In some countries in the world, all forms of gambling are illegal while in others, restrictions to gambling apply only to certain types. The reasons why some countries opt to ban all or only specific gambling activities are numerous. However, it is possible to classify these countries into four main categories by way of the principal reason behind the banning of gambling. These categories are:

  1. Countries in which gambling is prohibited by religious law
  2. Countries in which gambling problem is a significant concern hence a ban deemed necessary
  3. Countries in which the regime in power has a monopoly over gambling
  4. Countries in which association with criminal elements have made gambling illegal

Weshall look at all four categories in the order given above.

When engaging in various types of gambling, the individual must understand what the state defines as legal and illegal to prevent possible charges or conviction for illegal activity in the state. Some states define certain activities as illegal because of the use of the internet while others will consider amateur gambling at home as illegal. Some types of gambling are illegal in Louisiana the following: Underage gambling. These kinds of gambling are illegal and it is unlawful for anyone under the age of 21 to play video poker devices or to gamble in a casino. Gambling in Louisiana is also unlawful for anyone under the age of 18 to participate in the state lottery or in horse track.

Countries in Which Religious Law prohibits gambling

Gambling, be it racing or slot machines, is managed at the state level. In the state, some (but not all) types of gambling are illegal. Casino gambling is not the only type of gambling that exists, as it is only a type of gambling provided for in national law. There are many different ways to gamble. Gambling can be a bit of fun, but if it becomes compulsive or involves significant loss of money or property, it is considered an addiction and a mental health problem. After diagnosis, treatment. They are more likely to illegally fix bets, and they are occupied with the illegal side of gambling. This type of gambler may have a history of unlawful behaviour and is characterised by deceitfulness, manipulation, lack of remorse, glib charm, impulsivity, irritability and aggressiveness. Casual Social Gamblers bet infrequently.

Countriesthat fall in this category tend to have Islam as the main religion.As a general rule, all forms of gambling are banned in all Islamiccountries. The premise to this outcome is the Quran, the principlereligious writ of the Muslim world. There are essentially threereferences in the Quran that specifically refer to Gambling. Allthree instances are parts of conversations between Mohammed and hisfollowers.

Inthe first instance, Mohammed is asked about his views regardingalcohol and gambling. The prophet asserts that despite beingperceived as beneficial by most, alcohol and gambling have sin thatis greater than their benefit. In the second instance, Mohammedcondemns gambling together with all forms of divination as ways ofrevering the forces of chance rather than reverence for God. Thethird instance, the prophet implies that gambling causes one to spendon chance, what one should use in meeting basic needs.

Itis upon these three teachings that the laws against engaging ingambling are founded. Let us look at some Islamic countries that havebanned all forms of gambling.

UnitedArab Emirates

Inthe UAE, all forms of gambling are declared illegal by the countriesarticle 414 of the penal code. The regulation prohibits all casinocard and table games and types of lottery gaming. It also prohibitsall betting on horse racing events, all sports betting, all slotmachine games and all other games involving chance.

Thelaw also applies to online gambling while within the territory of theEmirates. However, you would still be able to access online gamblingsites while within the UAE, which means you can gamble. The problemarises if you get caught as you will then be required to pay a heftyfine.

Illegal Gambling Types

Justdon’t get caught engaging in the other forms of gambling such aspoker or other card game. If convicted, you might find yourselfserving a prison term of up to two years. In the UAE, the localsstrictly believe that all money a person earns should be throughhonest intent and effort. Not on chance as doing so is akin tocommitting an act of deceit.

Brunei

Bruneiis yet another country in which anti-gambling laws are strictlyenforced. Islamic Sharia law, the governing law in the predominantlyMuslim nation, prohibits participation in all form of gambling. Theimplications are that while you are in this South Asian country:-

  • You cannot engage in any casino card games or table
  • You cannot wager on any sporting activity
  • You cannot buy lottery tickets
  • You cannot use slot machines
  • You cannot gamble online

Breakingany one of the numerous gambling restrictions will see you paying afine of up to $12,000 or serving a term of up to 7 months in prison.So if you find yourself in Brunei, avoid the urge to log onto yourfavourite gambling site the whole time you are there.

