remote gambling exemptions, operators & tech suppliers
Malaysia Ministry of Finance (licensing for lotteries, betting, NFOs) mof.gov.my Online casinos prohibited; enforcement against illegal online sites
Thailand Government Lottery Office (GLO) glo.or.th Most gambling prohibited; discussions on casino IR framework ongoing
Vietnam Ministry of Finance (casinos per Decree 03/2017), pilot sports betting; provincial lottery companies mof.gov.vn Pilot allowing locals in selected casinos; strict control on online
Cambodia Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) – Casino & Gaming Management — Casinos permitted; online operations heavily restricted/ceased
Philippines Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) — domestic gambling within its statutory remit pagcor.ph Offshore gaming operations are prohibited under Republic Act No. 12312, the Anti-POGO Act of 2025. They are no longer a licensing segment undergoing a phase-out.
Indonesia Gambling prohibited — Active blocking of online gambling; criminal penalties
Brunei Gambling prohibited — —
Myanmar Limited casino permissions under 2019 law; oversight by relevant ministries — Market nascent; online largely prohibited
Laos Ministry of Finance – casinos/lotteries (restricted) — Limited concessions; online not open
Mongolia Lottery under Ministry of Finance; casinos largely prohibited — —
Nepal Department of Tourism – casino licensing tourismdepartment.gov.np Casinos for tourists; locals access restricted
Sri Lanka Gambling Regulatory Authority under the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act No. 17 of 2025 — The Act entered into operation on 1 December 2025. The National Lotteries Board and Development Lotteries Board are lottery operators under separate statutory arrangements, not substitutes for the gambling regulator.
Bhutan Bhutan Lottery Limited (under Ministry of Finance) — Lottery only
Pakistan Gambling prohibited; lotteries limited by law — —
Bangladesh Gambling prohibited — —
Afghanistan Gambling prohibited — —
Iran Gambling prohibited — —
Iraq No unified federal regulator; restricted/prohibited — —
Israel Mifal Hapayis & Israel Sports Betting Board — Casinos prohibited; online tightly restricted
Lebanon Ministry of Finance; Casino du Liban; lottery concession casinoduliban.com.lb —
Jordan Gambling prohibited — —
Saudi Arabia Gambling prohibited — —
Qatar Gambling prohibited — —
Kuwait Gambling prohibited — —
United Arab Emirates General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) — Federal regulator for gaming & lotteries; market forming
Oman Gambling prohibited — —
Yemen Gambling prohibited — —
Turkey (transcontinental) Spor Toto; Milli Piyango sportoto.gov.tr  Casinos prohibited; online casinos illegal
Cyprus (Asia context) National Betting Authority; National Gaming & Casino Supervision Commission nba.gov.cy —
Azerbaijan Ministry of Youth & Sports; Azerlotereya azerlotereya.com Casinos prohibited
Georgia Revenue Service / Ministry of Finance – gambling oversight rs.ge Restrictions for local players; online licensed operators
Kazakhstan Committee for Regulation of Gambling Business and Lottery under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports gov.kz The competent authority for gambling and lottery regulation. Licensing and restrictions depend on the activity; permission to conduct bookmaking must not be treated as permission to operate an online casino.
Kyrgyzstan State Service for Regulation & Supervision of Gambling — Casinos for foreigners; online segment developing
Uzbekistan National Agency of Perspective Projects (NAPP) — licensing and supervision of online risk-based games, lotteries and bookmaking napp.uz A licensing framework is in force. Operators must be Uzbekistan-resident legal entities and comply with local infrastructure, capital, reserve fund, player identification and state register integration requirements. Foreign licences do not replace a local licence.
Tajikistan Gambling prohibited — —
Turkmenistan Gambling prohibited — —
Palestine Gambling prohibited — —
Taiwan Ministry of Finance – lotteries; casinos prohibited mof.gov.tw —
India (Federal) Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology meity.gov.in The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 and Rules, 2026 establish the national online gaming framework. Online money games are prohibited; permissible social games and e-sports are treated separately. The Rules took effect on 1 May 2026.
India – Goa State permissions for land-based casinos; state Home Department goa.gov.in Casinos on vessels & select zones
India – Sikkim State legislation must be read together with the national online gaming framework — The Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Act, 2008 must not be presented as an independent route to offer online money games prohibited under federal law.
India – Nagaland State skill-gaming legislation must be read together with the national online gaming framework — A state skill-game licence does not override the federal prohibition on online money games. Classification as a game of skill does not by itself create an exemption.
India – Meghalaya The Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021 was repealed by the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming (Repeal) Act, 2023 meghalaya.gov.in The repealed Act is not an available licensing framework. Online gaming is also subject to the national legislation and Rules, 2026.
India – Telangana Prohibition of online gaming with stakes telangana.gov.in Strict ban includes online skill for stakes
India – Andhra Pradesh Ban on online gaming & betting ap.gov.in Broad prohibitions
India – Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling Act tn.gov.in Broad online ban incl. rummy/poker
India – Karnataka Attempts to prohibit online gaming; policy & court activity ongoing karnataka.gov.in Status subject to judiciary
India – Maharashtra Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act maharashtra.gov.in Lotteries exist; casinos not permitted
India – Delhi Delhi Public Gambling Act delhi.gov.in Skill exception debated
India – West Bengal State gambling & lotteries laws wb.gov.in —
Philippines – National PAGCOR – regulator/operator pagcor.ph Licensing, compliance, responsible gaming
Philippines – Offshore Offshore gaming operations prohibited under the Anti-POGO Act of 2025 — The prohibition covers offshore gaming operations and related activities specified in the Act. A former POGO or offshore gaming licence does not authorise continued operation.
UAE – Federal General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) — Licenses vendors & lottery; IR project approved

