# Gaming law > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Gaming_law > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Gaming_law.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaming_law > Source revision: 1355130138 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Rules and regulations that apply to the gaming or gambling industry Gaming law, also known as gambling law, is the set of rules and regulations that apply to the gaming or [gambling](/source/Gambling) industry. Gaming law is not a branch of [law](/source/Law) in the traditional sense but rather is a collection of several areas of law that include [criminal law](/source/Criminal_law), [regulatory law](/source/Regulatory_law), [constitutional law](/source/Constitutional_law), [administrative law](/source/Administrative_law), [company law](/source/Corporations_law), [contract law](/source/Contract), and in some jurisdictions, [competition law](/source/Competition_law). At common law, gambling requires [consideration](/source/Consideration), [chance](/source/Randomness) and [prize](/source/Prize), legal terms that must be analyzed by gaming lawyers within the context of any gaming operation.[1][2] Gaming law is enormously complex, varying significantly across countries worldwide. In the United States, it involves federal and state law considerations, and [gaming control boards.](/source/Gaming_control_board)[3][4] In Canada, it involves federal and provincial law considerations, in a variety of legal disciplines.[5] Other countries, like Australia, the United Kingdom, and members of the European Union, have their own distinct frameworks to govern [licensing](/source/License), taxation, and consumer protection within the gambling industry.[2][6][7] ## Background Gaming law encompasses a wide range of legal areas that all work together to regulate the gambling industry. There is not one single unified body of law, but it draws from criminal law, contract law, administrative law, and regulatory law to govern the operators, employees, and players in any given jurisdiction.[2][8] A main function of gaming law is licensing, which establishes who is legally allowed to operate gambling businesses and under what conditions they may be operated. Alongside licensing, gaming law also addresses the taxation of gambling revenues, consumer protection, and does its best to prevent criminal activities, such as [money laundering](/source/Money_laundering).[2][9] What makes gaming law so complex is that different jurisdictions have different sets of laws and regulations, with a wide variety of mindsets behind them. Some governments prohibit most forms of gambling, while others have strict rules to follow. The differences are mainly due to different social, cultural, and economic attitudes toward gambling across countries and regions.[10] ## Enforcement and Illegal Gambling The enforcement of gaming laws can present significant challenges for regulators across countries and regions. Governments have to balance the need to regulate legitimate gambling businesses while also addressing illegal gambling markets that work outside of the laws permitted. Illegal operations often emerge when laws are difficult to enforce or the punishments aren't enough to deter businesses.[11][12] In the United Kingdom, the [Gambling Act 2005](/source/Gambling_Act_2005) established lots of regulatory farmwork, although it did not eliminate all illegal gambling. Enforcement is particularly challenging for [online gambling](/source/Online_gambling), where operators not based in the UK can offer gambling related services to British users while avoiding British regulation.[11] Across Europe, illegal gambling remains a significant concern. The European Parliament has reported that illegal gambling markets take consumers away from legal operations, which undermines the consumer protections and reduces the tax revenues for governments.[12] ## United States In the United States, each state has its own laws regarding the regulation or prohibition of gambling.[4] States that permit such gaming usually have a [gaming control board](/source/Gaming_control_board) established to oversee the regulation of the industry, such as licensing of those employed in the gaming industry. States that permit casinos and similar forms of gaming often have strict zoning regulations to keep such establishments away from schools and residential areas. For more information, see [Gambling in the United States](/source/Gambling_in_the_United_States), [Gambling in New Jersey](/source/Gambling_in_New_Jersey), and [Nevada gaming area](/source/Nevada_gaming_area). ## Ukraine Parliament outlawed gambling in 2009, after a May 2009 fire in a gambling hall in Dnipropetrovsk that killed nine people. The Ukrainian parliament passed the law "On Prohibition of Gambling Business in Ukraine" (Gambling Ban Law) banning gambling business and any participation in gambling in Ukraine on May 15. The President of Ukraine [Viktor Yushchenko](/source/Viktor_Yushchenko) signed the law on June 23 and on June 25 it came into force. The Law On Prohibition of Gambling Business in Ukraine also applied to internet casinos, it did not apply to lotteries. The Parliament legalized gambling again on 14 July 2020, albeit with regulations and age restrictions (minimum age of 22).[13] For more information, see [Gambling in Ukraine](/source/Gambling_in_Ukraine). ## Japan Main article: [Gambling in Japan](/source/Gambling_in_Japan) Gaming (including kinds of lottery) is highly restricted in Japan. [Penal Code of Japan](/source/Penal_Code_of_Japan) 185 - 187 regulates gaming and lottery and the regulation includes casual gaming within peoples. Because of this, there have been no legal casino or some kinds of that. Additionally, illegal gaming is one of the sources of income of the [Yakuza](/source/Yakuza). However, there are some exception such as official gaming (for example, horse racing), Takarakuji lottery and [Pachinko](/source/Pachinko). In 2014, Ghana's ambassador to Japan [Edmond Kofi Agbenutse Deh](/source/Edmond_Kofi_Agbenutse_Deh) was recalled after a casino was raided in a property belonging to the Ghana Embassy. A contract was discovered that detailed the casino's payments of ¥500,000 per month to the Embassy, which had Edmond's name on it. The casino manager, Hiroyuki Yamanoi, was arrested along with nine employees and two customers.