Top countries for legal casino advertising

In many Tier countries, the gambling industry has a mixed reputation and perception. Gambling advertising is often restricted or even prohibited, partly due to the presence of unscrupulous operators. Some operators may manipulate game mechanics or random number generators (RNG), while others delay payouts altogether.

That’s why affiliates should focus on regions where iGaming is legally regulated and operates transparently. While such markets are limited, promoting casinos in these regions helps avoid ad account bans and regulatory issues. In this article, experts from 888STARZ Partners will highlight the best markets for online casino promotion in GEOs where it’s officially allowed.

Gambling regulation overview

As of 2025, around 80 jurisdictions worldwide permit the operation and advertising of online casinos. However, laws vary significantly across these regions, with each GEO regulates the iGaming industry in its own way. Some jurisdictions allow only specific types of Gambling, while others impose strict marketing requirements. Despite these differences, these 80 legal zones can be broadly classified into four categories:

1. Online casinos are completely banned.

In countries like North Korea, Qatar, Cuba, and the UAE, gambling is entirely banned due to strict political, ideological, or religious reasons. In these GEOs, operating an online casino, visiting such websites, or promoting them is a criminal offense. However, there are exceptions: tourists in Egypt, China, and North Korea can legally visit land-based casinos, though access may be restricted to specific cities.

2. Partial restrictions are in place.

Some countries, such as Cyprus and Singapore, permit certain licensed online gambling platforms while blocking all others. Only state-regulated or locally licensed operators can legally offer gambling services. This category also includes regions where specific types of gambling are prohibited — for example, poker may be legal for all citizens, while slots or crash games remain banned.

3. Territorial division is characteristic.

In the U.S., Canada, and several other countries, gambing regulations vary by state or province. While the online casino niche is fully legal in certain regions, it remains completely prohibited in others. Each licensed area has its own local regulatory framework, making compliance a key factor for operators.

4. Online casino activities are allowed.

Countries like Sweden, Malta, and the Philippines have well-defined online casino laws that comprehensively regulate operations. These jurisdictions provide clear licensing conditions and establish strict liability for violations. However, despite full gambling legislation, some of these markets impose restrictions on foreign online platforms.

In which countries is online casino advertising banned?

As mentioned above, online casino advertising is completely banned in some countries. To help you understand where gambling promotion is illegal, we’ve prepared a table listing countries with advertising restrictions:

Tier	Blacklisted countries
Tier 1	France, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, UAE, Saudi Arabia
Tier 2	Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Greece, Portugal, Malaysia, Turkey, South Africa, Chile, Thailand, Turkey, North Korea
Tier 3	Indonesia, Egypt, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Kenya, Morocco, Ukraine

At the same time, the 888STARZ Partners platform offers a wide range of GEOs for promoting gambling offers, including Cameroon, Egypt, Mali, Azerbaijan, Kenya, Togo, and many other countries across different tiers. To ensure our partners don’t face difficulties when launching ad campaigns in GEOs with online casino restrictions, our affiliate managers share effective bypass strategies and provide top-performing ad bundles for our partners.

Best non restricted countries for legally promoting online casinos

Let’s take a look at the top countries where affiliates can legally promote Gambling offers. The GEOs listed below either have clear regulatory frameworks for online casinos or allow gambling in specific administrative regions with their own set of rules. To make things easier, we’ll categorize these countries by Tier and focus on the most profitable markets for affiliate marketing.

Tier 1

Starting with Tier 1 countries—these regions have a high standard of living, strong purchasing power, and premium-quality leads. However, competition among webmasters is fierce, and audiences tend to be more selective when it comes to iGaming advertising.

United States

In the U.S., online gambling is regulated at both the federal and state levels. The primary federal law, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006, prohibits financial institutions from processing payments related to illegal gambling, including deposits to unlicensed casinos. However, individual states have the power to legalize and regulate online gambling within their own jurisdictions. Some of the key states where online casinos are fully legal include:

• New Jersey;
• Pennsylvania;
• Michigan;
• West Virginia.

Meanwhile, states like New York and California impose heavy restrictions on online casinos. In California, for instance, only land-based casinos operating within Native American reservations are allowed.

Canada

In Canada, Gambling is regulated at the provincial level. Here online casino operators must obtain licenses from provincial authorities — for example, in Ontario, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) grants licenses for online casinos. In Indigenous reservation areas like Kahnawake, operators also need approval to operate legally. Due to Canada’s outdated iGaming regulations, many international platforms successfully operate in a “grey zone” and remain accessible to players without legal repercussions.

As with online casino promotion, each province in Canada also has its own set of laws regarding the Gambling legislation. If you’re looking to promote such types of offers in Canada, check out this article at 888STARZ Partners blog, where we break down the details of sports betting advertising in this promising GEO.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has one of the strictest regulatory systems under the oversight of the UK Gambling Commission. All casino operators must comply with a set of rules for player protection, including regular checks for money laundering and restrictions on platform advertising. Key regulations include:

• A ban on credit card deposits since 2020;
• Mandatory stake limits for online slots, introduced in 2023.

Germany

Since 2021, Germany has regulated online casinos and poker under its Fourth Interstate Gambling Treaty. However, strict compliance does not cancel the regulatory norms, which include a number of restrictions.

• €1,000 monthly deposit cap per player;
• Ban on slot play from 9 PM to 6 AM;
• Mandatory ID verification before playing.

However, these restrictions apply only in federal states where online casinos are legal. In other regions of Germany, gambling platforms remain unregulated, allowing players to access offshore websites freely.