Gambling Regulators – North America

Country / Territory Regulator / Status Website Notes
United States (Federal) No single federal gambling regulator; oversight delegated to states; federal laws govern interstate/online aspects usa.gov Federal agencies: DOJ (enforcement), FinCEN (AML); UIGEA (2006) governs online payments
Nevada (USA) Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB); Nevada Gaming Commission gaming.nv.gov Licenses casinos, sportsbooks; first to regulate online poker
New Jersey (USA) New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE); Casino Control Commission nj.gov/oag/ge Licenses casinos, iGaming, sports betting
Pennsylvania (USA) Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov Licenses casinos, sports betting, online gaming
New York (USA) New York State Gaming Commission gaming.ny.gov Regulates casinos, sports wagering, lottery
Michigan (USA) Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) michigan.gov/mgcb Licenses casinos, internet gaming, fantasy sports
Illinois (USA) Illinois Gaming Board igb.illinois.gov Licenses casinos, sports wagering, video gaming terminals
California (USA) California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) cgcc.ca.gov Tribal and cardroom regulation; no online casinos
Florida (USA) Florida Gaming Control Commission flgaming.gov Tribal compact-based betting framework
Texas (USA) Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) — state lottery and charitable bingo tdlr.texas.gov The Texas Lottery Commission was abolished and its lottery and charitable bingo responsibilities transferred to TDLR on 1 September 2025. Racing is subject to a separate regulatory framework.
Other US States Individual state gaming commissions / lottery boards — Varying legality of online and land-based operations
Canada (Federal) Criminal Code governs framework; provinces regulate gaming within borders justice.gc.ca Each province manages casinos, online gaming, lotteries
Ontario (Canada) Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO); iGaming Ontario agco.ca / igamingontario.ca Licensed private iGaming under public oversight
British Columbia (Canada) Independent Gambling Control Office (IGCO) — regulator; British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) — operator www2.gov.bc.ca / bclc.com IGCO replaced GPEB under the new Gaming Control Act effective 13 April 2026. BCLC conducts and manages provincial gambling, including PlayNow, and is not the independent regulator.
Quebec Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ) — regulatory responsibilities within its statutory remit; Loto-Québec — state gambling operator racj.gouv.qc.ca / lotoquebec.com Loto-Québec must be distinguished from the regulator. Complaints concerning its online service should first follow the operator’s complaint procedure; the competent authority depends on the subject of the complaint.
Alberta (Canada) Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) — regulator; Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) — oversight of the regulated iGaming market aglc.ca / alberta.ca Alberta’s regulated competitive iGaming market launched on 13 July 2026. The legal online market is no longer described solely by reference to PlayAlberta; private operators must satisfy the applicable registration and market participation requirements.
Manitoba (Canada) Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA) lgcamb.ca Online gaming via PlayNow partnership
Saskatchewan (Canada) SaskGaming; Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) saskgaming.com Online platform via SIGA partnership
Nova Scotia / Atlantic Provinces Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) alc.ca Operates lotteries and online gaming for multiple provinces
Mexico Directorate General of Games and Draws (DGJS) – Ministry of the Interior (SEGOB) gob.mx/segob Federal licensing of casinos, betting, online gaming; reform pending
Bermuda Bermuda Casino Gaming Commission (BCGC) bcgc.bm Casino regulation; online limited
Cayman Islands Gambling prohibited; National Lotteries Bill proposed — Lotteries restricted; online not permitted
Bahamas Gaming Board for The Bahamas gamingboardbahamas.com Licenses casinos, sportsbooks; online via regulations
Barbados Betting and Gaming Committee; Barbados Lottery — Licenses betting, gaming, lottery concessions
Jamaica Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) bglc.gov.jm Regulates betting, gaming, lotteries; online licenses
Dominican Republic Ministry of Finance – Directorate of Casinos and Games of Chance; National Lottery  loterianacional.gob.do iGaming regulation emerging
Puerto Rico (US) Puerto Rico Gaming Commission comjuegos.pr.gov Regulates casinos, sports betting, iGaming

