Assessing the No-Go Zones - Where Sportsbooks Are Banned and Why, by Altenar

Altenar's report highlights the significant impact of sports betting on global economies and innovation, while addressing the risks posed by strict legal prohibitions in certain countries.  Expanding into jurisdictions where sports betting is banned creates complex legal challenges for operators, with the potential for heavy fines, blocked platforms, and even criminal charges.

Before entering new markets, operators must weigh the risks, understand the regulations, and identify opportunities aligned with a sustainable, legally sound business model.

Countries with a Complete Ban on Sports Betting

In several countries, all forms of sports betting are completely outlawed, with strict enforcement measures in place. For example:

China

State-Controlled Betting and Offshore Market Crackdown

China is home to one of the strictest gambling regimes in the world. Since the Communist Party took control in 1949, nearly all forms of gambling have been prohibited, with only state-run lotteries permitted. While underground betting markets thrive and offshore platforms attract Chinese players, the government has intensified its crackdown on illegal operators. Beijing has shown no signs of legalising sports betting beyond its official lottery system, making China an unviable market for international operators.

Cuba

A Gambling Hub Turned Strictly Prohibited

Before the Cuban Revolution in 1959, Havana was a hotspot for gambling, attracting wealthy foreign tourists to its casinos and betting establishments. However, after Fidel Castro’s rise to power, the government banned all gambling activities, including sports betting, linking them to corruption and capitalist excess. Today, the ban remains firmly in place, and while the country has gradually opened its economy in some areas, there is no political appetite to reintroduce legalised sports betting.

United Arab Emirates

Gambling Banned Despite Tourist Boom

The UAE is known for its luxury tourism sector, but unlike some other Gulf nations, it has maintained a strict ban on all gambling, including sports betting. The government has historically been unwilling to make exceptions, even for major sporting events that attract international audiences. While Dubai and Abu Dhabi have relaxed other regulatory policies to attract foreign investment, gambling remains off-limits. There are no indicators that this stance will change in the foreseeable future.

Also, operators can face severe penalties if they attempt to operate in the following countries: Algeria, Brunei, Cambodia, Libya, North Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia.

Read the full report here.