The global sports betting market continues to expand, becoming one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world. According to Statista, an organization specializing in online gambling statistics, the industry is expected to grow in terms of player participation, revenue, and other key metrics. Statista projects that the sector will generate $49.96 billion in revenue by 2024.
With the possibility of achieving nearly $50 billion in revenue, knowing the legal places to bet is important. According to Odds Matrix, which delivers real-time betting odds and scores, sports betting is legal in:
- United States
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- France
- Italy
- Argentina
- Africa
- Nigeria
- Kenya
- India
- The Philippines
- Australia
Region-Wise Legal Status of Sports Betting
Below are some of the major regions where sports betting is possible. As sports betting is not legal in every location, it will also tell you if it makes sense to create a betting model or a sports betting strategy in certain places.
Europe
Europe has one of the biggest sports betting markets in the world. With a big love for soccer, Europeans are often found betting on soccer and getting in on the action.
Odds Matrix explained that sports betting legislation differs from country to country as no law covers all of Europe. For example, Kosovo recently banned all kinds of gambling after two people were killed over a gambling conflict. However, soccer picks, parlays, promos, and single bets are available in large parts of Europe.
Online sports betting is legal in most European countries, allowing people to bet on sports from home. According to the European Online Gambling Key Figures of 2022, 225 online gambling and sports betting licenses are active in Europe.
Sports betting will likely continue growing in Europe as more people bet on it. It is legal in most areas, which also helps grow revenue and leads to the increasing popularity of online gaming.
North America
North America has the biggest online gambling market in the world. Statista expects it to reach a revenue of $29.94 billion by 2024. With all of the major sports that are in the United States, North America will continue to rise.
Betting is not legalized in every state in the United States, but many are hopeful that it will change in the near future. Gambling and sports betting, in general, bring a huge amount of money to each state, and at some point, that should take control of legalizing it in every state.
Alabama, Alaska, California, Georgia, and other states don’t allow sports betting in the United States. On the other hand, New York, New Jersey, Nevada, and Michigan are some prominent betting locations in the USA.
With the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, e-sports betting, and college sports all with massive sizes of fans, sports betting in North America is truly just getting started. Those sports have the most popular bets for sports bettors in America. Live betting is also a popular way, meaning another way for gamblers to make money.
Enthusiasts of North American sports betting are enticed by attractive offers, including free bets that enhance the betting experience. The industry also contributes to economic growth by creating jobs in sports betting, from analytical roles to customer service. What’s more, with some of the most competitive odds globally, bettors in America are well-positioned to maximize their wagers across a variety of sports.
Asia-Pacific
According to Global Data, the market for sports betting in the Asia-Pacific region reached a value of $21 billion as recently as 2021.
Global data says the key markets for sports betting are Singapore and South Korea. There are restrictions in Asia, but some places do allow sports betting. Thailand doesn’t allow sports betting except for horse racing and the government-sponsored Thai lottery, with the prohibition dating back to the Gambling Act, which was adopted in 1935.
Africa
UMN says that the easing of laws and regulations in the United States helped places in Africa legalize sports betting. The success they saw in America and the ability to use those tools allowed Africa to create a safe betting space.
Although Africa is said to be a step behind other parts of the world regarding sports betting, it is becoming increasingly popular. Accessibility to websites and apps was a problem for people in Africa at times, but technological advancements are believed to have helped, with Africa now having multiple online sports books.
Telecomasia says that betting sites and operations across Africa are regulated by country-specific regional bodies, adhering to local laws designed for the industry. It also says that the betting industry is valued at $40 billion and will likely grow in the coming years, driven by technological advancements and increasing legal frameworks.
South America
The sports betting market in South America stands out from its global counterparts. This is because of its unique regulatory environments across different countries.
There are strict regulations in certain parts of South America and each country has different legislation to regulate sports betting, affecting market dynamics.
According to Vixio, however, the market is set to quadruple in size and reach $6.75 billion in revenue by 2027. They believe this is because new regulations and several key jurisdictions are expected in certain regions. Brazil, Peru, and Chile are expected to launch licensing for online sports betting, which should also raise the market value.
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Country-Specific Analysis of Sports Betting Laws
Below are specific country betting analyses of sports betting laws.
United Kingdom
There is a massive sports betting market in the United Kingdom. With access to most of the popular sports from the United States and the biggest soccer market in the world, there is a lot of money to make in the United Kingdom for sports betting.
The Gambling Act 2005 sets out the gambling age in the United Kingdom. It is illegal for any person under 18 to enter a gambling premises. Gambling has been legal in the United Kingdom since 2005 and has seen major growth since then.
United States
The United States has the biggest sports betting market, and that will continue as more states legalize sports betting. According to Forbes, 38 states legalized sports betting as of January 8, 2024. Certain states have stricter laws, but with 38 states now legalizing sports betting, this should only continue to grow.