Italy

Italy regulates online gambling through the ADM (Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli). All operators must pay a significant tax on gross income (up to 25%) and block all users who have not registered and verified their identity. Since 2018, Gambling ads during sports broadcasts have been banned. Also there were stronger responsible measures in 2023, including deposit limits for new players.

Spain

In Spain, the DGOJ (Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling) issues licenses for specific types of Gambling (e.g., sports betting, lotteries, poker, and slots). Players must register in the national player registry, and operators must comply with strict rules regarding the advertising and promotion of their platforms (for example, advertising is prohibited between 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM). Taxes range from 20-25% of gambling platform revenue, resulting in a limited number of online casinos operating in the country.

Tier 2

Now, let’s move on to mid-tier countries. The Tier 2 category can be considered the golden mean, where a moderate level of competition coexists with high purchasing power and strong prospects for online casino expansion.

Brazil

Until 2023, online casinos in Brazil were entirely illegal. However, regulatory efforts to legalize Betting have also impacted the Gambling sector, paving the way for a fairer regulatory framework. The Brazilian Ministry of Finance is currently developing licensing rules for online operators, which will include an obligatory 18% tax on monthly revenue.

Additionally, local authorities are discussing further legalization of other types of Gambling, but for now, most platforms operate in a “grey zone,” with local players spinning slots and playing online poker on international platforms.

Argentina

Online casino regulation in Argentina is decentralized and varies by province. At the federal level, Gambling falls under the Ley de Juegos de Azar law, which grants provinces the authority to issue licenses and establish their own online casino regulations. In some provinces, such as Buenos Aires, online casinos and sports betting have been legal since 2020. They are regulated by the local lottery authority, Lotería de la Ciudad, which issues casino license to operators on the condition of paying taxes (up to 15% of income). Other provinces, including Córdoba and Mendoza, also allow online gambling but require operators to partner with local companies.

The Lotería Nacional Argentina oversees all interprovincial casinos and lotteries but does not have unified control over the online market. Since 2022, Argentina has been considering the creation of a national regulatory body for online casinos to standardize taxation (with a proposed rate of 20–25%) and strengthen player protection.

Malta

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) issues licenses for: casinos, sports betting, poker, lotteries, and other Gambling activities. Operators are subject to a tax rate ranging from 5% to 35%, depending on their revenue. Malta has also legalized blockchain and NFT technologies within the gambling industry, but cryptocurrency deposits remain prohibited to ensure legal payment methods for players.

Companies must comply with anti-money laundering iGaming regulations and implement player protection measures, such as identity verification and self-exclusion options. While Malta attracts operators with low taxes and access to the EU market, the country has faced criticism for weak oversight of gambling addiction among its citizens. In 2024, Malta tightened Gambling legislation to improve its reputation, but the country is still considered one of the most attractive GEOs for obtaining a casino license.

Tier 3

We wrap up our ranking with countries classified as Tier 3 GEOs. These markets are characterized by low purchasing power, which results in cheaper leads. However, their large audiences and low competition often compensate for these drawbacks.

India

In India, online casino laws are regulated at the state level. A federal law dating back to 1867 prohibits most forms of Пambling, but online casinos often operate offshore, and many players place bets on international platforms. Exceptions include the states of Sikkim and Goa, which have legalized certain types of betting, such as poker and slots. In 2023, discussions emerged about creating a unified regulatory body for online gambling.

Not only online casinos but also sports betting platforms are legal in India. With the right marketing approach, they can generate significant traffic and solid revenue. To learn how to promote sports betting in this promising GEO, visit the 888STARZ Partners blog for a detailed guide.

Philippines

Gambling platforms are permitted in the Philippines, but only for operators licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). Operators in the special economic zone Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) can only cater to tourists, while local residents can access platforms that hold a Philippine license. In 2023, the country intensified its crackdown on illegal gambling websites, enforcing mass blockages and introducing criminal penalties for regulatory violations.

Nigeria

In Nigeria, iGaming regulation is primarily handled by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), established under the National Lottery Act of 2005. The NLRC governs lotteries, sports betting, online casinos, and other forms of gambling in the country. 

However, Nigeria’s legal framework is not uniform nationwide — the Criminal Code applies to the southern states, while the Penal Code governs the northern regions. This distinction is due to religious and cultural differences, with the north being predominantly Muslim and the south largely Christian. With the growth of demand for online gambling, the NLRC has tightened gambling regulations for digital platforms, requiring licensing, user verification, and implementing consumer protection measures.

In conclusion, among Tier 1 countries, the best places to obtain a license are the USA, Canada, Germany, the UK, Italy, and Spain. Wheel looking at Tier 2, we covered Brazil, Argentina, and Malta. Meanwhile, for licensing in Tier 3 GEOs, India, the Philippines, and Nigeria stand out as the best choices. Regardless of the market, each country has its own set of laws and restrictions that must be carefully considered when selecting a jurisdiction for an online casino license.

Conclusion

Although online casinos are banned in most countries, the gambling industry is actively growing, and both local and international operators are emerging in an increasing number of countries. However, it’s still best for webmasters to choose GEOs where this niche is fully legal to avoid unnecessary restrictions and save on advertising budgets.

If you’re not keen on finding GEOs where online gambling is 100% legal, start promoting offers with 888STARZ Partners. We provide a wide selection of over 100 countries, including regions where Betting and Gambling offers are legally allowed. If you encounter difficulties with promotion, reach out to your personal manager — they know exactly how to bypass advertising restrictions and which traffic sources are best to focus on. You’re almost there!