[14] For more information, see [Gambling in Japan](/source/Gambling_in_Japan). ## Ireland Since 5 March 2025, the new [Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland](/source/Gambling_Regulatory_Authority_of_Ireland) is operational. The GRAI is responsible for regulating and licensing all gambling providers in Ireland and has wide-ranging powers to regulate both in-person and online gambling, gaming and lotteries, except the National Lottery.[15] When the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 is fully commenced, gambling bodies will need a license to provide certain gambling activities including online gambling in Ireland. There will be licenses for gaming, betting and some lottery activities. There will also be a separate license for gambling for charitable purposes.[16] ## Other jurisdictions - [Gambling Act 2005](/source/Gambling_Act_2005) (UK) - [Gaming Act 1845](/source/Gaming_Act_1845) (UK, repealed) - [Interactive Gambling Act](/source/Interactive_Gambling_Act) 2001 (Australia) - [Macau gaming law](/source/Macau_gaming_law) - [Gaming in Mexico](/source/Gaming_in_Mexico) - [Gaming and lottery law in Japan](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%B3%AD%E5%8D%9A%E5%8F%8A%E3%81%B3%E5%AF%8C%E3%81%8F%E3%81%98%E3%81%AB%E9%96%A2%E3%81%99%E3%82%8B%E7%BD%AA) ## See also - [Casino](/source/Casino) - [Gambling § Religious views](/source/Gambling#Religious_views) - [Online gambling](/source/Online_gambling) - [Organized crime](/source/Organized_crime) - [Problem gambling](/source/Problem_gambling) - [Underground poker](/source/Underground_poker) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Rose, I. Nelson; Owens, Martin D. Jr. (2009). [*Internet Gaming Law*](https://web.archive.org/web/20180219025535/http://www.liebertpub.com/media/content/IGL_02_p11-52.pdf) (PDF) (2 ed.). Mary Ann Leibert, Inc. Publishers. pp. 11–13. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781934854129](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781934854129). Archived from [the original](http://www.liebertpub.com/media/content/IGL_02_p11-52.pdf) (PDF) on 19 February 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2017. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:0_2-3) Rose, I. Nelson (March 2, 1986). *Gambling and the Law*. Gambling Times. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0897460668](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0897460668).{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: date and year ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_date_and_year)) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-usc1955_3-0)** For federal law, see, e.g., ["18 U.S. Code § 1955 - Prohibition of illegal gambling businesses"](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1955). *Legal Information Institute*. Cornell Law School. Retrieved 24 September 2017. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-humphrey_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-humphrey_4-1) Humphrey, Chuck. ["State Gambling Laws"](https://web.archive.org/web/20111007151916/http://www.gambling-law-us.com/State-Laws/). *Gambling Law US*. Archived from [the original](http://www.gambling-law-us.com/State-Laws/) on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Hincer, Illkim (1 November 2016). ["Gaming in Canada: overview"](https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/6-635-9706?transitionType=Default&contextData=(sc.Default)&firstPage=true&bhcp=1). *Practical Law*. Thomson Reuters. Retrieved 24 September 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["EGBA - Home Page"](https://www.egba.eu/). *EGBA*. Retrieved 2026-04-19. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Ukhova, Daria; Marionneau, Virve; Batchelor, Susan; Bunn, Christopher; McIntosh, Emma; O'Connor, Rory; Reith, Gerda; Wardle, Heather (2025-11-12). ["Global Gambling Control Scorecard (GGCS): Dataset. Version 1: November 2025"](https://researchdata.gla.ac.uk/2089/). *researchdata.gla.ac.uk*. Retrieved 2026-04-19. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Schwartz, David G. (2025). ["Nevada Gaming Win 2024"](https://gaming.library.unlv.edu/reports/2024NevadaGamingWin.pdf) (PDF). *UNLV Center for Gaming Research*. Retrieved April 29, 2026.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: url-status ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_url-status)) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Schwartz, David G. (2025). ["Nevada Gaming Revenues 1984-2025"](https://gaming.library.unlv.edu/reports/NV_1984_present.pdf) (PDF). *UNLV Center for Gaming Research*. Retrieved April 29, 2026.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: url-status ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_url-status)) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Ukhova, Daria; Marionneau, Virve; Batchelor, Susan; Bunn, Christopher; McIntosh, Emma; O'Connor, Rory; Reith, Gerda; Wardle, Heather (2025-11-12). ["Global Gambling Control Scorecard (GGCS): Dataset. Version 1: November 2025"](https://researchdata.gla.ac.uk/2089/). *researchdata.gla.ac.uk*. Retrieved 2026-04-29. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_11-1) ["Gambling regulation - Culture, Media and Sport Committee"](https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5804/cmselect/cmcumeds/176/report.html). *publications.parliament.uk*. Retrieved 2026-04-29. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_12-1) CORRAO, Ignazio. ["Parliamentary question | Illegal and legal gambling in Europe: call for Commission to take action following Italy's football betting scandal | E-003299/2023 | European Parliament"](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2023-003299_EN.html). *www.europarl.europa.eu*. Retrieved 2026-04-29. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Ukraine's parliament legalizes gambling"](https://www.unian.info/economics/legislation-ukraine-s-parliament-legalizes-gambling-11073944.html). *www.unian.info*. Retrieved May 1, 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Ambassador Recalled Over Tokyo Gambling Scandal"](https://www.modernghana.com/news/532184/ambassador-recalled-over-tokyo-gambling-scandal.html). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Ireland's New Gambling Regulatory Authority Officially Established"](https://www.mhc.ie/latest/insights/irelands-new-gambling-regulatory-authority-officially-established). *Mason Hayes Curran*. Retrieved 13 May 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["The law on gambling in Ireland"](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/justice/civil-law/the-law-on-gambling-in-ireland/). *www.citizensinformation.ie*. ## External links - [Center for Gaming Research](http://gaming.unlv.edu/) at the [University of Nevada, Las Vegas](/source/University_of_Nevada%2C_Las_Vegas); produces reports, papers, and a monthly update v t e Gambling Gambling terminology Venues Casino List Online casino Prediction market Cardroom Racino Riverboat casino Science Mathematics Gambling mathematics Mathematics of bookmaking Poker probability Strategies Advantage gambling Card counting Dice control Asian handicap Due column betting Labouchère system Martingale By region Africa Angola Nigeria South Africa Asia Bangladesh Cambodia China Hong Kong Macau India Japan Pakistan Philippines Manila Russia Singapore Taiwan Thailand Turkey Vietnam Europe Estonia France Italy Norway Russia Turkey Ukraine United Kingdom North America Mexico United States Canada Quebec Ontario BC Western Canada Atlantic Canada Oceania Australia Tasmania New Zealand South America Brazil Games Casino game Game of chance Game of skill List of bets Issues Gaming law Problem gambling Video game addiction Category Commons Wiktionary WikiProject v t e Law Core subjects Administrative law Civil law Constitutional law Contract Criminal law Crime Deed Doctrine Equity Evidence International law Law of obligations Private law Procedure Civil Criminal Property law Public law Punishment Capital Corporal Restitution and unjust enrichment Statutory law Tort Disciplines Abortion law Agricultural law Animal law Aviation law Amnesty law Banking law Bankruptcy Commercial law Competition law Conflict of laws Construction law Consumer protection Corporate law Cyberlaw Drugs law Election law Energy law Entertainment law Environmental law Family law Financial law Financial regulation Health law public health global health Immigration law Intellectual property International criminal law International labour law International human rights International slavery laws International trade law Jurimetrics Labour Landlord–tenant law Law of war Legal archaeology Legal fiction Maritime law Marriage law Military law Music law Nationality law Probate Estate Will and testament Product liability Public international law Refugee law Space law Sports law State of emergency Tax law Transport law Trust law Unenforced law Sources of law Charter Legal code / Statutory law Constitution Custom Divine law Divine right Human rights Legitimacy Letters patent Man-made law Natural law Natural and legal rights Case law Precedent Law reports Legal treatise Regulations Law making Ballot measure Codification Decree Edict Executive order Proclamation Legislation Delegated legislation Regulation Reform Rulemaking Promulgation Ratification Repeal Treaty Concordat Statutory law Statute Act of parliament Act of Congress Basic structure doctrine Legal systems Civil law Common law Chinese law Legal pluralism Religious law Canon law Catholic canon law Hindu law Jain law Jewish law Parsi law Sharia Roman law Byzantine law Socialist law Statutory law Xeer Yassa Legal theory Anarchist Contract theory Comparative law Expressive function Feminist Law and economics Legal ethics Legal formalism History Libertarian International legal theory Principle of legality Principle of typicality Pseudolaw Rule of law Rule of man Sociology Jurisprudence Adjudication Administration of justice Admission to practice law Constitutionalism Criminal justice Court-martial Disbarment Dispute resolution Fiqh Lawsuit/Litigation Legal opinion Legal remedy Damages Deterrence (penology) Proportionality Reparations Legal status Judge Justice of the peace Magistrate Judgment Judicial activism Judicial interpretation Judicial misconduct Kangaroo court Judicial review Jurisdiction Jury Justice Practice of law Attorney Barrister Counsel Lawyer Legal representation Prosecutor Solicitor Question of fact Question of law Trial Trial advocacy Trier of fact Ultra vires Verdict Legal institutions Barristers' chambers Bureaucracy The bar The bench Civil society Court Ecclesiastical Court of equity Election commission Executive Judiciary Law enforcement Agency Legal education Law school Legal industry by country Legislature Military Police Political party Tribunal History History of the legal profession History of the American legal profession Women in law Law portal Category Index Outline --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Gaming law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaming_law) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaming_law?action=history)). 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