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. To begin with, we would like to provide links to online gambling regulators in various countries around the world. These are the organisations to which you should submit a complaint if you have been the victim of an unscrupulous online casino.
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 | Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection (IAUI) | iaui.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 | Office for the Supervision of Gaming (Ministry of Finance) | 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 | UK Gambling Commission | 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) | pagcor.ph | State operator-regulator; offshore POGO segment winding down |
| 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 | Ministry of Finance; NLB; DLB | treasury.gov.lk / nlb.lk / dlb.lk | — |
| 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 | Ministry of Culture & Sports – regulates gambling zones; online betting regulated | — | Betting companies licensed; geo-restrictions |
| Kyrgyzstan | State Service for Regulation & Supervision of Gambling | — | Casinos for foreigners; online segment developing |
| Uzbekistan | Gambling largely prohibited; state lottery framework limited | — | — |
| Tajikistan | Gambling prohibited | — | — |
| Turkmenistan | Gambling prohibited | — | — |
| Palestine | Gambling prohibited | — | — |
| Taiwan | Ministry of Finance – lotteries; casinos prohibited | mof.gov.tw | — |
| India (Federal) | No single federal gambling regulator; emerging online gaming reforms (2025) | — | Legacy Public Gambling Act 1867; policy evolving |
| India – Goa | State permissions for land-based casinos; state Home Department | goa.gov.in | Casinos on vessels & select zones |
| India – Sikkim | Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Act, 2008 | — | Geo-restricted online licensing |
| India – Nagaland | Nagaland Online Games of Skill Act | — | Licenses for online skill games |
| India – Meghalaya | Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act (varied implementation) | meghalaya.gov.in | Framework evolving |
| 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 | POGO regime (winding down) | — | Gov. orders 2024–2025 to phase out POGO |
| 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) | Limited gambling (lottery, racing); oversight via Texas Lottery Commission | txlottery.org | Casinos not legal; sports betting pending |
| 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) | Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB); BCLC (lottery operator) | gaming.gov.bc.ca / bclc.com | Provincial monopoly; online gaming via PlayNow |
| Quebec | Loto-Québec; Ministry of Finance (oversight) | lotoquebec.com | Monopoly model; online via espacejeux.com |
| Alberta (Canada) | Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) | aglc.ca | Provincial gaming regulator; online via PlayAlberta |
| 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 for federal lotteries | gov.br/fazenda / caixa.gov.br |
Sports betting & online gaming framework emerging; federal oversight |
| 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) | Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) – Racing, Gaming and Liquor | dlgsc.wa.gov.au | Strict limits; online casinos not permitted |
| 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 Racing Commission | justice.nt.gov.au | Licenses online bookmakers (Betfair, Sportsbet) |
| New Zealand | Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) | dia.govt.nz | Regulates gambling and lotteries; online casinos prohibited |
| 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 |
