Countries That Forbid Crypto Casinos (Unless Anonymous)

There are many countries that tries forbidding crypto casinos and sometimes they succeed, but less so with the anonymous ones.

Even Putin knows that nobody can ban Bitcoin successfully. That doesn’t stop countries from trying to ban or forbid usage. Crypto Lists decided to study and evaluate how it works in 7 major countries where online gambling often goes under the radar and is considered illegal. You will also learn ways that people use to access the content in regions with poor connection, or where laws are particular strict.

Some people in restricted jurisdictions use anonymous browsers such as Tor instead of Chrome or Safari, while others think that VPN solutions are more efficient for gambling online. In this article, Crypto Lists also discuss IP blocking, problems with connectivity and possible solutions, along with prohibitations based on religion reasons.

Countries that try to block Bitcoin casinos

Many countries impose restrictions on online casinos in one form or another, but Bitcoin casinos often operate in a different realm. Unlike fiat transactions, crypto transfers are inherently decentralized, making them far harder to regulate or block. Governments can restrict banks from processing payments in Euro, USD, CAD, AUD, GBP or any other currency to online casino sites, but how do you control transactions on the blockchain? The answer is: it’s nearly impossible.

Unless a government has direct control over a specific blockchain—a scenario that would likely erode trust among players and investors—crypto casinos remain accessible, even in highly regulated regions. This unique characteristic is one of the reasons Bitcoin casinos continue to thrive in jurisdictions where traditional gambling platforms face significant barriers.

China: Covid Moved The Market Online

It’s been confirmed by recent studies that Mainland Chinese players started to gamble online way more since Covid-19. Before the Covid outbreak, it was mainly land-based casinos that Chinese people went to and spent a long time on. Since 2020, the online market for casinos have grown significantly for the inhabitants in the most populous country in the world. The most famous publication from the Department of Centre for Gaming and Tourism Studies at Macau Polytechnic University, concluded the following:

“A considerable number of participants opted for web-based platforms over traditional land-based casinos (in Macau), resulting in reduced budgets, less time spent on gambling, and decreased participation in social gambling. Remarkably, there was a notable surge in online gambling, indicating a noteworthy adaptability of gamblers to changing circumstances”.

Unfortunately, crypto gambling habits is not discussed in the full report about this topic. But Jinquan Zhou, Hong Wai Ho and Chi Biu Chan concluded an increase in casino gambling among the younger generation. The report also confirm earlier findings, such as males are more likely to play (64.4% vs 35.6% for female), they have a higher eduction (75.1% have at least junior collegue, bachelor’s degree and above). A surprisingly high amount is also married (77.5%) among the online gamblers in this survey of 334 mainland Chinese.

Most of the Chinese that gamble don’t smoke and less than 7% plays really frequent (once a day), while many in the survey play maximum once a month (37.7%) or irregular (31.3%). The team from Macau Polytechnic University recommend better public health interventions in China and suggest a regulatory frameworks to respond to unprecedented challenges with online casinos. Perhaps it’s time for licensing in China in the upcoming decade?

“I’d not be surprised personally”, says Markus Jalmerot, co-founder of Crypto Lists.

Philippines cracks down

Gamblers moving between jurisdictions and licenses

Until recently, online casinos (with or without crypto acceptance) based in Philippines was trying to attract Chinese players. But it wasn’t popular among Chinese politicians according to Wall Street Journal and they faced pressure from Beijing.

In November 2024, it was announced in State of the nation address (SONA) 2024 that all Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporations (POGOs) or Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) and offshore casino operations operating from Philippines are scheduled to shut down on the 31st of December, 2024.

All existing licenses will be cancelled and this will affect many players from China, since that has been the biggest market for gaming companies licensed in Philippines.

So where will Chinese online casino players go now? Crypto Lists expects that most that intend to play online will either go to anonymous casinos or crypto casinos that’s licensed in Curacao or Anjouan.