Gambling regulators – Latin America & Caribbean

Country / Territory Regulator / Status Website Notes
Argentina No single national regulator; provincial bodies (e.g., LOTBA – CABA; IPLyC – Buenos Aires Province) – Online licensing provincial; fragmentation by province
Bolivia Gaming Control Authority (AJ) aj.gob.bo Covers lotteries, gaming, betting
Brazil Secretaria de Prêmios e Apostas (SPA) — Ministry of Finance; CAIXA — federal lottery operator gov.br/fazenda /
caixa.gov.br
The regulated federal fixed-odds betting market, covering sports betting and eligible online games, has operated since 1 January 2025. Operators serving the nationwide market require SPA authorisation. CAIXA is an operator, not the general online gambling regulator.
Chile Superintendency of Casinos (SCJ) scj.cl Casino regulation; bill for online betting considered
Colombia Coljuegos coljuegos.gov.co Online gaming and betting licenses; pioneer in Latin America
Ecuador Casinos banned (2011); state/charity lotteries operate — Lottery by state/charity entities (e.g., Junta de Beneficencia)
Paraguay Conajzar (National Gaming Commission) conajzar.gov.py Grants concessions incl. online betting
Peru MINCETUR – DGJCMT mincetur.gob.pe Regulates casinos/slots; online betting/gaming law enacted
Uruguay National Lottery and Quiniela Directorate (DNLQ); General Directorate of Casinos (MEF) loterias.gub.uy Online casino restricted; state operations notable
Venezuela National Commission for Casinos, Bingo Halls and Slot Machines (CNC) — Market constrained; selective reopening in hotels
Costa Rica No central gambling regulator; JPS for state lotteries jps.go.cr Hosts many online operators; no local iGaming licensing
El Salvador Directorate General of Casinos and Gambling (Ministry of Finance) — Casinos permitted by license; online limited
Guatemala No unified national regulator; lotteries & gaming under dispersed/municipal rules — Market largely unregulated; lottery concessions exist
Honduras Regulatory oversight via Ministry of Finance; lottery concessions (e.g., Loto) — Concession model; online limited
Nicaragua Directorate General of Casinos and Games of Chance (MHCP) mhcp.gob.ni Casino licenses; online limited
Panama Gaming Control Board (JCJ) – Ministry of Economy & Finance juegos.mef.gob.pa Regulates casinos & online betting
Belize Gaming Control Board; Lotteries Committee — Casinos licensed; lotteries by committee
Mexico Directorate General of Gaming and Lotteries (DGJS) – SEGOB gob.mx/segob Federal permits; online under authorisations & regulations
Dominican Republic Ministry of Finance – Directorate of Casinos , and Games of Chance; National Lottery loterianacional.gob.do iGaming framework evolving
Cuba Gambling prohibited — No legal casinos/online gambling
Haiti Haitian State Lottery (LEH) — State lottery; broader gambling limited
Jamaica Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) bglc.gov.jm Regulates betting, gaming, lotteries, online licenses
Trinidad and Tobago National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB); Gambling Control Commission (law enacted) nlcb.co.tt Gambling Control Commission framework pending full implementation
Bahamas Gaming Board for The Bahamas gamingboardbahamas.com Regulates casinos & gaming; online via regulations
Barbados Betting and Gaming Committee; Barbados Lottery (operator) — Licensing for betting/gaming; lottery by concession
Puerto Rico (US) Puerto Rico Gaming Commission juegos.pr.gov Regulates casinos, sports betting, fantasy, iGaming (as enabled)

