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

The United States has a dual regulatory framework for online gambling, with federal and state entities managing distinct facets of oversight. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006 is the primary federal statute that prohibits financial institutions from supporting transactions linked to unapproved gambling websites. This rule targets payment processing for deposits to illegal operators rather than specifically criminalizing online gaming.

States retain autonomy to legalize and regulate online casinos within their borders. As of now, four states have embraced full legalization:

• New Jersey (pioneering regulated iGaming in 2013);
• Pennsylvania (broad market with diverse casino partnerships);
• Michigan (combines online casinos with sports betting);
• West Virginia (emerging market with progressive licensing).

Conversely, states like New York and California maintain stringent limitations. New York permits only online sports betting, excluding casino games, while California restricts online casino operations entirely. In California, legal gambling is confined to physical casinos operating under tribal gaming compacts, with no legislative pathway yet for digital platforms.

Canada

Gambling in Canada is subject to provincial regulations. In this case, internet casino operators need to apply for licenses from provincial authorities. For instance, in Ontario, online casino licenses are granted by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO). In order to operate lawfully on Indigenous reservation territories such as Kahnawake, operators must also get clearance. Many foreign sites are able to function in a “grey zone” and continue to be available to players without facing legal consequences because of Canada’s antiquated iGaming regulations.

Every Canadian province has its unique set of gambling rules, much like with online casino promotions. Check out this post on the 888STARZ Partners blog, where we lay down the specifics of sports betting advertising in this exciting GEO, if you’re wanting to promote deals of this kind in Canada.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has one of the tightest regulation regimes under the jurisdiction of the UK Gambling Commission. All casino operators must comply with a set of standards for player protection, including frequent inspections for money laundering and prohibitions on platform advertising. Important rules consist of:

• 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

The DGOJ (Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling) in Spain issues licenses for certain types of gambling, including sports betting, lotteries, poker, and slots. Players must register with the national player registration, and operators must follow strict rules governing the marketing and promotion of their platforms (e.g., advertising is prohibited between 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM). There aren’t many online casinos in the country because of taxes that range from 20 to 25 percent of gaming platform revenue.

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

Argentina’s laws governing internet casinos are provincially distinct and decentralized. The Ley de Juegos de Azar statute, which gives provinces the power to issue licenses and create their own online casino rules, governs gambling at the federal level. Since 2020, internet casinos and sports betting have been permitted in a few regions, including Buenos Aires. They are governed by Lotería de la Ciudad, the municipal lottery body, which grants casino license to operators provided they pay taxes (up to 15% of profits). Online gaming is permitted in other provinces, such as Córdoba and Mendoza, although operators must collaborate with regional businesses.

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.

In addition to implementing player safety measures like identity verification and self-exclusion choices, companies must adhere to anti-money laundering iGaming regulations. Malta’s cheap taxes and access to the EU market draw operators, but the nation has come under fire for its lax enforcement of laws against gambling addiction. Malta is still regarded as one of the most alluring GEOs for acquiring a casino license, even though it strengthened its gambling laws in 2024 to enhance its image.

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

Only operators licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) are allowed to operate gambling platforms in the Philippines. Locals can use platforms with a Philippine license, whereas operators in the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority’s (CEZA) special economic zone are only allowed to serve tourists. The nation stepped up its war on illicit gambling websites in 2023, imposing widespread blocks and imposing criminal penalties for infractions.

Nigeria

Nigeria’s iGaming sector operates under a dual legal framework shaped by regional and cultural dynamics. Oversight is centralized under the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), created by the National Lottery Act (2005), which regulates lotteries, sports betting, online casinos, and other gambling activities. However, enforcement diverges significantly between regions:

• Southern Nigeria follows the Criminal Code, allowing regulated gambling under NLRC supervision.
• Northern Nigeria adheres to the stricter Penal Code, reflecting Islamic principles that limit gambling due to religious prohibitions.

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!