“This is where most future players will go, starting no later than January 2025”, says Markus Jalmerot, Crypto Lists co-founder.

Some examples of sites that haven’t banned Chinese players yet include the fully anonymous LTC Casino that don’t offer any welcome bonus due to not logging any IP addresses from players. Another one is the popular Cryptorino which is another no KYC casino with great reputation after launching in the beginning of 2024. The Great Firewall in China is not always the easiest to break, but Express VPN, NordVPN and SurfShare are specially designed to work in China and circumvent the gambling disallowance in the country.

Risk warning: It should be noted that all forms of gambling are illegal in China, except the state-run lotteries. Authorities have intensified efforts to dismantle cross-border online gambling, but Crypto Lists expect them to focus on the wrong markets. (eg. Mainly Philippines which has been a rather small market globally, while Curacao and Anjouan has a way bigger market share). A recent collaboration with Cambodia (another small market that’s targeted by Chinas authorities) is described in an article on the English speaking China Daily.

India: Smartphones & Offshore Casinos

India has a complex relationship with gambling, deeply influenced by cultural, social, and legal factors. While gambling in public settings is often viewed with stigma due to traditional and religious values, there is a growing interest in crypto casino sites. This shift can largely be attributed to anonymity, convenience, and the rapid penetration of smartphones and internet connectivity.

While gambling laws are determined by individual states, most forms of gambling, including online casinos, are restricted. The best report about the Indian gambling market that we found comes from ENV Media.

A major questions for online casinos operating in India has been the connectivity. According to the Ministry of Communications, over 954 million people have access to Intrenet connection with minimum 2 Mbps speed, as per 31st of March, 2024. The most connected areas of India seems to be Delhi with 68% connectivity, followed by Kerela (56%). Meanwhile, only around 40% – 6.3 million out of 15,570,800 in Kolkata – has access to Internet and without that, you cannot play on any crypto casinos.

The rise of cryptocurrencies has opened up new opportunities for Indian gamblers to access offshore platforms since that form of deposit is not automatically considered gambling with the official local currency: The Indian Rupee (INR). It’s been noted that Indian casino players enjoy to deposit with Indian Rupees instead of crypto and that lead us into offshore casinos. Usually, it’s only those located in offshore jurisdictions such as Curacao or Anjouan – or without a license – since licensing for crypto casinos still is in progress.

Casinos for Indians

Crypto casinos such as Betfury with their generous bonuses and active live chat attract many Indian players. Those that already have crypto tend to enjoy playing at LTC Casino which is without any KYC required. Their huge range of live casino games such as my own favorite Lightning Roulette, or some of the typical Indian games such as Teen Patti and Andar Bahar.

Another popular site is BC Game that accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, XRP, SOL, AVA, DOGE, BNB, AVAX and another 20+. It’s also the most localized casino for the Indian market since the website comes in 6 recognised languages for this market: Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, and Undu. Not bad right? Visit BC Game now to learn more.

The best VPN for Indian crypto gamblers
Nord VPN is the most all-round Virtual Private Network (VPN) for the Indian market, since they cover 8 different languages. They offer its interface in Hindi, making it accessible for Hindi-speaking users. Nord VPN has support in Bengali, catering to users in West Bengal and Bangladesh, but don’t have it as a language option yet.

They also have Marathi in its language options, beneficial for users in Maharashtra and Mumbai. Further, Nord VPN also cater to users in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with Telugu language, and Gujarati language support, suitable for users in Gujarat. There is also a Nord VPN Urdu interface, accommodating Urdu-speaking users across India, and support for Tamil, Kannada and Odia as well. Obviously, they also have English language support and interface.

