Countries that Banned Gambling

Many people around the world enjoy gambling at their favorite online casinos and sports betting sites but unfortunately, it is not always legal. Although laws have changed over the years, many countries still punish those who gamble illegally or those who set up online casinos without permission.

In some parts of the world, land-based casinos are officially banned and online gambling is prohibited, largely due to religious reasons or moral directives. If you are a gambling enthusiast who wants to know which countries to avoid on your next holiday, or you just want to know what the penalties are if you should partake, here are the countries that have declared gambling illegal.

✓ Cambodia

Cambodian citizens are known for their addiction to gambling and so the government decided to stand up and ban all formats in 1996. However, they allow government -sponsored private lotteries and they are in 5 others' t another form. For any traveler who wants to visit Cambodia, you should know that you are allowed to gamble in the country and there are casinos dedicated to it.

✓ North Korea

The government has strict control over the lives of the people living there. As expected, this includes gambling because they decided to ban both online and offline gambling. Although this is a law strictly for citizens, it does not apply to tourists who decide to visit. However, this only happens if the tourists are on a guided tour and they are visiting the only casino in the country located in Pyongyang. It’s not really a surprise that North Korea is on this list: under Kim Jong Un, any method connected with the idea of a free market was strictly forbidden to all North Koreans, even visitors to the country. are free to enjoy gambling as much as they want, as in Cambodia.   

✓ UAE

Islamic countries are mostly united in banning gambling in land-based casinos, although online gambling sometimes still finds its way into regulations. However, the United Arab Emirates has stricter penalties for those who engage in gambling or betting of any kind. Players face a prison sentence of up to two years, and the Internet has been heavily censored to limit access to online casinos.  

✓ Qatar

Of all the countries that will enforce a gambling ban, Qatar is certainly one of the strictest. Every type of gambling is completely illegal - sports betting or any type of lottery is prohibited. As with all blanket ban situations, it’s no surprise that Qatar has a bustling underground scene for gambling fans. Online gambling is also illegal, but many players still entertain themselves by playing at online casinos based in other countries, although the government is always trying to restrict access. on these sites.