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Dataset

Online gambling regulation by market

Whether online casino gambling is licensed, run by the state, in transition or prohibited in each market we cover, with the law behind it, the regulator and the date the market opened. Each row restates a sourced Casino Capybara market guide.

Version
Records
11
Licence
CC BY 4.0
Download CSVDownload JSON
Markets
11
With licensed private operators
5
Regulatory bodies named
11
Without a licensed private market
6

At a glance

Licensing status of online casino gambling by market
MarketStatusLegal basisOnline market since
Canada: OntarioLicensed market openProvincial conduct-and-manage modelApril 2022
Canada: AlbertaLicensed market openiGaming Alberta Act13 July 2026
ColombiaLicensed market openAcuerdo 04 de 2016 (Coljuegos)June 2017
PeruLicensed market openLey N.º 31557 (2022)February 2024
ArgentinaLicensed by provinceConstitución Nacional, Art. 121 (provincial power)–
MexicoFederal permit systemLey Federal de Juegos y Sorteos (1947); Reglamento (2004)–
Canada: other provincesGovernment platform onlyProvincial government monopolies–
FinlandLicensing in transitionGambling Act, confirmed 16 January 2026Licensed competition from 1 July 2027
ChileNo online licensing lawCódigo Penal, Arts. 277–279 (default prohibition)–
JapanProhibitedPenal Code, Arts. 185–187–
BrazilBanned by provisional measureMP 1.394/2026 (25 Sep 2026)1 January 2025

Market by market

Brazil

Banned by provisional measure
Legal basis
MP 1.394/2026 (25 Sep 2026)
Online since
1 January 2025
Regulator
SPA/MF

Decree-Law 9.215 of 30 April 1946 prohibited the practice or exploitation of games of chance across the national territory. Lei 14.790/2023 created a federal licensing regime under the Secretaria de Prêmios e Apostas (SPA), and the regulated market went live on 1 January 2025. Medida Provisória 1.394/2026, published on 25 September 2026, now prohibits fixed-odds betting nationwide, online casino games included, and bars new authorisations. Players could withdraw their balances until 23:59 on 5 October 2026, and from 6 October 2026 betting sites and apps must be unavailable (Ministry of Finance timeline). Authorisations granted under Lei 14.790/2023 end 30 days after publication on 25 September 2026 (art. 4). A provisional measure lapses unless Congress converts it into law within 60 days, extendable once by 60 (Constitution, art. 62), so the ban is not yet permanent. The Chamber of Deputies’ legislation database records no express revocation of the 1946 decree (read on 9 November 2026).

Sources The History of Gambling Law in Brazil · Medida Provisória 1.394/2026 (Planalto) · Ministério da Fazenda (SPA): MP 1.394/2026 timeline · Constitution, art. 62 (Planalto) · Lei 14.790/2023 (Planalto) · Decreto-Lei 9.215/1946 (Câmara dos Deputados legislation database) · SPA list of authorised companies

Operator licences recorded for this market

Timeline

Legality map

On the site Brazil legal status (Português) · Brazil legal status (English)

KYC & age-verification rules

Canada: Ontario

Licensed market open
Legal basis
Provincial conduct-and-manage model
Online since
April 2022
Regulator
AGCO / iGaming Ontario

Ontario opened Canada’s first competitive, privately operated online casino market in April 2022. The AGCO regulates it and iGaming Ontario conducts and manages it. The minimum age is 19.

Sources Canada Online Gambling & iGaming Data + Provincial Legality Tracker (2026) · Are Online Casinos Legal in Canada? Federal and Provincial Rules · iGaming Ontario operator list

Operator licences recorded for this market

Timeline

Legality map

On the site Canada casino guide (English) · Canada casino guide (Français) · Canada top casinos (English) · Canada top casinos (Français)

KYC & age-verification rules

Canada: Alberta

Licensed market open
Legal basis
iGaming Alberta Act
Online since
13 July 2026
Regulator
AGLC, Alberta iGaming Corporation

Alberta became Canada’s second open market on 13 July 2026, under the iGaming Alberta Act. AGLC regulates it and the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) conducts and manages it; 22 operator sites were live at launch. The minimum age is 18.

