I HAVE MODIFIED MY PRIOR REQUEST TO THE FOLLOWING:
WHICH COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE IS ONLINE GAMBLING LEGAL?
WHICH COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE IS ONLINE GAMBLING ILLEGAL?
VALUE $200.00

Hello jacjon,

Here are the areas in which it is legal:

1. Liechtenstein
   -- only allows lotteries controlled by the national government
2. Gibraltar
3. Australia
4. Antigua and Barbuda
5. United Kingdom
6. Costa Rica
7. Luxembourg
8. Sweden
9. Estonia
10. Ireland
11. Russia
12. Macau
13. Singapore
  (does not have any current laws against it except in a public place)
14. Philippines
15. Italy
16. Austria
17. Belgium
18. Czech Republic
19. Denmark
20. Finland
  -- must be a Finnish resident with a Finnish bank account to play
21. Germany
22. Hungary
23. Ireland
24. Latvia
25. Lithuania
26. Malta
27. Poland
28. Slovakia
29. Slovenia
30. Spain
31. France
  does not allow companies within its borders, but its citizens can
gamble from other companies internationally
32. Switzerland
33. Belize
34. Kalmykia
35. Panama
36. Comoros
37. Aland Islands
38. Swaziland
39. Seychelles
40. St. Kitts and Nevis
41. Venezuela
42. Mauritius
43. Kahnawake (Indian territory in Quebec)
44. Netherlands Antilles
45. Northern Territory (Australia)
46. Isle of Man
47. Alderney
48. Vanuatu 
49. Dominica
50. Dominican Republic
51. Norfolk Island
52. South Africa
53. Australian Capital Territory
54. Grand River Mohock Lands (Indian territory in Canada)
55. Jamaica
56. Tanzania
57. New South Wales (Australia)
58. Queensland (Australia)
59. Tasmania (Australia)
60. Victoria (Australia)
61. Western Australia (Australia)
62. Hutt River Province Principality
63. Maharashta (India)
64. Nepal
65. North Korea
66. Solomon Islands
67. South Korea
68. Taiwan
69. Vietnam
70. Grenada
71. St. Vincent
72. US Virgin Islands
73. Colombia
74. Iceland
75. Jersey
76. Monaco
77. Norway
78. Sark
79. Serbia
80. Israel
81. Argentina
82. Brazil
83. Chile

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Clarification of Answer by keystroke-ga on 12 Oct 2006 22:41 PDT

Hello jacjon,

I was too quick on the trigger with the answer button... I'll have the
second part of your question for you in a bit.

--keystroke-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by keystroke-ga on 13 Oct 2006 00:15 PDT

Hello jacjon,

Thank you for your interesting question. I have listed for you, above,
the countries in the world in which online gambling is legal in some
form.

I did find two more countries in which online gambling is legal: 

84. Myanmar
85. Aruba

There are many more countries in the world in which there are no laws
governing online gambling (or even gambling, for that matter) at all.
Here is a list of specific countries in which online gambling, or
gambling in general, has been specifically outlawed:

1. United States
2. China
3. Hong Kong
4. Cyprus
5. Greece
6. The Netherlands
7. Portugal
8. New Zealand
9. The Bahamas
10. South Korea
11. Indonesia
12. Saudi Arabia
13. Pakistan
14. Iran
15. Afghanistan
16. Turkey
17. Thailand
18. Libya
19. Sudan
20. Nigeria
21. Algeria
22. Japan
23. Taiwan
24. Dubai
25. Vietnam
26. Bahrain
27. Brunei
28. Jordan


Norway and Israel have been thinking of instituting a ban, and
Australia has banned future companies from forming or locating there
and their residents from gambling. Some companies locate there under
provincial rules; however, they can't market to Australian residents.

Of the above countries, mainland China and Cyprus are rethinking their
laws and are contemplating changing them so as to make gambling legal.

In Canada, it is illegal to set up a site but individual users' laws
are left to the provinces. Some provinces and tribes have become
places for online gambling websites to locate themselves, as you can
see in places such as the Kahnawake tribe in the above listing.

In France, online companies cannot be located in the country, but
French people are allowed to bet on sites.

Notably, "sharia" law from the Koran states that gambling is
unacceptable. Muslim countries that practice sharia law as part of
their government, therefore, do not allow gambling of any
circumstances. I have included these countries above. Turkey is
officially a secular government but has taken actions against
gamblers; however, if they join the European Union, they may have to
loosen these laws a bit. In any case, they are certainly not as strict
as many other Islamic nations are.

Overall, there are many different levels of legality involved with
these countries-- some outlaw sites while allowing users to gamble,
while some encourage sites but outlaw gamblers. The laws are often
contradictory and sometimes don't make sense. Many times, it's simply
a legal gray area where there is no direct legislation. In most
countries, it is not that it is outlawed; it's simply that there are
no rules to govern it.