Qatar

Asis the norm with most Muslim countries, all forms of gambling in thiscountry are illegal. However, despite the somewhat strict enforcementof gambling laws within significant cities, laws are lax in the wild,desolate landscapes away from urban areas. It is here that localshold the infamous Qatari camel races which are part of an age-oldtradition.

Whilein Qatar, feel free to attend these races but do remember that allsports betting is illegal in Qatar. If you get caught making wagers,you might end up serving a year in Qatari jail. Alternatively, stayin your hotel room and gamble online. That way you won’t get caughtgambling.

Countriesin which gambling problem is a significant concern

Why Is Gambling Illegal

In countries where gambling problem is the main reason for banningall gambling activity, the governments in those countries usuallyexempt foreigners from the ban. In these countries, it is only thelocal civilian population who are affected by regulations targetinggambling. In most cases, gambling turns out to have been legal beforethe ban. Let us look at a few countries where gambling has beenbanned due to the social issue o f gambling problem.

Cambodia

Gamblingin Cambodia had been legal for a long time before a succeeding regimemade efforts to curb the social vice of gambling problem. The attemptto resolve the problem of gambling addiction led to the creation oflaws that prohibited Cambodians from engaging in all forms ofgambling. This law banned all types of card and table gambling games,slot machines, cockfighting, dogfighting and all kinds of sportsbetting.

However,the government has given licenses to 5 ticket lottery establishmentsbecause the lotteries make a net positive contribution to communityprojects in the country. If you plan on visiting Cambodia, then youshould note that gambling is allowed on casinos catering exclusivelyto tourists.

Japan

Itmight come as a surprise, but Japan once had a severe gamblingproblem before restrictions were introduced to reign in gambling.Japanese laws against gambling banned all forms of gambling excepttraditional Pachinko.

Illegal gambling cases

Lately,amendments have been made to allow for the return of horse racing asa legal betting and sporting event. The government has also begungranting licenses to full-featured casinos catering exclusively totourists. As a tourist, you will have access to all manner ofgambling activity ranging from casino card and table games, slotmachines, video lottery betting terminals and pari-mutuel betting

Singapore

Singaporeis yet another country that decided to enact laws to govern a nagginggambling problem problem. The country’s government passed the PrivateLottery Act which prohibits all forms of gambling within the countryexcept for a few government-operated lotteries.

Illegal Gambling Types Crossword Clue

Thereare only three gambling operators in Singapore. Other than thegambling activities provided by these three operators, all otherland-based gambling is illegal in Singapore.

Countriesin which the regime in power has a monopoly over gambling

Insome countries, the ruling regimes might ban gambling so that thegovernment can establish a monopoly in the gambling industry. Theimmense revenue-generating ability of the gambling industry tends tobe the prime reason why a government desire for a gambling monopoly.Examples of such countries follow below.

NorthKorea

NorthKoreans are explicitly banned from all forms of gambling. Hence nocard and table games, no slot machines, no lotteries, no sportsbetting or other types of betting for the ordinary Korean. However,gambling is allowed on government-operated tourist-centricestablishment found in the country’s capital. There is only onetourist casino in Pyongyang that caters to top government officialsand tourists.

Countriesin which association with criminal elements have made gamblingillegal

Russia

Gamblinghad been associated with several large criminal organizations withinthe country for some time. This situation prompted the succeedingregime to enact laws to restrict gambling to only four regions in theentire country. This approach enabled the government to set up strictmonitoring and control over these regions, hence curb all criminalactivity related to gambling. These regions are Altai Krai, KrasnodarKrai, Kaliningrad Oblast and Primorsky Krai. Gambling is illegal overthe rest of Russia.

Types Of Illegal Gambling

Conclusion

Onlinegambling poses a significant challenge in many countries that declaregambling to be illegal. Why so? Because implementing such a ban wouldrequire substantial technology infrastructure in addition to anelaborate policy framework. It is also worth noting that Islam doesnot condemn participation in competitions and sports in which winningdepends on individual effort and skill. What Islam opposes is theplacing of wagers in-relation to such tournaments or sporting events.