Fast Offshore

Sticking it to POGOs

Since liberalizing rules in 2016, the Philippines rapidly developed as a massive hub for online gambling, especially as a strategic base for firms to target customers in China. At their height, Philippine offshore gambling operators (yep, POGOs) employed over 300,000 workers who came over from China. Wanting a piece of the action, especially to recuperate revenue lost during the pandemic, the government raised taxes and introduced tighter regulations, which ultimately pushed many firms abroad.

China, which has a no-gambling policy for citizens*, has pressured the Philippines to go further and shut down the market entirely. And POGOs took a major reputational hit when the Philippines National Bureau of Investigation last year found a "clear link" between them and criminal activity including human trafficking. On Monday, the Philippines justice ministry cited criminal activity as justification for the crackdown, even if it means sacrificing income:

• The Philippines made 7.2 billion pesos ($122.21 million) in 2020 and 3.9 billion in 2021 from POGO fees, and significantly larger sums from taxes, workers' disposable income, and office rentals. In addition to shutting down 175 operators for expired or revoked licenses and non-payment of government fees, 40,000 Chinese workers will be deported.
• Real estate firm Leechiu Property Consultants estimates a POGO industry exit from the Philippines would create 1.05 million square meters of vacant office space (one-third of NYC's Central Park) and eliminate $151 million in annual rent.

*Exception to the Rule: A paradox: gambling is illegal in China, but it's also home to the world's biggest gambling hub. The special administrative region of Macau, the only place in the country where citizens can legally gamble, saw shares in its casino operators soar 13% Monday. On the weekend, the government said mainland travelers and group tours, shut out during the Covid pandemic, will return in November -- and the news from the Philippines wasn't exactly unwelcome, either.

Offshore online gambling is the most profitable e-commerces in the world.

Every day, 500 million US dollars are wagered worldwide through online casinos. There may appear to be a lot, but don’t be deceived – there aren’t so many in reality. There is always room for one more, if they are capable of being just slightly better than the competition.

Imagine that daily only 1% is managed by you.

If a casino‘s profitability is above 10% – erring on the side of caution – just imagine its daily income and the rate of return on investment.

Offshore online gambling has proven to be an incredibly popular and profitable business model. With the rapid expansion of the industry, several governments around the world have put in place a regulatory framework to facilitate the licensing of online gambling.

However, online gambling (casino, black jack, betting, etc.) is considered a prohibited activity in various countries. In around 35 countries in the world, online gambling is prohibited by law. Thus, the majority of gambling licenses are issued by the governments of “offshore countries”.

In general, obtaining an online gambling license is a complex process that involves meeting a variety of requirements before the relevant authorities approve the granting of that license.

It is common practice for the payment establishments (Skrill, PayPal, Payonner, etc.) which collaborate with offshore companies in possession of a gambling license to freely enable them to block clients’ payments arising from certain territories.

The most ethical and legal structure for the development of such activity consists of:

• The creation of an online gambling company (Casino, betting and lotteries).
• A choice of well-qualified directors.
• The technology platform must be in an offshore country which supports online gambling.
• Choose an appropriate offshore jurisdiction (a jurisdiction where gambling is not prohibited).

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International

In an industry that is booming and shows no time of slowing, the time to invest in a gaming business is now. But where do you start from?

Since the gaming industry is a regulated one, acquiring a licence can be a lengthy process. These are the top five countries to look into before launching your online gaming operations: Here we will discuss the range of benefits of acquiring a gaming licence in our top five ranked countries can bring about.

All countries are given a rating from 1 star to 5 (1 being the lowest, 5 the highest). The overall rating is based on 5 criteria:

• Tax advantages each country offers
• Safety and player protection
• Ease of doing business, which ranks economies from 1 to 190, with first-place being the best. A high ranking (a low numerical rank) means that the regulatory environment is conducive to business operation. 
• Talent pool with potential job candidates
• Cost of maintaining a certain standard of living represented through graphs by presenting the distribution of expenses (source: Numbeo)

Offshore Online Casinos in Canada

If you’ve ever played online casino games, you’ve likely already heard about offshore casinos. The term is flown around a lot, but many don’t understand what it means exactly.

So, what is an offshore online casino? How is it different from a regular online casino? Should you join one and, moreover, can you? The answer is usually quite simple and very positive.

Software

Every great online casino has a great software developer behind it. Researching the software employed by offshore casinos is therefore necessary.

Online casinos that use a range of software providers are incredibly advantageous. In many of these casinos, you can play a wide range of games and have the best possible experience no matter which part of the gambling system you use.

Ease of doing business:  ****

Ease of Doing Business in the Netherlands averaged 30.50 from 2008 until 2019, reaching an all-time high of 42 in 2019 and a record low of 25 in 2014. Curacao is a stable and thriving economy.

Best Offshore-Licensed Casino Sites

Here we have the top 5 online casinos that have met all our requirements and honestly, provided us with a great time while testing and reviewing each one. Of course, you should check all of these options and pick one that is the most suitable for you and your gambling preferences. Anyway, here are the best offshore online casinos:

• Very Well Casino
• Koi Spins Casino
• Lady Linda Casino
• Admiral Shark Casino
• Fortune Clock Casino

Cost of living in Kahnawake: ****

A single person monthly costs: 827$ (1,070C$) without rent. The cost of living index in Montreal is 32.45% lower than in New York. The cost of living in Kahnawake is 3% higher than Quebec's.