Sources:

CBC News
"Online Gambling"
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/gambling/onlinegambling.html

cybercrime.gov
http://www.cybercrime.gov/kvd0698.htm

"Korea struggles to fight illegal gambling"
http://www.playnoevil.com/serendipity/index.php?/archives/786-Korea-struggles-to-fight-illegal-gambling.html

Harvard Business Week
"How To Do Business in Islamic Countries"
http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/2745.html

Center for Religious Freedom
"Sharia in Kabul?"
http://www.freedomhouse.org/religion/country/afghanistan/Sharia%20in%20Kabul.htm

Wikipedia Entry-- Sharia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharia

Online Casino News
"Online Gambling Comes under Fire in Turkey"
http://www.onlinecasino-news.com/20050313/online_gambling_comes_under_fire_in_bij.aspx

Asia Times
"Virtual gambling in Myanmar's drug country"
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/HH26Ae01.html

"Gambling with Thailand"
Google Cache--
http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:YOBouSAC-M8J:pioneer.netserv.chula.ac.th/~ppasuk/gamblingwiththailand.doc+thailand+gambling&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=2&client=firefox-a

Internatioinal Herald-Tribune
"Online gambling: New arena for U.S.-European conflict"
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/04/24/business/gamble25.php

New York Times
"Hot Technology for Chilly Streets in Estonia"
December 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/13/technology/13skype.html?ei=5088&en=06f1efc1e11e7049&ex=1292130000

World Casino Directory-- Russia
http://www.worldcasinodirectory.com/russian-federation

Tangent E-Zine-- "Macau Booms"
http://www.hoteltravel.com/tangent/022006/tangent_4th_article.htm

CasinoMeister-- "SINGAPORE COULD BE A MAJOR ONLINE CASINO HUB"
http://www.casinomeister.com/news/july2006/online_casino_news4/SINGAPORE-COULD-BE-A-MAJOR-ONLINE-CASINO-HUB.html

Nation News
http://www.nationnews.com/editorial/299570371505449.php

Casino City
Jurisdictions Page 1:
http://online.casinocity.com/jurisdictions/Index.cfm
Jurisdictions Page 2:
http://online.casinocity.com/jurisdictions/Index.cfm?Start=16
Jurisdictions Page 3:
http://online.casinocity.com/jurisdictions/Index.cfm?Start=31
Isle of Man--
http://online.casinocity.com/jurisdictions/jurisdiction.cfm?Id=21
Alderney--
http://online.casinocity.com/jurisdictions/jurisdiction.cfm?Id=17

CasinoZone Jurisdictions--

Antigua and Barbuda--
http://www.casinozone.com/directory/jurisdictions/details.asp?iid=5

Antigua and Barbuda Division of Gaming
http://www.antiguagaming.gov.ag/

Wharton School
"The Odds Are Good That Online Gambling Will Continue to Thrive -- But
at What Price?"
http://www.whartonsp.com/articles/article.asp?p=402222&rl=1

Isle of Man Government Gambling
http://www.gov.im/gambling/

History of Vietnam online gambling
http://www.gamblinglicenses.com/LicencesDatabaseDetail.cfm?Licenses_ID=105&Region=Asia%20Pacific

Gambling Jurisdictions
http://www.gamblinglicenses.com/licensesDatabase.cfm
Sark Islands-
http://www.gamblinglicenses.com/LicencesDatabaseDetail.cfm?Licenses_ID=126&Region=Europe
Comoros--
http://www.gamblinglicenses.com/LicencesDatabaseDetail.cfm?Licenses_ID=28&Region=Africa
South Africa--
http://www.gamblinglicenses.com/LicencesDatabaseDetail.cfm?Licenses_ID=78&Region=Africa

Online Jurisdictions
http://www.winneronline.com/articles/september2006/onlinegamblingjurisdictions-2.htm

"Gambling and the Law"
http://www.gamblingandthelaw.com/antigua.html

Parliament of Australia
"Gambling Policy and Regulation"
http://www.aph.gov.au/library/intguide/SP/gambling_ebrief.htm

Wikipedia entry-- List of Countries
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries

Search terms:
online gambling illegal which countries
countries prohibit gambling
countries + "illegal gambling"
gambling muslim countries
sharia laws gambling
sharia wikipedia
afghanistan sharia law
thailand gambling
algeria gambling
japan gambling outlawed
european union online gambling
estonia online gambling
macau online gambling
singapore online gambling
online gaming jurisdictions
jamaica online gambling
online gambling jurisdictions
vietnam online gambling
israel online gambling
argentina internet gaming
australia internet gambling
aruba online gambling
bahrain gambling
brunei gambling
jordan gambling sharia

If you need any additional clarification of my answer before rating,
let me know and I'll be happy to assist you further.