Sources Canada Online Gambling & iGaming Data + Provincial Legality Tracker (2026) · AGLC iGaming

Operator licences recorded for this market

Timeline

Legality map

On the site Canada casino guide (English) · Canada casino guide (Français) · Canada top casinos (English) · Canada top casinos (Français)

KYC & age-verification rules

Canada: other provinces

Government platform only
Legal basis
Provincial government monopolies
Online since
No licensed online market
Regulator
None for online casinos

Every other province runs a single government-owned online platform (for example BCLC’s PlayNow and Loto-Québec’s EspaceJeux), and the territories have no dedicated regulated platform.

Sources Canada Online Gambling & iGaming Data + Provincial Legality Tracker (2026) · The History of Gambling Law in Canada · PlayNow (BCLC)

Operator licences recorded for this market

Timeline

On the site Canada casino guide (English) · Canada casino guide (Français) · Canada top casinos (English) · Canada top casinos (Français)

KYC & age-verification rules

Colombia

Licensed market open
Legal basis
Acuerdo 04 de 2016 (Coljuegos)
Online since
June 2017
Regulator
Coljuegos

Colombia was the first Latin American country with a complete legal framework for online gambling and licensed its first online operator in June 2017. Gambling is a state fiscal monopoly, and Coljuegos lists 15 authorised online operators in 2026.

Sources The History of Gambling in Colombia · Coljuegos: the 15 authorised operators

Operator licences recorded for this market

Timeline

Legality map

On the site Colombia casino guide (Español) · Colombia top casinos (Español)

KYC & age-verification rules

Peru

Licensed market open
Legal basis
Ley N.º 31557 (2022)
Online since
February 2024
Regulator
MINCETUR

Peru left online gambling unregulated until Ley N.º 31557 of August 2022. MINCETUR, the trade and tourism ministry, authorises platforms; formal operations began in February 2024, and around ninety platforms were authorised by mid-2026.

Sources The History of Gambling in Peru · MINCETUR authorised online providers

Operator licences recorded for this market

Timeline

Legality map

On the site Peru casino guide (Español) · Peru casino guide (English) · Peru top casinos (Español) · Peru top casinos (English)

KYC & age-verification rules

Argentina

Licensed by province
Legal basis
Constitución Nacional, Art. 121 (provincial power)
Online since
No licensed online market
Regulator
LOTBA, IPLyC PBA, IPJyC Mendoza, Lotería de Córdoba

Argentina has no national gambling law. Each of its 24 jurisdictions licenses its own operators, and a licence from one (for example the City of Buenos Aires) authorises nothing in another.

Sources The History of Gambling in Argentina · LOTBA: legal online gaming

Operator licences recorded for this market

Timeline

Legality map

On the site Argentina casino guide (Español) · Argentina top casinos (Español)

KYC & age-verification rules

Mexico

Federal permit system
Legal basis
Ley Federal de Juegos y Sorteos (1947); Reglamento (2004)
Online since
No licensed online market
Regulator
SEGOB / DGJS

Mexico’s 1947 federal law bans games of chance except a named list. Casino operations run under SEGOB permits issued since the 2004 regulation. A November 2023 decree curbing new slot-machine permits awaits a Supreme Court ruling.

Sources The History of Gambling in Mexico · SEGOB

Operator licences recorded for this market

Timeline

Legality map

On the site Mexico casino guide (Español) · Mexico casino guide (English) · Mexico top casinos (Español) · Mexico top casinos (English)

KYC & age-verification rules

Finland

Licensing in transition
Legal basis
Gambling Act, confirmed 16 January 2026
Online since
Licensed competition from 1 July 2027
Regulator
None for online casinos

Finland is ending the Veikkaus monopoly for betting and online casino games. Private operators can apply for licences from 1 March 2026 and licensed competition begins on 1 July 2027, supervised first by the National Police Board and then by the new Lupa- ja valvontavirasto.

Sources The History of Gambling in Finland · Police of Finland: licences under the Gambling Act

Operator licences recorded for this market

Timeline

Legality map

On the site Finland legal status (Suomi) · Finland top casinos (Suomi)

KYC & age-verification rules

Chile

No online licensing law
Legal basis
Código Penal, Arts. 277–279 (default prohibition)
Online since
No licensed online market
Regulator
None for online casinos

Chile’s Penal Code (Arts. 275 to 279) punishes lotteries not authorised by law, and the running of and attendance at gaming houses of chance. The Supreme Court has twice ordered internet providers to block online sports-betting sites that operate without legal authorisation: on 12 September 2023 (rol 152.138-2022, one provider, Mundo Pacífico) and on 29 September 2025 (rol 18.080-2025), where the Third Chamber held that online games of chance may be run only by those the law authorises (rulings published by the Poder Judicial).

