How Different Countries Regulate Online vs. Land-Based Casinos

by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 19, 2025

In many countries around the world, including Australia, casinos are regulated at the legislative level. And the approach to online and land-based projects often differs. As a rule, online platforms available to Aussie users at https://online-casinosaustralia.com/neosurf/, apply more lenient controls, although in some countries there are exceptions. In this article, we will look at how two types of casinos are regulated in Australia and some other countries. This information will allow us to assess the degree of loyalty of the Australian authorities in this matter. In the future, this will help you find reliable gaming platforms. Once you are familiar with the regulations' details, you can better determine the best online casinos in Australia for a safe gaming experience.

General Regulatory Options for Online and Land-Based Casinos

Despite a number of significant differences in the control methods applied in different countries, there are certain common options that unite all regulators. It is with these that we will start our review, which will help to better orientate the comparison. So, such options are:

+ Licensing: obtaining permits to operate from the relevant authorities.

+ Taxation: setting tax rates for online and land-based operators.

+ Control of responsible behaviour of punters: measures to prevent gambling addiction.

+ Advertising restrictions: regulations on the promotion of gambling through media, social networks and other channels.

+ Software requirements: ensuring fairness and transparency of games, and quality of platforms used.

+ Protection of personal information: compliance with established information security standards.

As noted earlier, these parameters are common to all types of casinos. However, their implementation and level of control may differ from region to region and from project to project. Below we will consider specific examples for several countries.

Australia

Regulation of gambling on the Down Under is carried out at two levels - federal and regional. Despite the fact that the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 prohibits online casinos on the territory of the country, this, let's say, already outdated document has several clauses that allow offshore projects to provide services for Aussies. Simply put, they take advantage of the absence of an official ban on foreign projects with pokies.

As for land-based casinos, there are separate rules for them in each state and region. For example, the Victorian Gambling and Liquor Regulatory Commission issues licences and supervises the activities of licensed projects, setting its own performance criteria. Thus, paradoxically, the requirements for formally banned online operators are more lenient than the conditions of control over permitted land-based casinos.

Canada

In Canada, gambling is regulated at the provincial level. Some provinces, such as Ontario, have launched their own regulated online gambling platforms. In other regions, gaming websites can operate in a grey area if they are licensed outside of Canada. Land-based casinos are also subject to provincial regulation, with a focus on consumer protection and preventing gambling addiction.

Great Britain

The UK has one of the strictest gambling regulatory systems in the world. The Gambling Commission, established under the Gambling Act 2005, controls both online and land-based casinos. All operators are required to obtain the appropriate licences, comply with rules to protect punters, prevent money laundering and ensure the integrity of games. Violations can lead to severe fines or licence revocation.

South Africa

In South Africa, land-based casinos are legalised and regulated by the National Gambling Board. However, iGaming websites remain illegal. Despite this, many international operators continue to provide services to South African punters, which creates problems for local regulators. The authorities are making efforts to tighten controls, including blocking illegal sites and prosecuting offenders.

Brazil

Brazil has recently taken steps towards legalising online gambling. A law regulating online betting and casinos was passed in 2023, with the introduction of a licensing and control system. Land-based casinos remain outlawed for now, but plans to legalise them are being discussed. The new regulation aims to ensure transparency, protect consumers and increase tax revenues.

Summary

From the above descriptions, we can conclude that Down Under takes a moderate position. Despite the federal ban on online casinos, offshore projects still remain in the 'grey' zone. Moreover, platforms with international license are not prosecuted by regulators. Therefore, although land-based casinos in some regions have more loyal conditions, most local punters still prefer to play pokies online. Here we can recommend reliable and trusted resources, the current rating of which is always available on the OCA review site.