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Compliance

Restricted countries by licence

Pick a licence to see what you must geo-block — or pick a country to see which licences let you serve it.

Illustrative and simplified. Real restricted lists run to dozens of countries, change often, and depend on your product, payment methods and terms. “Local licence required” marks major regulated markets where an offshore licence is not enough. Always confirm the current list with the regulator or a licensing adviser before you set geo-blocking.

Which countries you can and cannot serve

Every gambling licence comes with a geo-blocking obligation. Some countries are prohibited under the terms of the licence itself; others prohibit inbound online gambling under their own law; and a large group are commercially restricted because payments, marketing or banking do not work there in practice. This tool works both ways: pick a licence to see the countries you must block under it, or pick a country to see which licences let you serve it and on what terms. It is a starting point for a geo-blocking policy, not a legal opinion.

Prohibited, regulated, grey and open

Countries fall into rough categories. Prohibited: online gambling is illegal and enforced — you must geo-block. Regulated: legal but only with a local licence, so an offshore operator cannot serve them compliantly. Grey: no clear prohibition and no local regime, which many operators serve but with real legal and payment risk. Open: no restriction beyond your own licence terms. This list reflects the common industry read; enforcement, payment-provider policy and the law itself change often, so treat a country's status as a prompt to get local advice, especially before spending on marketing there.

Frequently asked questions

What does "restricted" mean for a country here?
It covers three cases: the country is prohibited under your licence terms, its own law bans inbound online gambling, or it is commercially unworkable because payments, banking and marketing fail there. The tool labels which applies.
Why does a licence require me to block certain countries?
Regulators protect their own standing and avoid facilitating illegal gambling elsewhere. Most licences explicitly prohibit serving jurisdictions where online gambling is illegal, sanctioned countries, and often the regulator's own market unless separately licensed.
Can I serve a "grey" market?
Many operators do, but it carries risk: the law can change, local payment providers can be cut off, marketing can trigger enforcement, and your licensor may object. Treat grey status as "proceed only with local legal advice", not "safe".
How do I actually enforce geo-blocking?
IP geolocation at registration and login, blocking known VPN and proxy ranges, checking the player's stated country and payment-instrument country, and refusing deposits and withdrawals from blocked jurisdictions. Regulators expect layered checks, not IP alone.
Which licence covers the most markets?
Offshore licences (Curaçao, Anjouan) restrict the fewest countries on paper, which is part of their appeal, but "not prohibited by the licence" is not the same as "legal to serve" — the country's own law still applies. Tier-1 licences restrict more but unlock regulated markets you cannot touch otherwise.
Is the US always blocked?
For an offshore operator, effectively yes — federal law and state-by-state regulation make it non-compliant, and most licences prohibit it outright. Serving the US legally requires state licences obtained individually.
How often does this list change?
Country status shifts whenever a market regulates, a regulator issues guidance, or payment rails change. It is a maintained best-effort snapshot of the common industry position, not a legal register — always verify a specific country before acting on it.
Is my selection sent anywhere?
No. The country and licence data is on the page and the lookup runs in your browser; nothing is transmitted or stored.

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