In many European countries, the bookmaking business has long been legalized. The reason for this is the receipt of profit, as well as the regulation of the economy. However, outside the continent, there are a number of countries that prohibit betting on sports in every possible way, and generally equate bookmakers with real criminals or scammers. And in isolated cases, illegal bookmaking activities can result in a very real prison term.
Kyrgyzstan
One of the countries where the bookmaking business was only recently banned. Initially, in 2010, the government put forward a law banning only casinos in the country. The reason for this was the high percentage of the population with gambling addiction. Five years later, the parliament introduced a law banning the work of bookmakers.
In many ways, the reason for this was the overwhelming number of foreign bookmakers trying to develop in a foreign country. In addition, the government was more concerned about its citizens, which is why they introduced the relevant laws.
China
When it comes to countries where betting is prohibited, China immediately comes to mind. And indeed, in this place, bookmaking has been prohibited since the middle of the 20th century. And here the reason for this decision was the rise of the communists to power, rather than the concerns of government members about the psychological state of the population.
Even with the ban on bookmaking, the population actively participates in local lotteries that are not banned. And in this case, some citizens get their own dose of adrenaline. The rest, trying to illegally participate in betting, resort to the services of illegal international bookmakers, which have created hundreds of mirrors on the Internet, focused on the Chinese market. Therefore, with the ban on bookmaking, the population still finds effective ways to participate in sports betting.
Cambodia
While many countries are concerned about the psychological state of their citizens, the authorities of this country believe that sports betting increases the crime rate.
Initially, betting was banned back in 1996. But after six years, there was a ray of hope, as one bookmaker managed to obtain a license to conduct its own activities in the country. However, in 2009, this bookmaker was also closed down, having its license revoked. The reason for this was the increased crime rate in the country.
But it is important to note that there are corresponding concessions for foreign tourists, since they are allowed to participate in local lotteries.
In recent years, there has been a ray of hope in the Cambodian government, given the increased number of mirrors from Western bookmakers. In fact, the population has continued to place bets and the state has no choice but to legalize betting in the country.
UAE
In an Arab country, the government primarily adheres to the Koran – the main law that prohibits participation in any gambling. And in this place, you will not have to wait for any enlightenment.
And if we talk about punishment, then even for conditional advertising of bets, they will be brought to serious responsibility. There are concessions for foreign tourists, which allows them to visit bookmakers located in the UAE.
At the same time, international bookmakers make a special bet on the Arab market due to the solvency of the population. And therefore, betting in the UAE is flourishing, albeit at an illegal level.
Brunei
This is a tiny state where you can be sentenced to up to six months just for making a deal. And you will also have to pay a fine of 10 thousand dollars.
And it is obvious that there are no prerequisites for the bookmaking business to be legalized in Brunei. Every year the government of the country revises the laws, each time toughening the penalties.
Qatar
While in Brunei illegal bookmaking can be punished with fines, in Qatar any form of gambling is punished to the fullest extent. Moreover, the country’s residents themselves do not accept the law on illegal gambling activities to this day, constantly creating underground gambling scenes.
Of course, anyone caught faces serious consequences. And we won’t even talk about financial compensation.
North Korea
In this country, the government seriously controls the life of each person. Therefore, any hints of illegal bookmaking activities are immediately suppressed and punished to the fullest extent.
Moreover, the law does not apply to foreign tourists who decide to visit North Korea. And even then, this is in the case of visiting a casino in Pyongyang for excursion purposes. Otherwise, even a foreign tourist will be subject to appropriate measures.
The remaining countries where bookmakers are illegal
Let’s look at the remaining states where bookmaking is prohibited. Let’s go over it briefly:
- Lebanon – legal gambling is allowed only in state-owned casinos;
- Afghanistan – similar situation;
- Indonesia – Muslim discontent with gambling;
- Pakistan – tolerant attitude towards illegal bookmakers, but gambling itself is prohibited;
- Japan – direct association with China;
- Cyprus – some gambling is allowed, but sports betting is still prohibited.
The expediency of the decision of the government of the countries to ban the bookmaking business
Each country has an obvious reason for banning betting. But even despite all sorts of bans, fines and even criminal penalties, citizens of all the listed countries have workarounds in the form of using the same mirrors from international bookmakers.
And, of course, this greatly harms the economy of the listed countries. Therefore, sooner or later, the government of each state will see glimmers of the need to legalize the bookmaking business, albeit with high tax payments that can be used for the development of the country.
Conclusion
Today it is obvious that betting is a profitable business, capable of bringing in millions and even billions of dollars both to the organizers and to the states that have legalized the bookmaking business in their countries.
For this reason alone, the countries listed should think about the advisability of blocking gambling and try to find accessible ways by which anyone can legally place bets and not worry about possible punishment.