--keystroke-ga

---

Request for Answer Clarification by jacjon-ga on 13 Oct 2006 09:03 PDT

Dear Keystroke:
Your research reveals (85) countries where online gambling is legal.
However, according to the London Stock Exchange Newsroom/The Exchange
Welcome , 30th January 2001:
"Sportingbet.com PLC (UK)was launched in October, 1998 and now boasts over 50,000
in over 103 countries."
In your opinion, has the London Stock Exchange AND Sportingbet.com
overstated their "information" in the IPO or have we fell short of 18
countries?
Sincerly,
Jacjon
10/13/05

---

Request for Answer Clarification by jacjon-ga on 13 Oct 2006 09:07 PDT

Dear Keystroke:
Your research reveals (85) countries where online gambling is legal.
However, according to the London Stock Exchange Newsroom/The Exchange
Welcome , 30th January 2001:
"Sportingbet.com PLC (UK)was launched in October, 1998 and now boasts
over 50,000 customers
in over 103 countries."
In your opinion, has the London Stock Exchange AND Sportingbet.com
overstated their "information" in the IPO or have we fell short by 18
countries?
Sincerly,
Jacjon
10/13/05

---

Clarification of Answer by keystroke-ga on 13 Oct 2006 10:56 PDT

Hello jacjon,

Their information is probably not incorrect. However, these are the
countries in which online gambling has been specifically allowed or in
which an online gambling company can locate itself. There are many
countries that have never legislated the matter. For instance, if I
lived in Iran and had access to the Internet, there would be nothing
stopping me from going online and gambling to my heart's desire even
though it is completely illegal to gamble in Iran. There is no real
way that you could get caught unless the gambling site or your ISP
turned you in for it, which they wouldn't because they want your
money. So that is probably what accounts for the difference.

Companies are often prone to exaggerating their customer base, and it
is possible that this was done. It's quite likely, however, that they
had customers in China or South Korea even though this is illegal in
those people's countries and therefore counted those as countries in
which they did business. In the end, it doesn't matter how many
countries there are in which it is legal for Sportingbet. In any case,
it was really only one country that mattered and that gave Sportingbet
most of its money. And that country's business has for the time being
been completely severed from Sportingbet.

--keystroke-ga

Thanks, jacjon, for the five stars and the tip! :)

The answers by keystroke-ga are incorrect.

1.	The countries in which online gambling is legal is incomplete.  It
is legal to gamble online in for example, Japan, France, Hong Kong,
etc.  What perhaps keystroke means is that it is illegal to gamble on
foreign websites in those countries!
2.	The list of countries listed by keystroke as having a prohibition
on online gambling is therefore equally wrong.  Another example, the
US for example hosts many betting websites for horseracing and they
are perfectly legal.
3.	People in France are allowed to bet on sites?claims keystroke. 
That is simply wrong.  People living in France are only allowed to bet
on the website of the horseracing pool.
4.	Finally, Sportingbet?s can claim it takes bets from as many
countries as it does because, as keystroke would agree, it can get
away with it due to the general lack of enforcement in all those
countries where their activity is forbidden Until these operators
travel to the US or France off course where they are put in jail. 
Liike many other operators, the largest gambling operator, Betfair,
recommends its employees not to travel to certain places.
5.	Suggestion to yahoo advisors: stick to what is legal and let
individuals decide on whether they what to break the law or not and
keep silence if you do not know the subject.

Have a nice day

Maurits Bruggink

The answers are not incorrect. 

It is not legal to gamble in Hong Kong; it is legal to bet on the
Jockey Club, which is one business.  Another business could not come
and set up there, and residents would be arrested if it is found they
are betting on anything besides the Jockey Club. This is why I did not
include them. Technically yes, it may be legal to bet on one site, but
that does not mean that "online gambling is legal" there. It is not. 
The same goes for France.  I have a friend who runs a French casino
and he was run out of France on threat of prosecution. It is certainly
not legal to set up a gambling operation there except for the
state-owned companies, because the government wants the money from
those. A private company certainly cannot set up shop and take bets
from punters.  It is not just illegal to gamble on foreign websites in
those countries-- it is illegal to gamble on anything but the
state-owned websites. That's a bit different. However, because this is
certainly not enforced (yet) and I know that the French do gamble on
many online gambling websites, I have included them as being able to
gamble. My friend was French and his website was French, but he could
not set up there. Now, he is set up somewhere else but has a large
French base of customers anyway. I included France on the list of
sites where people can bet on sites because I know that many French
people do and it is not really enforced that they cannot bet on sites;
the casinos are just not allowed to have a physical presence there and
that IS enforced.

I did not include the US because this is not a list of countries in
which betting on horseracing is legal. It is not legal to do any kind
of gambling you please in the US, only the kind of gambling that horse
racing lobbyists wish for Americans to do, and that does not mean that
online gambling is legal there.

I did not include in my answer certain countries/ municipalities where
only one form of online gambling, such as horse racing, is allowed. I
included the ones that were open to most types of gambling.

Have a nice day as well.

--keystroke-ga