The 5 most visited countries where Casinos are prohibited

Since the beginning of time, people have been playing the game of chance not to win money but to show intelligence, pass time, and also it was associated with supernatural beings. People perceived that the gods favored players that were lucky with gambling. Thousands of years later, gaming is still part of civilization that has evolved into different forms and variations.

Gambling has evolved to be a form of entertainment, a way of gaining or losing money and wicked behavioral problems such as addiction. Addiction is among the main reason that makes casino and betting controversial. Therefore, government regulators are continually trying to protect its citizens for various reasons;

Below are the five most visited countries where the casino is banned.

Cambodia

Historically, Cambodians have had gambling addictions, therefore to protect the citizens; the government illegalized all forms of gambling in 1996 and enacted penalties ranging from short prison sentences to monetary fines. The prohibition extends to all kinds of online casinos with the following exceptions;
• Private Lottery sponsored by the government, which is available in five different forms.
• Foreign visitors wishing to visit Cambodia are permitted to gamble in the dedicated casinos.
For the government to capitalize on the gaming industry, casinos construction is in popular resort areas and border towns to entice foreigners. Despite the control by the government, there are loopholes which create the opportunity for a citizen to gamble legally, for example, to enter a casino, one should have a foreign passport; therefore, those with dual citizenship will lawfully bet.
Another scenario is where the rural people bribe the local police to gain access to the casinos as they cannot produce a foreign ID. There are other less formal, illicit venues forced to give two-thirds of the daily income to the police to avoid being arrested.

United Arab Emirates

Under the Penal Code’s Article 414, in the United Arab Emirates, any form of gambling is punishable, and those caught playing may serve up to two years jail term. Since betting is a grey area, UAE has taken additional steps to control internet content. In 2012, President Sheikh Khalifa decreed the most comprehensive cyber-crime law, where he mandated the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority to implement an access policy.

The internet access management policy requires internet providers to block website content regarded as illegal, such as pornography, online gambling websites, terrorism-related content. Therefore, they prevent any access to online casinos. However, there are plans to offer gambling in the coming years upon approval from the government. The idea is to have the cruise boat to approve gambling when on international waters in the Gulf. This way, no gambling will occur in the UAE waters.

Brunei

Being an Islamic country, it has strict anti-gaming laws. It forbids any form of gambling enforced under the Common Gaming House Act. Section 6, chapter 28, strictly prohibits all kinds of the casino; anyone caught gambling could serve a prison term of up to 6 months or pay fine of 10,000 dollars. Section 4 law, states forms of punishments for casino operators and owners and can be jailed for ten years or pay fine amounting to 20,000 dollars.

Even though the notion of online casinos is outlawed, Brunei residents can gamble on foreign legal online casinos; however, this is a risk because the state of Brunei will not protect the player from fraudulent activities.

Japan

All forms of gambling were illegal in Japan until recently, although there were still loopholes where some activities took place. For example, Pachinko could not be illegalized due to cultural and historical importance. The government regulates the gambling industry carefully, to ensure that those who play in casinos online do it safely. Online casinos in Japan are strictly prohibited to underage, and for the casinos to operate, they must apply for a license before providing access to their games.

North Korea

North Korea is one of the most secretive countries in the world. The government does not appreciate people from outside, to avoid influencing the indigenous people. The government not only restricts freedom of expression, association, and independent media but also prohibits the citizens from any form of gambling. One can visit the only casino in North Korea located in Pyongyang if you’re a tourist on a guided tour.

Here is what you do if traveling

When traveling to foreign countries that don’t allow casinos, you will find that most of these countries’ laws on gambling do not restrict tourists. Thus, you can still play in casinos when traveling. However, ensure that you comply with the gambling laws of a country; otherwise, you may risk being arrested or charged in a foreign country.

Conclusion

When you take a look at the gambling laws and gaining the understanding of countries that never permit such activities, you will appreciate the freedom to sign in to your online casino and win cash. Despite the strictness and the dangers of illegal gambling, people still engage in these activities, both online and inland.

However, the above countries are stringent; it is, therefore, not advisable for a visitor to challenge them. If you are a visitor in these foreign countries, it will best that you look for other forms of entertainment. After all, you’re not a permanent resident, and in the future, these laws may change. The same way you worry about the safety of your money when gambling, it’s the same way these governments protect its citizens.