Sports betting is one of the most popular forms of gambling all over the world. Whether you’re a fan of football, basketball, baseball, or any other sport, it’s undeniable that it brings excitement and fun to sports games. However, as with any form of gambling, it is worth knowing where you can legally bet on sports.
This blog highlights countries where sports betting is legal and regulated by strict laws, allowing enthusiastic fans around the world to participate in sports betting without fear!
What is sports betting?
Sports betting is the activity of predicting and betting on the results of sporting events. Sports betting can be done in a variety of ways, including online and through bookmakers. This may include betting based on who you think will win a particular game or event, or may include predicting the score of a game or participating in a pooled or side bet.
Sports betting can be an enjoyable and lucrative pastime, but it’s important to understand the risks involved and know when to stop. Those who take their sports betting too seriously can end up losing more money than they win, so it’s important to stay disciplined and only bet when you’re sure of your choice.
Top 5 countries with legal sports betting
- Argentina
Sports betting is indeed legal in Argentina, but there are some serious restrictions. The situation with sports betting in Argentina is similar to the situation in the US before the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA).). Horse racing is legal in all parts of Argentina.
Horse racing gambling was created in the 1880s, but was repeatedly banned and reinstated, to the point of legal status. If you go to Buenos Aires, you will have more options. Online sports betting is allowed in Buenos Aires and you can bet on esports, horse racing and most other sporting events.
- Australia
If you are looking for a country with one of the most developed sports betting markets, you should look into Australia. Horse racing was legalized in Australia as early as 1810, and a full-fledged sports betting market appeared in 1980. Australia has bookmakers all over the country. Online sports betting is also allowed. The only limitation they have is a ban on the number of sportsbook ads they broadcast. Other than that, sports betting has no real restrictions on the ground below.
Australia is present not only in its own country. As a new sports betting market has emerged in the United States, bookmaker providers from Australia have begun opening stores in the US.
Australian companies help operate bookmakers for various US casinos. This allows casinos to have bookmakers with years of experience, even though sports betting is new in the US.
- Brazil
Like in the United States, sports betting in Brazil is fairly recent. Back in December 2018, sports betting in Brazil was officially legalized. The new law allows both retail and online sports bookmakers to be active in the country, but there are some legal issues with Brazilian sports betting.
Individual states want to control taxation and distribution. Due to the sheer size of the country, sports betting in Brazil will attract many bookmaker operators from all over the world. For now, most sports betting in Brazil will be done through offshore online bookmakers as the country works to create its own brand of sports bookmakers.
- Canada
Simply put, Canada offers sports betting. But it’s not that easy. Sports betting has no federal restrictions in Canada. Canadian sports betting laws are enacted through both the federal government and each provincial government. For example, Alberta bookmakers can only operate through a set list of gaming brands, but there are currently no online sports betting sites in Alberta.
There are also legal sports betting in British Columbia, but they only allow sports betting on six different websites. Each site can set limits such as the odds they offer and bet sizes. Online bookmakers are allowed in Ontario, but there are no single bets.
- China
China is, in fact, the country that invented gambling. The Chinese have been playing games since ancient times and they have developed many different games. Although now the Chinese government looks down on gambling and has restricted most of its forms. But sports betting is active in Hong Kong and Macau. Hong Kong Jockey Club is the only legal bookmaker in Hong Kong. Sports betting is allowed in Macau But they lack the proper conditions.
Sports lottery is usually held by bookmakers in China. This is when sports bettors make pooled bets on either European football or American basketball. The reason this is allowed is because the Chinese government does not consider lotteries to be a form of gambling. Not everyone in China is satisfied with just that. Most Chinese sports bettors take their money and go to online bookmakers.
Although the Chinese government has blocked many sites, sports bettors know how to get around the online blockade and find alternatives.