The Economics of Gambling
Gambling Around the World
How other countries handle gambling, from Macau's casino economy and the UK's licensed betting to US sports betting legalisation in 2018, and lessons for India.
Countries take different approaches to gambling.
Macau
A Chinese special region where casinos dominate the economy, the world’s largest gambling hub by revenue.
UK
Most gambling is licensed and taxed by the Gambling Commission, with online betting widespread.
US
In 2018, the Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on sports betting (Murphy v. NCAA), and many states legalised it.
Singapore
Allows two integrated resorts, but charges citizens an entry levy to discourage local gambling.
Lessons
- Regulation can protect consumers and raise tax.
- Bans can push gambling underground.
- Levies can target harm.
Singapore charges its citizens a fee to enter casinos, while tourists enter free.
Many countries license and tax gambling.
- Macau relies heavily on casinos.
- The UK licenses most gambling.
- US states legalised sports betting after 2018.
- Singapore uses entry levies.
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