Policies By Country

Virtually all forms of live and online gambling are legal within the UK provided that each operator meets the requirements of each country's online gambling regulations. This has made the UK the largest target audience for online gambling and has inspired many online gambling establishments to set up shop in countries like England and Ireland. However, the high taxation of gambling operations within the UK has caused many popular gambling companies to move to cheaper locales.

Russia/Ukraine

Russia put anti-online gaming laws in place as early as 2006. Live gambling remained quite popular until late in 2009 when both Russia and Ukraine banned live gambling and poker too in light of security and regulation concerns. While a majority of the population supports gambling (both live and online), there has been much contention in both the Russian and the Ukrainian governments when it comes to the prospect of re-legalizing gambling in any form.

United States

Many of the first online gambling sites (and especially poker rooms) were based out of the United States. That all changed with the passage of the UIGEA in 2006 which didn't explicitly outlaw online gambling but which made it illegal for U.S. banks and other financial institutions to transfer funds to and from online gambling sites. As a result, many of the island nations off the coast of North America have become a popular harbor for gambling companies that once operated out of the United States. When and if online gambling becomes legal in the U.S. again, they are well positioned to make their return to the States.

Australia

Australia's online gambling legislation falls between the UK and the U.S. While live gambling is not yet as popular in Australia as it is in Europe and the U.S., the country plays host to some of the largest online poker rooms. Ironically, through the country's Interactive Gambling Act online gambling operators cannot legally provide services to residents of Australia. It is not illegal for Australians to gamble online, simply for online operators to allow them to. Clear as mud right? On the other hand, online sports betting and lotteries are totally legal.