Unusual Gambling Laws Around the World
Why You Can Bet on Camel Races—But Only If It’s Not Raining (and Other Legal Chaos from the Gambling World)
Too Many Slots? Jail
Let me just start by saying: the global gambling industry is absolutely feral. You’d think “casino laws” would be kind of boring—don’t cheat, don’t steal, don’t gamble your house away. But no. Around the world, lawmakers are out here playing their own game, and the rules range from confusing to “Are y’all okay?”
So if you’re into casino news that feels like it came from an alternate dimension, here are five of the weirdest, most “someone really passed this into law” gambling regulations around the world.
Monaco: Locals? Banned. Rich tourists? Step Right In!
Monaco, that sparkly playground for rich people who summer on yachts, is home to the iconic Casino de Monte-Carlo. But plot twist: Monégasque citizens—aka actual residents—are banned from gambling there. This law dates back to the 1800s, when Princess Caroline basically said, “You guys are too broke to risk it, but tourists? Come lose your euros, we love that for you.”
Citizens of Monaco, a city famous for its casinos, are forbidden by law from gambling
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— The Reveal (@thebestreveal) January 27, 2020
Locals can work in the casino or get a drink in the lobby, but if they try to touch the roulette table? Girl, no. Security will escort them out like a bachelorette party at the wrong strip club.
Japan: Pachinko—Not ‘Technically’ Gambling
In Japan, gambling is technically illegal… unless you’re playing pachinko, a pinball-adjacent arcade game that just happens to let you win tiny metal balls. Those balls can be traded for trinkets like a Hello Kitty lamp or an anime plushie. And THEN, across the street in a completely separate building (wink), you can “sell” those trinkets for cash.
The biggest Smash Bros tournament ever is hosted in Japan this year
Due to the country’s laws, the prize pool is $0 pic.twitter.com/pVHbJvypi4
— Dexerto (@Dexerto) March 13, 2025
It’s like gambling if gambling were dressed up in a school uniform and pretending to be a claw machine.
India: Camel Racing (But Only If the Vibes Are Dry)
India loves a good camel race—especially at cultural festivals like Pushkar, where camels are basically treated like celebrities. But here’s the twist: if it rains? The race is canceled.
Gambling on camel racing is banned in wet weather to protect the camels from slipping, falling, and becoming tragic desert memes. Honestly? Respect. But also—imagine flying in to place bets and being told, “Sorry, the sand is too soggy.” Incredible.
Singapore: Poker Night at Home Is Legal, But Don’t Get Fancy
Singapore’s gambling laws are tight, but here’s your loophole: social gambling is fine… if it’s in your house. So if you want to host a poker night in your friend’s living room, go for it. But rent a hotel room or event space? ILLEGAL. Same people, same game, different roof = crime.
The law basically says, “We don’t care what you’re doing, we care where your couch is.”
Canada: You Can Own Slot Machines, But Not Too Many
Canada used to force people to only place parlay bets on sports—aka bet on multiple things at once just to legally participate. Thankfully, that’s over. But don’t get too excited. If you’re a slot machine collector? You’re legally allowed three. Just three.
Any more, and you’re apparently a criminal running an underground online casino empire from your guest room. You might be wondering, well, what if I want a row of vintage slots for aesthetics? Too bad, besties. That’s jail time.
So whether it’s banning locals from their own casinos or canceling camel races because of wet sand, one thing’s for sure: the gambling world is messy. It’s like each country downloaded its own bet platform rules from a different simulation. But hey, at least it keeps the headlines interesting—and gives me something to yell about.
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