The world of sports betting has many traditions, rules, and regulations that vary from country to country. History and culture impact the attitude towards sports betting and its legal regulation. This article will highlight differences in the sports betting approach in different countries.
Sports betting can be extremely popular, even part of the national culture, or it can be completely prohibited and illegal. For example, Australians are considered to be the most gambling nation in the world. While in India, betting is still semi-legal, and local gamblers are still heavily restricted by laws. Nevertheless, esports betting India has grown significantly over the years, like in many Western countries.
UK: The Birthplace of Betting
The United Kingdom has a rich history of betting, and this activity has become a part of the culture. The British simply love sport, so it’s no wonder that betting has become an integral part of the country's sporting life. Bookmakers are almost everywhere, but with the development of the web, online betting is becoming more common.
The British enjoy betting on all kinds of sports, with particular attention paid to football and horseracing. Many major sporting events are held in the UK, including the Grand National, Wimbledon, etc. They attract a huge number of bets and interest from punters. To further stimulate betting and maintain interest in sports, bookmakers actively sponsor sports teams and events.
Greece: A Historic Passion for Betting
Greece is another European country where sports betting is a popular hobby. However, it has not always been legal in the country. Sports betting was banned until 2011.
Today, many betting companies buy a license to operate legally in Greece. The main regulatory body is the Hellenic Gambling Commission, which oversees the betting operators and online betting. Football is the most popular sport to bet on. Players bet on football leagues and tournaments, including the Greek Super League. Basketball is also in demand.
Australia: Bets and Sweepstakes
Australians prefer to place bets online rather than via bookmakers. Australia is also known for sweepstakes. It’s an alternative way of betting when bets are collected and placed into a common fund. The winners receive their share of this fund after the commission has been deducted.
Betting in Australia is strictly regulated by the Australian Gambling Commission. Local gambling commissions are also in charge of compliance and players’ safety. The taxes paid by betting companies go towards public welfare and sports infrastructure development.
Betting Regulation in Other Countries
There are many countries where betting is completely prohibited. For example, in Saudi Arabia, gambling online, in casinos, or at sports events is illegal. You can be arrested, fined, and even publicly shamed for doing so. Access to web resources related to betting and gambling is actively blocked by the Saudi government.
In other countries, such as Japan, sports betting remains illegal. However, the government can organize lotteries or sweepstakes. Japan has legal betting shops, but they work like closed public organizations and only on some sporting events.
The regulation of sports betting in different countries varies from strict regulation to complete prohibition. Thus, players should be aware of local laws and regulations before placing bets online in any country.
