The Legality Of Sports Betting In Different Countries

May 25, 2023, by Toby Banks

Betting Guide

The Legal Status Of Sports Betting Across Various Countries

Betting is a deeply ingrained part of human nature, so several cultures have records of gambling dating back hundreds or even thousands of years. With sports betting, this love and appreciation are just as great. The legality of sports betting changes depending on the country. With this in mind, we'll be looking at a few regions and the position their laws take when it comes to this age-old practice.

The Legality Of Sports Betting In Argentina

Sports betting is technically legal in Argentina. However, its legality is limited and often takes some time to understand. For example, all forms of betting on horse races are now entirely legal. But, this has only sometimes been the case because of several banned laws and re-establishment. And, while you can bet on a few other sports in the country, you're only allowed to do so legally in Buenos Aires. Marks betting on most things outside of horse races is considered illegal outside that region.

The Legality Of Sports Betting In Australia

Currently, this region has one of the world's most developed sports betting markets. It became legal to bet on horse races in this country as early as 1810. The government also became one of the world's first to legalize betting on the full spectrum of sports when it passed a bill formally allowing this exercise in 1980. The sports betting operation is so refined there that their bookies have grown and spread to other countries like the United States.

The Legality Of Sports Betting In China

The People's Republic of China has a long and well-known relationship with gambling. It should come as little a surprise that betting on sports is 100% legal here. Sadly, in recent times, the government has taken a harsher stance on this practice. However, you can still engage in legal sports betting activities to your heart's content in places like Macau and Hong Kong.

The Legality Of Sports Betting In Malaysia

This country has a strict and comprehensive no-gambling policy. So, naturally, that covers sports betting as well. One possible reason why the government maintains that stance to date may be because more than half its population is Muslim. According to Islamic Laws, activities like gambling are to shield from. But having established that, there is evidence to suggest that the country still has a thriving sports betting community. The only catch is that most sports betting activities are online with sportsbooks outside the country's borders.

Bottom Line

Sports betting spans the globe today. But it's vital to know the legality of this exercise in your region before you get into it. It ensures you can effectively avoid any potentially unpleasant run-ins with the law. Would you like to know if sports betting is legal in your country?

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