In Which European Countries are Casinos Fully Permitted?

Meta Description: Many people regard Europe as the gambling hub of the world. But not all of its nations fully permit it. This write-up provides you with information on EU countries that allow such activities and more.

Which European Countries are Casinos Fully Permitted?

Contrary to many people's beliefs, the European Union doesn't owe a total monopoly over its constituent countries' laws. They do draw up general legislations to some extent, but member nations are still responsible and have the power to create theirs. The gambling sector is one such area where EU countries have autonomy in drafting laws. This setup is why you'll observe that not all EU countries fully permit gambling among their citizens or residents.

The subsequent sections reveal information on European countries that fully permit casino activities, and how residents residing in regions that don't can still get in on the fun.

European Countries Permitting Gambling Fully

Switzerland

The Swiss Federal Casino Commission handles the regulation of gambling operations in Switzerland. Only licensed websites are available to its citizens, with the government blocking access to IP addresses of unlicensed sites. Switzerland's laws are of two categories, the state (cantonal) and the federal. Players can play at the best European casinos, indulging in games such as poker, slots, roulette, and more.

Spain

When looking for an EU country with some of the most progressive gambling laws, Spain is often many gamblers pick. Operators can obtain a license from the Spanish National Gaming Commission if they meet its requirements. If they do, such an establishment joins the league of Legal casinos in EU states and can offer gamblers access to all games, including those involving jackpot.

UK

The United Kingdom offers some of the best gambling experiences, with multiple online casinos available to its citizens. It's completely legal to play games here, and you can visit the best UK casinos with a click of a button. Multiple operators are available to UK residents, and often it can be challenging to find the perfect fit. You can eliminate the need for trial and error, and zero in on the right option using information from the best casino review service.

The UK permits casinos fully with the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, its regulating body. Players can gamble online or with more traditional operators with the only restrictions on wagering limits. The UKGC works with casinos to ensure a safe and fair gambling environment, having the latter have various tools to help players control their spending on the platform.

Italy

Italy is one of Europe's most liberal nations concerning gambling operations. It's been legal for citizens and residents to gamble on online casinos since 2006, with less restrictions to its rules coming in 2011. Gamblers don't shoulder the burden of taxes even on free spins and jackpot wins; instead, casinos take up these charges.

Sweden

For many years it was illegal to gamble in private casinos. Every gambling activity was exclusively the right of the state-owned Svenska Spel. But recently, its laws have changed, allowing for more progressive and liberal legislation. The market is now open to some of the best European casinos, with citizens able to indulge in sports betting or play popular games such as roulette, poker, slots, and more.

Netherlands

The government had a monopoly on all gambling activities in the Netherland until the passing of the Remote Gaming Bill by the senate. 2020 saw foreign operators join the pre-existing Holland Casino to offer Dutch players a wide variety of games, including slots, poker, and sports betting. Taxes on these websites are some of the highest across the EU and online websites pay as much as 29% on revenue, excluding other levies.

Why are there Restrictions on Casinos in Europe?

Player Protection

European governments look to protect gamblers and maintain a balanced power dynamic between players and operators. Many regulatory bodies have the latter sign-up and support anti-ambling programs, which help exclude individuals from gambling. In the UK, every online casino with a UKGC license is also a member of the Gamestop program. Restrictions on operators often include game bans, wager limits, heavy taxes, and fines, and clampdowns on advertising.

Prevent Money Laundering

These restrictions also help curtail money laundering practices. Many people can use online casino platforms in the private sector to launder cash, declaring winnings as legitimate. Regulatory bodies work with operators to prevent such practices, often implementing wagering requirements to deposit bonuses and free spins.

Social and Political Reasons

Religious, political, and social factors can also lead to the restriction or banning of gambling platforms in an EU country.

How to Get around a Gambling Ban in Your Country

Some European countries offer restricted gambling access, with players only able to play sports betting, horse racing, or a few casino games. These regions don't permit such activities completely, often limiting them to only state-owned establishments or banning them outrightly, as is the scenario with Russia and the Czech Republic.

But players can still get around such a dilemma. Many individuals use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access online casinos in countries with a gambling ban or restriction. These apps allow you to bypass the geo-locking feature platforms utilize to restrict access to residents from restricted areas. It achieves this feat by masking your location.

It isn't illegal to use a VPN in most EU nations except Russia. Here, utilizing such software is deemed a criminal offense and could incur penalties.

Final Thoughts

Gambling is permitted in most of Europe with Spain, the UK, Italy, the Netherland, and more, granting its citizens and residents full access to the industry's offerings. Qualifying as one of the Legal casinos in EU states means having a license from the operating country and adhering to its regulations. For players residing in restricted areas, a VPN can aid in getting around blocks.