Gambling regulators – Australia & Oceania

Country / Territory Regulator / Status Website Notes
Australia (Federal) Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA); AUSTRAC (AML oversight) acma.gov.au /
austrac.gov.au
Interactive Gambling Act 2001; federal AML compliance
New South Wales (Australia) Liquor & Gaming NSW liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au Licenses for land-based and online betting
Victoria (Australia) Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) vgccc.vic.gov.au Regulates casinos, wagering, gaming machines
Queensland (Australia) Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) justice.qld.gov.au Oversees casinos, betting, lotteries
South Australia (Australia) Consumer and Business Services (CBS) – Gambling Regulation cbs.sa.gov.au Responsible Gambling Code compliance
Western Australia (Australia) Gaming and Wagering Commission of Western Australia, supported by the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) wa.gov.au Racing, gaming and liquor functions transferred from DLGSC to LGIRS on 1 July 2025. Gambling permissions remain activity-specific; this framework does not authorise online casino services prohibited under federal law.
Tasmania (Australia) Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission treasury.tas.gov.au Licenses casinos, gaming, lotteries
Australian Capital Territory (Australia) ACT Gambling and Racing Commission gamblingandracing.act.gov.au Regulates clubs, lotteries, wagering
Northern Territory (Australia) Northern Territory Wagering Commission under the Racing and Wagering Act 2024, as amended legislation.nt.gov.au Licensing and supervision of wagering businesses under the current statutory framework. Wagering authorisation does not constitute an online casino licence.
New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) dia.govt.nz The Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 is in force, with phased implementation of a licensing regime. As of October 2026, existing providers may operate only under the transitional provisions, new providers may not enter the market, and online casino advertising is prohibited. From 1 December 2026, providers that have not applied for a licence must cease operating. The fully licensed regime is expected in 2027.
Fiji Fiji Gaming & Lotteries Board (Ministry of Finance) — Licenses casinos and lotteries; limited online framework
Papua New Guinea National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) ngcb.org.pg Licenses casinos, betting; developing online regulation
Vanuatu Vanuatu Gaming and Casino Control Board — International e-gaming licensing jurisdiction
Cook Islands Ministry of Finance and Economic Management – Gaming & Lotteries Division mfem.gov.ck Issues online gaming & lottery licenses
Solomon Islands Casino Control Board — Casino Act in force; online limited
Samoa Samoa Gambling Control Authority (GCA) gca.gov.ws Regulates casinos, lotteries, sports betting
Tonga Ministry of Finance — Limited casino & online permissions
New Caledonia Gaming Authority / Government of New Caledonia — Follows French regulatory structure; lotteries/casinos
French Polynesia Gaming Authority / Ministry of Finance — Territorial control; lotteries and casinos licensed
Guam (US Territory) Government of Guam – gambling prohibited — Only charitable lotteries and raffles permitted

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