Crypto casinos are only legal for you to use when they’re licensed (or specifically permitted) to offer online gambling in your jurisdiction—and you follow local laws. There’s no single global rule: the legal status changes from country to country, and often by state or province. Always check a regulator’s public register before you deposit. For example, Great Britain publishes a searchable list of licensed businesses, and playing outside that system leaves you without UK protections.
Why there’s no one-size-fits-all rule
Online gambling isn’t harmonized at the EU level; each member state sets its own rules. That’s why some European countries license online casinos while others restrict or ban them.
Globally, many authorities treat crypto-funded gambling as higher AML risk and expect stronger checks. In June 2025, the FATF updated Recommendation 16 (the “Travel Rule”) to raise payment transparency standards, including for virtual assets—one reason legitimate sites ask for more information and don’t offer anonymous play.
Country-by-country snapshots (beginner friendly)
United Kingdom (Great Britain)
Remote gambling is legal only with a UK Gambling Commission licence. You can verify brands on the public register and read player guidance on age/ID checks (which must be completed before you gamble). The Commission has flagged crypto-assets as higher risk and expects strict AML controls. In practice, few GB-licensed operators accept crypto directly. Stick to sites you can find on the register.
United States
Online casinos are legal only in states that license them; offshore sites targeting Americans are a major enforcement focus. In 2025, a coalition of state Attorneys General urged the U.S. Department of Justice to crack down on illegal offshore operators, while the American Gaming Association estimated hundreds of billions in annual wagers with illegal and unregulated operators. Importantly, U.S. courts have held the federal Wire Act applies to sports betting, but that doesn’t make offshore online casinos legal—state law and other federal tools (like UIGEA) still apply. Use only state-licensed sites.
Malta (EU)
The Malta Gaming Authority licenses many online casinos and has updated its policy framework around Distributed Ledger Technology/virtual assets. Whether a Maltese-licensed operator lets you deposit in crypto depends on its approvals and AML controls. Always check the site’s licensing details on the MGA website and your own country’s rules about access.
Curaçao
Curaçao introduced a new law (LOK) on 24 December 2024, reforming its online gaming regime and creating the Curaçao Gaming Authority. Expect tighter licensing and AML oversight compared with legacy arrangements often used by offshore brands.
Australia
Australia prohibits unlicensed online casinos and actively blocks illegal sites. The communications regulator (ACMA) maintains a running list of blocked gambling websites. If you live in Australia, play only with services permitted under local law.
Singapore and Japan
Singapore treats unlicensed remote gambling as unlawful and has blocked access to crypto-based platforms (e.g., Polymarket). Japan has stepped up enforcement and revised law in 2025 to target foreign online casinos and related advertising, making access from inside Japan illegal.
Canada
Gambling legality is provincial. Ontario, for instance, operates a regulated iGaming market via iGaming Ontario and the AGCO; other provinces have their own systems. Check your provincial regulator; rules on payment methods and KYC apply regardless of crypto.
“But I can reach a site with a VPN—doesn’t that make it okay?”
No. Accessing a site doesn’t make it legal. Major jurisdictions report widespread use of VPNs to bypass blocks, but enforcement agencies and regulators treat offshore crypto casinos as illegal/unregulated where local licences are required. You also lose formal protections if things go wrong.
What licensed operators will ask you for (and why)
- Age and identity verification before you gamble. This is mandatory in places like Great Britain.
- Source-of-funds and AML checks, especially if crypto is involved. Regulators warn licensed operators to treat crypto as higher risk. The FATF’s June 2025 changes to Recommendation 16 further raise transparency expectations for payments.
How to check a site quickly
- Find the regulator’s public register and search the brand or corporate name. For GB: the Gambling Commission’s public register lists licensed businesses, domains and regulatory actions.
- Confirm your country allows access to that licence. EU countries set their own rules; some restrict overseas-licensed sites.
- Avoid any site that hides its licence or lists only a PO Box/“provably fair” badge with no regulator. Offshore brands frequently rely on weak licensing or none at all; U.S. authorities are actively targeting them.
Taxes and records: the part beginners forget
In the U.S., gambling winnings are taxable and digital-asset activity must be reported. The IRS maintains a “digital assets” question and guidance on reporting gambling income. Keep records of deposits, withdrawals, and wins/losses. Local tax rules vary—ask a qualified adviser in your country.
Red flags that a crypto casino isn’t legal where you live
- No regulator named, or a licence you can’t verify on an official register.
- Claims that “KYC is optional” or “we accept all countries.” Licensed markets require ID checks and geo-controls.
- Marketing that encourages you to use VPNs to bypass blocks—media reports show this is common with unregulated crypto casinos.
- Operating from a jurisdiction under regulatory overhaul without clear, current authorisation (e.g., Curaçao pre-LOK vs post-LOK).
Safety resources if you need help
- Great Britain: GAMSTOP multi-operator self-exclusion; GambleAware’s National Gambling Support Network.
- United States: National Problem Gambling Helpline 1-800-GAMBLER (24/7 call/text/chat).
FAQ
Are “crypto casinos” banned everywhere?
No. What’s illegal is offering online gambling to people in a place where you don’t hold a valid local licence (or exemption). Many countries license online gambling; others block or ban it, and rules can vary by state/province. The EU leaves gambling policy to member states; Australia and Singapore actively block unlicensed sites; the U.S. is pushing a crackdown on offshore operators.
If the U.S. Wire Act covers sports betting, why are offshore crypto casinos still “illegal” to use?
Courts have said the Wire Act targets interstate sports betting, but offshore online casinos still run afoul of state laws and other federal tools (like UIGEA). That’s why AGs are asking DOJ to act against them and why you should stick to state-licensed sites only.
Do licensed casinos accept crypto?
Some regulators allow it under strict AML controls, but many licensed operators simply don’t accept crypto because of compliance risk. The UK regulator has highlighted crypto as high risk for money laundering, and global standards (FATF Rec. 16) now demand more payment transparency.