Crypto makes it difficult to track
The decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin makes it difficult for Indian authorities to track transactions, further fuelling the trend. India’s burgeoning middle class and growing internet penetration have made online gambling a booming market. A study from September 2024 by the All India Gaming Federation noted that younger players, primarily aged 18–34, account for at leat 69% of all gamblers in India. Most of them access crypto casinos via VPNs and prefer platforms that don’t require identity verification. Crypto Lists expect that around 20-25% of all online gamblers in India have used crypto at some point for deposits.

Risk warning: Although India lacks a unified regulatory framework for gambling, players that use Indian Rupees (INR) can face legal challenges if caught. Recent discussions about introducing regulations for online gaming may extend to crypto casinos, potentially bringing new compliance requirements. Currently, it’s probably safer to exchange from INR to crypto before playing at any online casino – and to choose on that only accept crypto since it’s more likely that there will not be the same potential punishment (fines) as if playing with rupees.

Iran: No Gambling According to Sharia law

In Iran, gambling is strictly forbidden under Sharia law, making it one of the most restrictive countries regarding gaming activities. However, crypto casinos have quietly gained popularity among Iranians looking for anonymous alternatives to land-based and traditional online gambling platforms.

The Iranian government has taken a hardline stance against gambling, and they try blocking websites and prosecuting operators – but it’s hard since none are based in Iran. Another problem for Iranians are cryptocurrency’s decentralized nature, making it difficult to enforce these restrictions on crypto casinos.

As of December 2024, the government has announced some crypto-friendly policies, though not pertaining to gambling.

Which online casinos are used the most among Persian crypto gamblers?

It’s really hard to estimate since there is limited data and not many have Iranian language. Websites like LTC Casino and Casino Punkz have become popular among Iranian players, as they allow access without revealing personal details or financial histories. Two others with similar approach is called BetPlay and Blockspins. None of the above have Persian language offered, so in that sense, they cannot be considered to target Iran even if they don’t forbid players from this country.

Interestingly, many Iranian gamblers are highly educated, reflecting trends observed in other restrictive countries. The country’s economic difficulties, compounded by sanctions, have also pushed some citizens toward gambling as a perceived shortcut to financial gains. Obviously, it’s very risky to think like that and it’s way safer to work harder instead of playing on gambling sites, which is highly based on luck (with the exception of skill games).

Iran has strict laws and measures in place to prevent gambling, both online and offline. These measures are rooted in Islamic law (Sharia), which considers gambling to be haram (forbidden). Here’s how Iran enforces its anti-gambling stance:

How is gambling prevented?

The Cyber Crime Code, signed into law in 2017, addresses cyber gambling offenses. Specific penalties are determined by relevant chapters of the Iranian Penal Code, which prescribe imprisonment and fines for gambling offenses. The penalties for first-time online gambling offenders may be between 1 to 6 months imprisonment and 74 lashes, as stated in Article 705 of Iran’s Islamic Penal Code. It’s similar rules as in Afghanistan and based on Sharia law.

There are specialized units within the Iranian law enforcement, including the Cyber Police (FATA), that mainly target physical locations and individuals involved in gambling operations. The Iranian government also uses one of the world’s most sophisticated internet censorship systems, often referred to as the Halal Net. It attempts to blocks access to gambling websites, but they don’t succeed with all of them. Media campaigns warn of the financial and moral dangers of gambling (but seldom the online version), often portraying it as a source of family breakdown and social decay.

While limited right now, Iran sometimes seeks cooperation from foreign entities to shut down gambling operations that target Iranian citizens. However, this is less common due to geopolitical tensions. Iran has pressured payment processors to block transactions linked to gambling websites accessible to Iranian users. They also put pressure on Apple App Store and Google Play store that target Iranian users, requesting to remove or restrict usage for Persians. Players in Iran are often trying to find new VPNs to avoid restrictions.

Risk warning: Iranian authorities try to monitor internet activity and have been known to target individuals participating in online gambling. Players relying on VPNs and anonymous casinos must exercise caution, as penalties for gambling are severe.

