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The online gambling market is booming. By 2027, the industry is expected to be worth more than $127 billion. While just about every territory is contributing to this exponential growth, it’s the Asia-Pacific region that is driving the trend. Not every Asian country has embraced online gambling. In fact, online gambling is still illegal in many Asian countries. In recent years, places like India have begun to relax laws around online betting and gambling. Elsewhere on the continent, the likes of Thailand have also rethought their approach to casino gaming and online betting. Thanks to the internet, it’s now relatively easy for would-be gamblers to find the best online casinos Asia has to offer.
How Prolific is Online Gambling in Asia?
Many Asian countries have strict laws in place that prohibit conventional gambling and land-based casinos. However, the internet has allowed many people to sidestep these rules. China has some of the toughest anti-gambling laws in the world, but it’s also home to one of the healthiest betting markets around. While traditional sports betting and the likes of poker are outlawed in China, online casinos provide a workaround for those looking to place a wager.
Elsewhere on the continent, gambling is less restricted. Countries like Thailand offer a wealth of gambling sites that have few limits in place. Meanwhile, countries like the Philippines and Singapore allow individuals to use online gambling services. However, gambling is only allowed if players are making use of platforms hosted by international operators.
Asian Gambling Hotspots
Although many countries in Asia outlaw most forms of gambling, a few corners of the continent are hotspots of activity. The most obvious of these is Macau. It’s often considered the Las Vegas of the East, with millions of tourists flocking to the peninsula every year to enjoy the dozens of casinos located there. Although land-based casinos are legal here, online gambling is currently prohibited.
It’s a similar story in Hong Kong. This autonomous Chinese region enjoys more freedoms when it comes to gambling, although the market is heavily regulated. As with Macau, it’s illegal for online casinos to operate out of Hong Kong.
Where is Online Gambling Legal in Asia?
Attitudes to internet casinos and online gambling are evolving elsewhere in China. In India, regulation is left to the discretion of individual states. This has led to a rather eclectic approach to gambling laws in the country. Some states, including Diu and Goa, have fully legalized land-based casinos. Meanwhile, sports betting enjoys much greater freedoms, with no restrictive regulations. Online gambling is also becoming more widely accepted. However, it’s a slow march to progress, with only a handful of states granting licenses to online bookmakers and casino platforms.
Going forward, it’s likely that more Asian countries will fully embrace online gambling. Elsewhere in the world, commercial casinos and online gambling contribute enormous amounts of money to local economies. As more Asian territories give the green light to online gambling, this positive economic impact will be felt around the continent. In the next few years, expect to see more Indian states relax their attitudes to online gambling and sports betting. However, don’t expect any seismic shifts from Chinese authorities anytime soon.
