License to be weird - gambling regulations around the world

Among all the usual, serious (and responsible!) talk about gambling, sometimes it’s time to reveal some more quarky and peculiar findings on the topic, just to refresh and relax the atmosphere a little bit. This is how we’ve reached the topic of unusual gambling laws. Here we go, some might really surprise you.

Japan and its Pachinko Loophole

In some countries, such as Japan, gambling as we know it, in the classic form of roulette, blackjack or casino cash casino games, is mostly prohibited. However, there are certain types of games or form of entertainment which might have enough similarities to gambling. You can still bet on sports and participate to lotteries, only organized by the government. Aaaand you can play pachinko! Pachinko venues qualify for what they call “amusement” and it’s a sort of gambling with low monetary rewards. Low monetary for the clients maybe, but the total businesses made a total of ¥2.58 trillion in 2022, so the magnitude of the businesses is quite big actually.

The game itself originated as a classic pinball one, but nowadays is a mix of pinball and slots, and you can’t play directly for cash. You will be receiving certain prizes as gifts, (which guess what, you can afterwards exchange for cash outside the parlor) Good news for real gamblers out there, Japan has also agreed to open up a real, classic casino, big event which is about to happen in 2029!

North Korea: Citizens Can't Play North Korea allows gambling, but with a peculiar twist: only foreigners are allowed to gamble. The country has casinos exclusively for tourists, and North Korean citizens are strictly prohibited from participating. This regulation is designed to allow the state to earn revenue from foreigners without promoting gambling behavior among its own citizens, maintaining the state's strict control over social and economic activities. The rule here is that gambling is prohibited, in general. The rule doesn't apply to tourists though, foreigners can gamble in exclusively created casinos, this way the state can earn revenue from this activity. If you’re planning to visit North Korea anytime soon, you can try the Yanggakdo Hotel Casino for instance, or the Imperial Hotel Casino, two of the biggest names in the industry.

Macau: No entry for the very important persons Macau is not just any gambling destination, it is perhaps the most proeminent one from the past few years, often referred to as the “gambling capital of the world”. An old, and a bit weird rule stands out here: if you work for a public institution you will be banned to enter the casinos, unless you have some sort of work related reason to do so.

Monaco: Residents Are Banned from Casinos Here's another famous example of country where gambling seems to thrive (you’ve probably heard of the Monte Carlo Casino!) but not for its residents. The law was put in place by the Princess Caroline of Monaco ever since the 19th century, when she wanted to save her bankrupt town and came up with the idea that gambling could bring many visitors and revenue. However, she did not want the activity to be promoted among its citizens, on moral grounds. The rule stands today still. Sorry, guys.

India: State-By-State Variance and Skill Games India has a complex set of gambling laws that vary greatly from state to state. Gambling is mostly prohibited except for lotteries, horse racing, and card games of skill like rummy, which are legal in many states. However, different states interpret the definition of "skill" differently, leading to confusing and often contradictory rules. For instance, some states allow poker as a game of skill, while others classify it as illegal gambling.

Pokies for charity

In New Zealand, gambling venues are prohibited, but you will still find slot machines in bars, but from what we read it seems they are mostly used for charity purposes, and not for profit. A good cause remains a solid cause, right? Lord’s Day Sunday is a day of rest, in most Christian countries people are not supposed to work at all, and use the day for family gatherings and religious activities. According to Alabama Criminal Code, you are definitely not supposed to be gambling! Any racing, hunting, or even playing domino or cards is prohibited. You can even get a fine, even though they won’t get as far as arrest you. As you can see, cultural values and the religious factor can make the regulations in gambling vary quite a lot, making things interesting. It seems it’s always more convenient to be gambling as a tourist!