Pakistan: Almost No Crypto Casinos in Punjabi or Urdu

Gambling, including online and crypto casinos, is illegal in Pakistan under the Prevention of Gambling Act of 1977. This law is deeply rooted in Islamic principles, which forbid any form of gambling as a vice. Despite these restrictions, Pakistan’s tech-literate younger generation has shown interest in crypto gambling, especially as cryptocurrencies gain traction.

Can crypto casinos be used by Pakistani gamblers? Studies suggest that most online gamblers in Pakistan access offshore crypto casinos via VPNs. These platforms’ anonymity makes them particularly attractive to users wary of legal repercussions. Some popular choices among Pakistani gamblers are Cryptorino, Spin Buffalo, and Blockbets, which offer user-friendly interfaces and accept various cryptocurrencies.

Until now, Pakistan’s authorities have largely focused on blocking gambling websites and monitoring banking transactions to limit gambling activities. However, crypto gambling poses a challenge due to its decentralized nature. So far, they have not been very successful in blocking and preventing decentralized Bitcoin casinos from being available to Pakistanis.

Risk warning: While gambling laws are strictly enforced, the rise of digital payments and cryptocurrencies may prompt the government to consider new regulations. Players should be cautious of potential penalties and scams, as Pakistan lacks robust consumer protections for gambling-related disputes.

Russia: Good At Blocking Gambling Sites

Russia is one of the most sophisticated countries in the world when it comes to blocking online casino websites. Often, it takes a matter or hours or days before an URL is blocked. For that reasons, anonymous casinos have adopted and changes the URLs more frequent than many change underwear. I kid you not.

As you probably already figured out, online casino gambling is largely illegal in Russia, but the demand for such platforms continues to grow, especially among younger tech-savvy users. Russia’s Federal Law “On State Regulation of Activities on Organizing and Conducting Gambling” strictly prohibits online casinos. It’s only allowed with gambling in specific land-based zones such as Yantarnaya (Kaliningrad region), Primorie, Azov-city (Rostov region) and Crimea according to Wikipedia. Additional info about gambling sanctions can be found on http://www.kremlin.ru/acts/bank.

However, the crypto market has provided a loophole for many Russian gamblers. During the pandemic, crypto gambling witnessed a surge in Russia, with anonymous platforms becoming increasingly popular. Dmitry Zhuravlev, an economist at the Institute of Regional Problems, explains:

“Crypto casinos operate in a legal grey area. While technically prohibited, their anonymous nature makes enforcement difficult.”

Interestingly, many Russian crypto gamblers lean toward platforms that offer no KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements. These include casinos licensed in jurisdictions like Curacao, which are beyond the reach of Russian regulators. Platforms such as such as Betfury with their generous bonuses, Rakebit with their daily cashback and BC Game that’s available in Russian have reported increasing traffic from Russia.

Risk warning: Russian authorities have begun cracking down on online gambling by blocking domains and prosecuting operators. They’ve also imposed fines on individuals participating in illegal gambling. Nevertheless, crypto casinos’ anonymity continues to attract users who seek to circumvent these restrictions.

Syria: Local online casino Ichancy busted

Gambling in Syria is entirely illegal under Islamic law, with no state-approved lotteries or exceptions. The country’s prolonged conflict and economic instability have made unlicensed gambling a sensitive issue, often linked to illicit activities. Those operating online casino sites from within Syria are at the biggest risk and in November 2024, the government of Syria arrested a 13 member group from Damascus that was running a website called Ichancy, North Press Agency Syria reports. All funds into the local gambling app from Ichancy was sent in Syrian Pounds (SYP).

The rise of cryptocurrency in the region has introduced some more tech savvy Syrians to crypto gambling. Anonymous casinos available in Arabic like Cryptorino and Bet Panda have gained traction, particularly among Syrians that understand well enough to not play on any local ones or those using VPNs to bypass restrictions. These sites allow players to deposit and withdraw funds in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other cryptocurrencies without leaving a trace.