California is the next big state in the United States to legalize sports betting. Currently, people in California can gamble at tribal casinos and race tracks but not on sports.
While currently unlikely, it is incredible to think about the potential they can legalize sports betting. However, there is currently no timeline for the decision.
With Las Vegas, the United States has been a staple in the gambling world for a very long time. That has a 0% chance of changing anytime soon.
Australia
Australia is strictly regular and subject to licensing. The rules vary depending on where they operate, but they are said to be extremely strict. Each area has different rules, and anyone looking to enter the market should check the local regulations.
According to Statista, the gambling industry contributed around 420 million Australian dollars to the economy in 2022. It is a growing area right now, but not as big as some other places worldwide. Statista also says that wagering on electronic machines is popular in Australia.
Canada
Canada has seen insane growth in the industry throughout the past few years. With hockey, soccer, NBA and more, Canadian bettors have plenty of options.
Each province in Canada has its own rules, making it tricky in certain parts. However, it is growing and should continue to do so, as it is expected to bring in massive revenue – $0.99 billion by 2024.
Ontario is an example of a province in Canda with different rules and regulations. The province has 30 licenses for online sportsbooks and their advertising rules limit the use of athletes and celebrities. Other provinces have a more liberal approach to sports betting, leading to more options for bettors.
South Africa
According to SABC Sport, the National Gambling Act of 2004 regulated all forms of gambling in South Africa, including online betting. The Act also states that all forms of interactive gambling are illegal except for sports betting.
It is a fast-growing market, and South Africa’s licensed betting and gaming operators saw a 41% increase in the first half of 2023, according to Gaming Intelligence. The ability to gamble safely on a mobile device played a big part in these numbers.
Other Key Countries
Some of the other top countries that allow sports betting include:
- Russia
- Spain
- Macao
- Brazil
- Nigeria
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Economic Impact and Market Trends in Sports Betting
The economic impact and market trends in sports betting go hand in hand. Sports betting can help the economy in many different ways, as seen by how much money is being bet. According to the American Gaming Association, New York had nearly $1.7 billion in revenue in 2023, a big chunk of the $65.52 billion in 2023 revenue. This all helps with taxes in most places.
New Jersey wasn’t much further behind, with about $1 billion in sports betting revenue.
This is why the future of sports betting is as high as any other market in the world. Other states will start to understand that this is a guaranteed money-maker and legalize it at some point. However, this could be a lengthy process due to political and ethical considerations.
Legal Challenges and Regulatory Frameworks
Legal challenges and regulatory frameworks differ in each individual state and country. Fees, government issues, and unethical practices are just some of the issues that exist in many places.
In America, taking away from tribal casinos is also an issue. Many states don’t want to allow online sports betting as it detracts income from the tribes.
Other concerns in sports betting around the world involve mobile and online betting. This causes issues in terms of verification of where people are and safety. When sports betting first became a thing online, it was a scary time, as many didn’t feel safe when they were betting. In some cases, people even had to use Bitcoin to deposit, as only Bitcoins were accepted on certain websites.
However, the betting industry has adapted and does whatever it can to keep people’s information private and betting a safe activity.
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Ethical and Social Considerations in Sports Betting
Sports betting presents several ethical and social considerations. For example, certain religions and countries, such as Islam and the Protestant church, have a negative view of sports betting due to moral beliefs. This is often connected with concerns about gambling addiction, which poses significant ethical dilemmas.
Addiction can lead to unethical practices in regions where social values and legal frameworks prioritize public welfare over gambling activities.
The impact of sports betting on communities is multifaceted. On the one hand, it can stimulate growth and generate revenue. On the other hand, it also has the potential to exacerbate social issues, including increased crime rates and the exploitation of vulnerable groups.
The betting industry has recognized these challenges and implemented measures to promote responsible gambling, such as self-exclusion programs, betting limits, and awareness campaigns aimed at preventing addictive behaviours.
This way, the betting companies try to balance the economic benefits of sports betting with the need to protect individuals and communities from its potential harms.
Future of Online Sports Betting: Predictions and Trends
The future of sports betting is almost impossible to predict. With all the growth it has seen throughout the past few years, it is only the beginning of what this industry can become.
Some trends we have seen are insane growth in revenue and an ever-increasing number of people gambling, hinting at the expansive reach of sports betting online.
As sports betting becomes legal in more states across America and other countries worldwide, we can expect a major change in the betting world’s future.
Sports betting is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, and at this point, it does not look like it will slow down anytime soon. This is driven by the allure of potential winnings, entertainment value, and diverse offerings that cater to fans of various games.
With the rapid development and numerous changes in the sports betting world, it is important to remember that you should enjoy yourself and do this as an activity to enjoy the games. It is important to remember that sports betting is a way of having fun and should never be taken too far. If you ever believe that you do have a problem, it is best to get help.
Right now, sports betting online is in a great place moving forward. Perhaps one day, sports betting around the world will be legal, and everyone will have the opportunity to win.
