2025 Regulatory Landscape for Casinoplusbonus Online Gamblers

The regulatory landscape across the six Casinplusbonus regions is undergoing significant changes, and we’re here with an update to keep you informed about developments in your country.

Sources: The information covered in this news report is a culmination of news reports covering the regulatory landscape in the English-speaking countries we cover here on Casinoplusbonus. Where possible, I have included links to previous news on each topic covered by the Casinoplusbonus team’s journalists.

Quick Overview

Crypto Vs Fiat Gambling Rules in These Countries

To date, all six countries remain open to cryptocurrency gaming, which are essentially Anjouan and Curacao GCB-licensed online gambling platforms.

Although frowned upon by the UK and soon to be banned by New Zealand, consumer laws in these countries cannot prevent or make it illegal for their citizens to sign up to and bet using cryptocurrency.

For fiat currency players, the situation becomes slightly more complex. Regulators are tightening PCI and AML oversight, making it more difficult for players to deposit into overseas online casinos via standard fiat routes.

For most players who use fiat currency, casinos overseas offer a more attractive game selection. At the same time, domestic gambling is the safer option in countries like the UK and Canada, as domestic gambling and consumer rights laws cover you.

Country-by-Country Update

We look at some of the latest and past gambling news reports researched and created by the Casinoplusbonus team. From these reports, we have compiled our knowledge to provide you with the most up-to-date online gambling licensing rules and regulations currently in place across six countries in 2025.

Ireland’s GRAI Licensing

We are on the brink of a new licensing framework under the jurisdiction of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. The most recent news on the release of the licensing application process is our latest news report, which covers the Irish Licensing Application Guidelines. It is a major step forward because operators planning to apply for a domestic licensing certificate in the country now have an understanding of what is expected of them.

A quick breakdown of what we know:

• Operators are now encouraged to contact the GRAI and show their interest
• We don’t know which operators plan to apply for domestic Irish licensing certificates
• No framework covers crypto gambling, so crypto gamblers will still be using Curacao and Anjouan online casino platforms
• The GRAI has not specifically said it will ban Irish players from choosing to play on overseas gambling platforms
• Responsible gambling and the prevention of problem gambling with a central self-exclusion register are a key focus

Find out more via our gambling news section on our Irish casino gaming review guides.

The UKGC Licensing

It seems that after the entire UK white paper, we are in a situation where the iGaming market is now in what we would call a more predictable phase. When we first heard about the White Paper changes to the UK Gambling Act 2025, it hurt the industry as we were unsure as to how these changes would affect the UK online casinos. However, many of the new rules are in place, and there is only one major change that affects players that we are waiting for, and that is whether the UKGC will enforce the 10x wagering maximum rule.

• The 10x wagering requirement on bonuses is yet to come into force
• Minimum bets of £2.00 for players 24 years old or under and £5.00 for players 25 or older are now in force
• Online gambling platforms do not need to request affordability checks from players (the process is still in pilot, and an automated system is planned)
• Crypto gambling is frowned upon, but it is not illegal to sign up for crypto casinos, especially those that accept players under the Anjouan Gaming Authority.

Find out more via our Up-to-Date British Gambling Rules on our UK casino page.

New Zealand Licensing

In New Zealand its early days, but the country appears on course to begin accepting online gambling operators. The application is yet to be decided, and there is still some debate amongst the public and parliament officials. Nonetheless, I don’t see things slowing down, and I believe that by mid-to-late 2026, operators can begin applying. However, there will only be 10 to 15 licensing certificates up for auction.

• No licensing application process in place as of yet
• First reading of the Gambling Bill passed as per the Scoop parliament report
• Some concerns over the focus on protection players from the perils of problem gambling
• There will be a limited number of licensing certificates available, with the current number being 15

Find out more from our Latest New Zealand Gambling Regulation News section on the New Zealand online casinos page.

Canadian Licensing

There is a federal advertising law for online gambling, which we published via our Federal Laws in Canada to Target Betting Advertisements. Aside from this, each province and territory governs their domestic gambling rules. Alberta is in the midst of launching a new licensing authority that invites overseas operators to offer B2C service in what will become an Ontario-style regulatory authority. British Columbia is also considering a similar system.

• Alberta iGaming Licensing Authority Approved
• No set date for the application process in Alberta
• British Columbia may also create a provincial licensing authority
• Crypto gambling is still very much a legal option for citizens in all provinces and territories,s although sometimes frowned upon

Stay up to date with the latest developments in Canada via our Canadian gambling news section via our casinos Canada guide.

South Africa Licensing

There is still no legal framework for online casino gambling in South Africa. With that said, many online sportsbooks are operating legally under domestic online gambling licenses that feature live casino and online slot games. There are two issues with this. If you gamble at a domestic online casino, you could be breaking the law, while there are still concerns regarding how safe these gambling platforms are, with South Africa currently on the FATF grey list is the FATF Calls Out South Africa Gambling For Poor AML Checks.

• Online casino gaming remains somewhat of a grey area
• Gambling operators under domestic licensing could be breaking the law by offering online casino games
• There are concerns about how online gambling sites manage their finances
• Crypto gambling is still a viable option for safe and reliable online gambling

You can stay up to date with the current South African online gambling landscape via our online casinos SA guide.

India Licensing

The licensing framework covering India remains a complex one. The Public Gambling Act of 1867 bans gambling, but does not mention online activities. However, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Maharashtra have explicitly stated online gambling is illegal. Karnataka has also proposed a bill to make it illegal.

Meanwhile, the IT Act 2000 governs online activity on a federal level but does not directly ban online gambling. Each state governs its gambling rules, and a push for a collaborative federal licensing authority is not making any headway. Regarding games not considered gambling, the Supreme Court has defined rummy and fantasy sports as games of skill, rendering them legal in most states.

• No blanket ban on online gambling laws at the federal level
• States of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Maharashtra ban all online gambling
• Rummy and fantasy sports are games of skill and, therefore, not banned

For more information, please regularly check our page covering online casinos for India.