Most online casinos are blocked
Internet Censorship is active in Syria. The government monitors and restricts internet access to certain types of content, including quite a few gambling websites but they don’t manage to catch a large portion of the no kyc ones. However, many old and established online casino sites are actively blocked, making direct access nearly impossible without bypassing restrictions.

Crypto gambling remains relatively small-scale in Syria compared to other nations, largely due to limited internet access and economic challenges. Many VPN services do not operate in Syria due to the regulatory environment and low internet penetration. However, as the digital economy expands, anonymous platforms could see increased activity.

Risk warning: Gambling laws are strictly enforced, and the government actively monitors internet usage.

Afghanistan: Forbidden under the Taliban

In Afghanistan, all forms of gambling, including online and crypto casinos, are strictly prohibited under Islamic law (explained here). The nation’s legal framework is deeply rooted in Sharia, which unequivocally forbids gambling activities.

The Afghan legal system integrates Islamic, statutory, and customary laws. The 2004 Constitution of Afghanistan, which was in effect until 2021, declared Islam as the state religion and mandated that no law could contravene Islamic tenets. Consequently, gambling is illegal, and engaging in such activities can lead to severe legal repercussions.

Following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, the enforcement of Sharia law has intensified. The Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islamic principles includes a total ban on gambling. Authorities actively monitor and suppress any gambling-related activities, both offline and online. How good they are at finding illegal crypto gamblers remains unknown by Crypto Lists.

Crypto Gambling Trends

Despite stringent prohibitions, there have been reports of individuals attempting to access online crypto casinos using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass internet restrictions. However, the Taliban’s regime has enhanced surveillance and control over internet usage, making such endeavors highly risky.

Risk Warning

Engaging in any form of gambling in Afghanistan, including through crypto casinos, is illegal and subject to harsh penalties under Sharia law. The current government enforces these laws rigorously, and individuals found participating in gambling activities face severe consequences.

Official Documentation

For detailed legal texts and official documents regarding Afghanistan’s laws, including those related to gambling prohibitions, the Afghanistan Law Database provides comprehensive resources. https://law.acku.edu.af/

Reasons why you can’t play at casinos in some countries plus solutions

There are an awful lot of places where legitimate crypto casinos are simply not welcome. Here are the most common reasons:

–IP blocking: Several countries use IP blocking, which makes forex trading impossible unless you have a good VPN. A favorite for being able to “choose” which country you’re browsing from is called NordVPN, while Surfshark or Privado VPN are some other VPN favorites among casino players that has been restricted to play and would like to revolt.

There is one VPN called HotSpot Shield that provides its services in various languages and is known for its fast connections, making it a viable option for users in the Middle East. Private Internet Access is available in 20+ languages and offers strong security features, making it a suitable alternative for users seeking privacy and accessibility to gambling sites in countries where it may be restricted. Another service that “just works” in most countries is called Express VPN. Then there is VYPR VPN which comes in 6 different languages during Crypto Lists test.

Another multilingual service with an affordable price is called Cyber Ghost VPN. Finally, both X-VPN (https://xvpn.io) and https://amnezia.org supports a variety of languages, including Arabic and Persian, across its mobile applications and official website, enhancing accessibility for users in the Middle East that like to play on crypto casino sites. The latter makes sure that you can access gambling resources blocked in your region or even create your own private VPN.

–Restrictions on how much foreign currency you can own: Countries like China, Nigeria, South Africa, Russia, Egypt, and Ukraine have rules on how much foreign currency you can own.

–Problems with connectivity: Several of the countries mentioned below have limited internet connectivity, or too slow WiFi to allow you to trade successfully.

–Prohibitions based on religion: Some countries with strict Sharia laws require that forex trading can be carried out without interest charges. If this is of interest to you, to pay higher fees for trading but never have any interest charges, you can see the top list of Islamic accounts for forex trading here.