Sources The History of Gambling in Chile · Código Penal, Arts. 275–279 (Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional) · Poder Judicial: Supreme Court ruling of 12 September 2023 (rol 152.138-2022) · Poder Judicial: Supreme Court ruling of 29 September 2025 (rol 18.080-2025)

Operator licences recorded for this market

Timeline

Legality map

On the site Chile casino guide (Español) · Chile top casinos (Español)

KYC & age-verification rules

Japan

Prohibited
Legal basis
Penal Code, Arts. 185–187
Online since
No licensed online market
Regulator
None for online casinos

Japan’s Penal Code prohibits gambling outside licensed exceptions such as public-sports betting and the state lottery. The National Police Agency states that gambling by connecting from within Japan is a crime even if the online casino is operated legally overseas (read on 8 November 2026). A 2025 amendment to the Basic Act on Gambling Addiction Countermeasures, in force since 25 September 2025, bars presenting to people in Japan a website or program that offers a place for online gambling carried on in Japan in a way the law prohibits, or steering them to such gambling (Article 9-2).

Sources The History of Gambling in Japan · National Police Agency: gambling using online casinos is a crime · e-Gov Law Search: Basic Act on Gambling Addiction Countermeasures

Operator licences recorded for this market

Timeline

Legality map

On the site Japan casino guide (日本語) · Japan top casinos (日本語)

KYC & age-verification rules

Status definitions

Licensed market open
Private operators can be licensed or authorised to offer online casino games to players in the market.
Licensed by province
There is no national regime; each province or city licenses operators for its own territory only.
Federal permit system
Casino operations run under federal permits rather than a dedicated online licensing law.
Government platform only
Online casino games are offered only through a government-owned platform.
Licensing in transition
A licensing law has passed but licensed competition has not started yet.
No online licensing law
No law provides for licensing online casinos; offshore sites operate without a local licence.
Prohibited
Online casino gambling is a criminal offence for players and operators.
Banned by provisional measure
A provisional measure, issued by the executive and not yet confirmed by the legislature, prohibits offering online casino gambling and ends existing licences. It lapses unless the legislature converts it into law.

Cite this dataset

Casino Capybara Research (2026). Online gambling regulation by market [Data set]. Version 2026-11-09. https://casinocapybara.com/data/gambling-markets/. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

You may copy, adapt and republish this data for any purpose, including commercially, as long as you credit Casino Capybara Research and link to this page.

Update history

  1. — CC-5377: Chile summary corrected: the two Supreme Court rulings are now dated 29 September 2025 (rol 18.080-2025) and 12 September 2023 (rol 152.138-2022), from the ruling documents on pjud.cl; the earlier text used the press-release date of 30 September 2025. Chile sources now link the two ruling documents. Canada: other provinces: a sentence about offshore operators in Quebec was cut (no primary source). No status, legal basis or row count changed.
  2. — CC-60298: Brazil and Chile summaries reworded after a primary-source check on 9 November 2026. Brazil: the 1946 ban is now stated from the text of Decree-Law 9.215 (games of chance across the national territory) with the Chamber of Deputies record that no express revocation is listed; the sentence about physical casinos and bingo halls was cut. Chile: the summary now states Articles 275 to 279 of the Código Penal and the two Supreme Court rulings (rol 152.138-2022 and rol 18.080-2025) from the Poder Judicial press releases; the claims that no statute covers online casinos and that a licensing bill has been before Congress since 2022 were cut. Four source links were added. No status, legal basis or row count changed.
  3. — CC-5363: Japan summary reworded: the dating of the criminal treatment of online-casino betting to a court ruling (no primary source found) and the description of the 2025 amendment as creating a criminal offence for advertising (the Act's text contains no penalty provision) are replaced by the National Police Agency's published position, read on 8 November 2026, and by what Article 9-2 of the Basic Act on Gambling Addiction Countermeasures bars (in force 25 September 2025). No status or legal basis changed; two source links added (the National Police Agency page and the e-Gov record of the Basic Act).
  4. — Brazil corrected from Licensed market open to Banned by provisional measure (new status value) after Medida Provisória 1.394/2026 (DOU, 25 September 2026): fixed-odds betting and online casino games banned nationwide; authorisations end 30 days after publication (art. 4); sites and apps unavailable from 6 October 2026 per the Ministry of Finance (SPA) timeline. The ban is provisional until Congress converts it.
  5. — First published: 11 market rows compiled from Casino Capybara market guides.

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