Gambling is a big deal in most parts of Latin America – including Guyana. This country has somewhat of a unique situation, as gambling is legal but unregulated. Guyana does have a Gambling Prevention Act in place, but there are many exceptions to it, such as lotteries, pool betting, and casino games available for guests of two hotels that are attached to the only two casinos in the country.
The situation is a little bit different when it comes to online gambling. Guyana doesn’t have any laws in place that specifically prohibit online gambling, as the country’s gambling laws mainly prohibit gambling in brick-and-mortar casinos. However, there aren’t any gaming providers operating in the area, urging Guyana’s residents to seek entertainment from offshore operators.
This is in stark contrast with the Canadian gambling market, which has become one of the biggest forces in the world of online gambling. With online gambling in Canada projected to grow by 6.39% in the period between 2024 and 2029, gaming operators are flocking to this area that has become a gambling powerhouse.
Canada’s federal gaming and betting law is set out in the Criminal Code of Canada which, broadly speaking, prohibits gambling. However, gambling in the country can be legal when provincially managed. Every province in Canada has laws and regulations pertaining to online gambling and traditional casinos. Likewise, gambling in the country is legal only when offered through licensed facilities, which you’ll be able to find plenty of in Ontario.
With 69 online casinos and 25 land-based establishments, Ontario is a province that has elevated Canada’s gambling market. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario ensures that players enjoy the highest level of safety in casinos that feature thousands of popular games.
Canada isn’t the only part of America that has laws that differ among provinces or—in the case of the USA—states. Generally speaking, gambling is legal in the United States of America, with commercial gambling being legalized in Nevada in 1931. However, it’s possible to find significant restrictions in relation to interstate and online gambling between different states.
As of now, only six states in the USA have fully legalized online gambling: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. However, 35 states let residents participate in sports gambling, with the market regulations undergoing frequent changes. Land-based gambling is allowed in 24 US states, with the first casino in the USA dating back to the 19th century.
Still, there are some states such as California and Texas where gambling is strictly prohibited and could result in a fine.
All gaming operators who want to enter the US market first need to research both federal and state gambling laws, as the only two states where no forms of gambling are allowed are Utah and Hawaii. Gaming operators need to remain compliant, but the diversity of the US gambling laws won’t make that easy.
As for Guyana’s neighboring countries in Latin America, it’s possible to find a complete mixture of laws and regulations. While many countries have opened up to legalizing gambling, some are firmly against it – like Ecuador. Gambling in this country is generally prohibited, and there are no licensed casinos in Ecuador. However, even though the gambling industry has been closed off since 2011, foreign websites are allowed.
Another country in Latin America with somewhat ambiguous laws is Chile. Chile has laws that legalize gambling and casino games, but online gambling still remains illegal. However, players who do gamble online will not be fined or prosecuted. This could change soon, as the country is set to regulate all forms of gambling soon.
As for the other countries in Latin America, gambling is generally legal and somewhat regulated. Venezuela stands out as a place where gambling is legal, and cryptocurrency usage is encouraged. There are seven legal gambling facilities available in the country, and many of them accept cryptocurrency as payment. As for online gambling in Venezuela, two companies that had government licenses went bankrupt, so there aren’t any local online gambling sites. However, the country’s residents are still welcome to play on offshore sites – all they have to do is find a dependable online casino.
