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Online gambling in Europe compared to online gambling in the USA
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Online gambling has a wide spread during the past 20 years and it is slowly replacing conventional gambling parlors. Land-based gambling operators have understood the potential of convergence and have slowly implemented games that are similar to what players find in their favorite casinos around the world.
Nowadays, the popular slots games have made their way to all online casinos and it is clear that you can now play your favorite reels whenever you are located. This of course is possible if your chosen casino operator own a license in your jurisdiction. Although you are able to access online casinos, it is not possible for everyone to deposit money due to licensing frameworks.
Online gambling has a set of specific rules and it all depends on where gamblers live and what the rules for online gambling are in that certain jurisdiction.
During the past 10-15 years there have been several licensing framework that have been implements and amendments added all over the world, however we will study 2 specific jurisdictions in this article. The gambling jurisdiction for online gambling in Europe and in the USA.
Even if roller coasters are very popular in America, the regulation of online gambling in UK and Europe are certainly mirroring the ups-and-downs in the region. Gambling associations in the European Union have always suggested that gambling licenses should be controlled by the European Commission, however this never materialized. There have been news about the fact that the European Commission is working to develop a framework for online gaming in the EU, but we are still waiting to find the result.
In the European Union, online gambling is very mixed! Some countries such as Malta, UK (still part of the EU at the time when this article was written), Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Sweden and Denmark have clear licensing procedures that are governed by local governments and a have a set of laws that need to be followed by the operators. These markets have understood that in order to attract international operators that are always active and invest in regulated markets such as 888 or many more, there has to be a transparent and competitive law in force.
However, this is not the case for all 28 member states in the European Union, some have chosen to completely ban online gambling licensing and have also resorted to IP blocking and website banning in order to keep out the international operators.
When talking about the USA, it is a totally different slice of cake. In the online gambling industry, Black Friday does not refer to the biggest shopping day of the year or any tragic event that happened on a certain Friday. Black Friday refers to April 15, 2011, the day the United States brought a criminal case against three of the largest online poker companies operating in the country at the time, effectively wiping out the entire industry in America. Since 2011, Americans had lost their right to gamble online but these dark days are over now.
On 14 May 2018, the United States Supreme Court paved the way for individual states to introduce legislation permitting sports betting if they wish so, by striking down a federal law which had effectively prohibited this. This outcome was the result of a long-running attempt by the State of New Jersey to legalize sports betting within Atlantic City, following a non-binding referendum of its citizens in 2011 in favor of this.
The Supreme Court’s judgment has not made sports betting legal in the United States. What it has done is placed the ball firmly back in the courts of the individual states to legalize and regulate sports betting if – and as – they see fit, just as they already do with many forms of non-sports gambling such as casino gaming.
The partial re-opening of the US market has lead giant companies to enter the market and focus establishing their presence accordingly. Most of these companies have developed exclusive websites for the US players and have gone through significant improvements in order to deliver a superior experience. Most notable is 888 NJ, one of the most well-established online wagering operators in the world, and has been providing players with a safe, secure and fair place to wager since it first launched in 1997.
However, fears of becoming a mixed market in comparison with the European Union remain. Some states are not looking to regulate the online gambling licensing procedures. The future of online gambling in the USA is still bleak as there are certain signals about the fact that some stated might opt to block online gambling. It is certainly an interesting story in development since as a US citizen you have the same freedom all around the USA.
We will continue to report around this story of our century in the history book of the online gambling industry.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network

Latest News
GRAI Publishes 2025-2027 Strategy Statement
Reading Time: 2 minutes
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has published its Statement of Strategy for 2025 to 2027, setting out its strategic priorities over the next three years as it establishes a robust regulatory and licensing regime for the gambling sector and delivers on its public protection mandate.
Established on a statutory basis in March 2025, the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 sets out the framework and legislative basis for the GRAI which will operate as an independent, self-financing regulator under the remit of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
Minister Jim O’Callaghan TD, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration launched the new Strategy alongside Mr Paul Quinn, Chair of the Authority, and Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO of the GRAI.
