Slots are some of the most-played casino games in the world and the number of players is rising by the day. This is mainly due to the fact that slots are so accessible and convenient. Online casinos such as Free Slot Sites have made it possible for players to play their favorite slot games on smartphones, tablets and laptops; all they need is an internet connection.
Due to this immense growth it has become clear that regulations and laws regarding slots and online slots are more important than ever. However, the gambling industry is anything but uniform. In fact, regulations and laws regarding gambling differ not only from country to country, but sometimes also from state to state. Keep reading for a brief break-down of slot regulations and laws across the world.
US Slot Laws and Regulations
The United States federal law regards gambling as legal. However, there are some restrictions regarding online and interstate gambling practices. Additionally, each state in the country has the authority to regulate gambling within its borders. In most states, residents are not prohibited from playing slots online.
The US slot regulations and laws also impose restrictions on the private ownership of slot machines in the US. In Alaska, Arkansas, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia all privately-owned slot machines are legal. On the other hand, privately owned slots in the states Connecticut, Hawaii, Nebraska, South Carolina, and Tennessee are prohibited. The rest of the states are subject to more specific laws pertaining to owning private slots.
UK Slot Laws and Regulations
All casino games in the UK (whether they are online or land-based) are regulated by The Gambling Commission of Great Britain. In the UK gamblers have to be over the age of 18. This also applies to slot players. Additionally, slot operators or online casinos that offer slots must have a license in order to operate or even advertise their services in the UK.
Brazil
As hard as it might be to believe, there are still some countries where slot games are illegal, and Brazil is one of them. Nonetheless, the laws do not explicitly prevent residents from playing online. This means that players can still play at online casinos that cater to Brazilian players.
Countries That Deem Slot Games Illegal
Brazil is not the only country where slot games are illegal. Other countries with strict slot laws include Iraq, Iran, Poland, and Afghanistan. In all of these countries land-based gambling is prohibited.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, the slot industry does not have any uniform regulations. Regulations and laws regarding online slots have to be put in place governments or states themselves. While some countries are more relaxed in terms of slot, others have very strict laws that prohibit slots. What is also clear from this article is that most governments are stricter when it comes to land-based slot laws than online slots. While they clearly forbid land-based slots, there are no real laws prohibiting players from playing slots at online casinos that accept them.