–Unclear crypto rules? If the legal status of cryptocurrency is unclear, it can deter both players and operators from participating in crypto gambling. It’s a rather new phenomenom and many legal systems around the world have not adopted clear rules yet. Even the U.S is not there yet, and not until the 1st of January 2025 will EU have clear laws through MICA. In Asian countries and South America, it’s even more unclear crypto rules in some of the countries.

–No license for gambling? Crypto casinos may struggle to secure licenses in jurisdictions with vague regulations, limiting their ability to operate legally. If regulations change or remain ambiguous, existing licenses might not cover crypto transactions, putting operators at risk of penalties.

7 Ways players can get around it: VPN, No KYC and Starlink

It seems like there are quite a few different ways for players to get around restrictions. Countries that forbid online casinos often have slower internet connection than average western countries, do it because of religion or they simply don’t know/understand how to handle it. But players always find a way to play. Here are some of them.

Is Starlink available in your country?

Is your country not covered by Starlink (see map). On the map you can easily discover if Starlink can be used in your region. However, some countries haven’t given license to Starlink yet, such as India and some other south Asian countries. Using a suitable VPN can sometimes be a good way to fend off any potential limitations because Starlink will have to follow local regulations anyway to continue operations.

5 Casinos That Doesn’t Ask For Any KYC

One way that players use to get around bans and restrictions is to play on casinos that never ask for any form of KYC. Below are some of them:

Spin Buffalo – North American Players love this site. It’s probably created by some American sitting abroad and it appeals to players that like to have a good time and a great range of games.
LTC Casino – is open for global audience and 100% anonymous, which means they never ask for KYC. You can play from almost any country in the world, except North Korea.
Cryptorino – Generous cashback and no KYC is two of the things that stands out here. They have an amazing range of tournaments and bonuses, and enhanced cashback some days for games of the week.
Rakebit – One of the newest anonymous casinos have caught attention for their amazing design, daily cashback when others only offer weekly or monthly and a huge game library.
Bet Panda – A modern no KYC casino with excellent VIP program that can give up to 20% cashback for frequent players.

There are obviously 25+ others as well, and I guess that apart from the top 5 above, the website Crypto Games IO, Blockspins or Anonymous Casino – could also be seen as sites accepting players from some of the above countries.

Using The Tor Browser and Onion Routing

The Tor network allows anonymous browsing by routing traffic through multiple servers. It’s a way to play on casinos anonymously, but it’s a risk that the current routing goes through a blocked country on your chosen gambling site. While it’s easy to download Tor (https://www.torproject.org/download/), it’s hard to know which country your IP will come from.

Risk warning: While Tor can help avoid detection, authorities may still try to monitor Tor usage, as it’s often associated with illegal activities. So perhaps it’s better to just use a VPN and choose a specific country that works for the casino site you like to use.

Do You Need A VPN Connection?

You are not able to play on crypto casinos from some countries, so it’s not a matter of need or not – it’s a personal matter what you would like to do.

Players Open Offshore Gambling Accounts

How it works: Some players open accounts with offshore gambling websites that operate outside their country’s jurisdiction.

Risk: Financial transactions with these sites could be blocked or flagged by banks, and winnings may be difficult to withdraw due to legal restrictions.

Gambling on open minded crypto casinos

There are quite a few crypto casinos that’s basically (other word) just a fiat casino with some additional crypto deposit options. They usually don’t accept players from any of the countries mentioned above. It’s only the pure crypto casinos aka the open minded ones that accept gamblers from jurisdictions that tend to forbid online gambling by religion, laws or simply choice. But where can you look?

Well, some of the open minded ones include Gamix Casino for example.

Relocating Temporarily (Digital Nomad Approach)

How it works: Some individuals physically relocate to countries where online gambling is legal. Risk: This is costly and impractical for most, but for long-term gamblers, it may be a viable solution.