The Statement of Strategy sets out the GRAI’s priorities over the next three years with particular focus on six functional areas with related strategic goals reflecting the GRAI’s legislative mandate:
• Licensing
• Monitoring and Compliance
• Enforcement
• Consumer Protection and Awareness
• People, Organisation, and Governance
• Digital First
Each goal is supported by objectives and deliverables which will guide the GRAI’s progress through to 2027.
Jim O’Callaghan TD, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs Migration, said: “I commend the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland on the publication of its first Statement of Strategy, which is an important milestone for the Authority, the gambling sector in Ireland and for the wider public.
“This strategy is not just about regulation; it is about educating the public, protecting those vulnerable to gambling harm, and ensuring that the industry operates to the highest standards of integrity and social responsibility. As Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I am committed to supporting the Authority in delivering on its mandate.”
Paul Quinn, Chairperson of the GRAI, said: “As a newly established independent regulator, we have been entrusted with a vital public mandate: to ensure that gambling in Ireland is conducted in a safe, fair, and transparent manner, with the interests of individuals, families, and the wider community at its heart.
“Our work is grounded in the principles of prevention, protection, and evidence-based regulation. This Statement of Strategy sets out the roadmap to delivering a modern, fair, and trusted regulatory regime that reflects the constantly evolving nature of gambling and the expectations of the Irish public.
“Establishing the new licensing arrangements, compliance management, and enforcement functions during the term of this Strategy is central to reducing the likelihood of gambling harms and will underpin a well-regulated gambling market in Ireland.”
Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO of the GRAI, said: “The Statement of Strategy outlines the vision, mission, and values of the Regulator through to 2027. Each goal within the Strategy outlines a thorough approach to our main functions, from building a robust licensing regime that will ensure operators are consistently adhering to standards to supporting research and educational initiatives that enhance our capabilities as a Regulator.
“The GRAI’s Statement of Strategy 2025 – 2027 has been approved by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and we look forward to achieving our strategic goals together.”
The post GRAI Publishes 2025-2027 Strategy Statement appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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NLGRB Intensifies Nationwide Crackdown on Illegal Gaming Operations
Reading Time: < 1 minute
The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board Uganda (NLGRB) intensified its nationwide crackdown on illegal gaming operations, seizing over 80 unauthorised gaming machines in Mbarara and Ibanda cities under its operation name “Mashine Haramu.”
According to the NLGRB Operations Manager, Mr. Steven Tabaruka, more than 6000 illegal gaming machines have so far been impounded across Uganda as part of the ongoing enforcement operation.
The operation targets unregulated gaming operators, suppliers, and manufacturers that exploit unsuspecting Ugandans and undermine the integrity of the industry.
Mr. Tabaruka said that the Board’s goal is to protect Ugandans by eliminating illegal gaming activities and promoting responsible gaming. He encouraged individuals in the gaming business to reach out to the NLGRB offices in Mbarara or the head office in Kampala to regularise their operations.
The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board continues to urge the public to report suspicious or illegal gaming activities as part of efforts to ensure a safe and regulated gaming environment for all.
The post NLGRB Intensifies Nationwide Crackdown on Illegal Gaming Operations appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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ACMA Blocks More Illegal Online Gambling Sites
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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has requested the Australian internet service providers (ISPs) to block more illegal online gambling sites, after investigations found these services to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
The latest sites blocked include Crown Gold, Maxispin Casino, Rain.gg, Didibet, LuckyBet, Malina Casino and Spins of Glory.
Website blocking is one of a range of enforcement options to protect Australians against illegal online gambling. Since the ACMA made its first blocking request in November 2019, 1338 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked. Around 220 illegal services have also pulled out of the Australian market since the ACMA started enforcing new illegal online gambling rules in 2017.
The post ACMA Blocks More Illegal Online Gambling Sites appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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