ARF finds 61% of online gambling sites illegal, with junkets fuelling growth

Global online gambling is booming, although a major new analysis has found that about 61 percent of online betting sites are effectively operating illegally, especially in Asia, where junkets are playing an increasing role.

The 94-page report from the Asian Racing Federation examines a wide-ranging series of themes related to online gambling and the impact on gambling harm, licensed sports, and on sports integrity.

It also examines the role of Asia’s junket players, the growing “hybridization” of gambling sites and the proliferation of white label businesses.

The ARF report classifies the industry into three categories. The first are those sites that are regulated by the jurisdiction in which they are licensed to take bets and are therefore considered “licensed and regulated.”

The second is those that are licensed by a jurisdiction, but are under-regulated as they are taking bets from people located outside of those jurisdictions, where gambling is usually illegal. The third category has no license at all.

In its analysis of 534 global betting sites in 61 jurisdictions, it found that less than 40 percent were actually classified as licensed and regulated, meaning the majority are effectively illegal, especially those operating in Asia’s gray markets.

Source: https://agbrief.com/intelligence/16/05/2022/arf-finds-61-of-online-gambling-sites-illegal-with-junkets-fuelling-growth/