Bovada Casino

Formerly known as Bodog, Bovada has been a part of the fabric of online gambling in the US for more than 15 years. There was a period when Bovada was totally unlicensed, but now it holds an e-Gaming license issued by the Government of Curacao.

Bovada offers a range of slots and Hot Drop Jackpots. In addition, it has multiple RNG roulette, blackjack, and video poker variants. You’ll also find baccarat, andar bahar, casino poker, teen patti, keno, and virtual bingo, among others. Fans of live dealer games have a choice between blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and Super 6.

On the bonus front, new players can claim three 100% up to $1,000 deposit match bonuses (on their first 3 deposits). The wagering requirement is 25x the deposit and bonus amount, which is a little higher than most US-regulated casinos. Another option at casinos like Bovada is to deposit using Bitcoin as a payment method. This boosts the bonus to 125% up to $1,250 on each of your first three deposits.

Site security is on par with other operators. Bovada use SSL encryption software as well as reCAPTCHA. Like all offshore casino sites, Bovada has its strengths and weaknesses, but its overall package is respectable.

Other Offshore Casinos That Accept UK Players

There are a lot of offshore-licensed casino sites that are available right now. Here we would like to recommend more of them. If you like gambling at various sites and like using bonuses at each one, make sure you check the first 5 options and these additional ones. Each one is a safe and reputable gambling site where you can play games without any worries.

• Slots Charm Casino
• Tropic Slots Casino
• Kaboom Slots Casino
• Royal Oak Casino
• Agent No Wager Casino

Are US Friendly Casinos Legitimate?

Yes. These offshore casinos are all legally sanctioned and regulated by their presiding governments. This legal licensing and regulatory oversight comes with strict expectations to maintain high standards of professionalism, fair gaming practices and ethics. These offshore casinos are held accountable by the governments that regulate them. Legitimate offshore casinos have established themselves as reputable businesses and are accustomed to working with US bettors.

How Do I Know If Offshore Casino Games Are Fair?

Casino games utilize a combination of luck and skill. One of the biggest concerns for online casino users (and rightly so) is if the games are fair. Part of our offshore casino verification process is ensuring the casino holds compliance certifications for RNG (Random Number Generator) technology audits and fair gaming practices.

The sites also use industry leading software solutions that minimize any questionable use of the site. It is in these casinos’ best interest to ensure there is fair gaming so they can maintain their positive reputation within the online gambling industry.

These RNGs use algorithms to issue random number sequences, or whatever value is being used for a particular online game. RNGs are subject to inspection from gambling authorities to ensure fair gaming is taking place and there hasn’t been any tampering. RNGs are used throughout the online gambling industry and establish credibility.

They are known for their reliability and their frequent inspections show the casino’s willingness to keep fair gaming consistent. RNG technology is also used in the gaming machines at brick and mortar casinos throughout the United States.

To learn more about the casino sites listed in our guide see our offshore gambling reviews page where we go into detail about each sites pros and cons.

What Kinds Of Games Can I Play At Legal Offshore Casinos?

The legal offshore casino options we’ve suggested offer several different games for users. There are the standard games like slots, blackjack (with several different versions), video poker, table games like roulette and baccarat, and more. There are also specialty games that vary per offshore gambling site. Each gambling site has its own games and policies, so be sure to browse the available games included in the menu at each casino you are considering playing at.

Advanced technological features have been integrated into the industry’s leading software solutions to ensure an aesthetically pleasing experience through rich, 3D dynamic graphics and state of the art digital sound.

What Are Online Casino Bonuses?

Part of what separates these online casinos from brick-and-mortar destinations are the bonuses offered. Bonuses are essentially free money that is tacked on to your online casino account. There are all types of bonuses and they are offered throughout the year. Most offshore casinos will grant you a welcome bonus at the time of your first successful deposit.

In most cases, the bonuses are offered through a match deposit structure, which means the casino offers to match a specific percentage of your deposit up to a designated maximum amount. It will look something like this: 400% match bonus up to $4000.

How Do I Deposit And Withdraw Money If A Casino Is Located Outside Of The US?

Just because a casino is located outside of the US doesn’t mean you aren’t able to deposit funds into your account, place bets and receive your payouts. These offshore casinos offer several US friendly deposit and payout methods including major credit cards, debit cards, money transfers and crypto (Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, and more). You can find more information on the financial side of these casinos in the section of our guide dedicated to legal offshore banking methods.

Do I Have To Worry About Currency Conversion At Offshore Casinos?

No. All of the premium offshore casinos we’ve suggested in this guide process all transactions in USD for American bettors. This means that you can deposit money using US dollars and receive your payouts in USD as well.

Can I Play Casino Games For Free At Offshore Casinos?

All of the online casinos that we recommend in this guide allow players to enjoy their casino games in free play mode. This is a great way for new players to become acclimated to the online betting environment, or for seasoned players to test out new betting or playing strategies without risking any real money wagers.

Do Offshore Casinos Offer Mobile Casino Apps?

Yes. The offshore casinos we’ve recommended all have mobile optimized versions of their casino software. The mobile casino apps function the same as the web versions and have the same security protocol, bonuses, games and RNG technology. The mobile versions allow you to never miss out on the action and work across a multitude of devices and carriers. You can place bets, play games and manage your account from your smartphone or tablet.

It is absolutely indispensable for casino establishments to hold a license in order to carry out their business with legal consent. This is to prevent any fraudulent activities and also to ensure customers about their security of information about their financial transactions. Most of the online casinos are holders of licenses provided by offshore authorities who operate from distant islands like Curacao, Malta, Costa Rica, Gibraltar, and so on. 

Regulations differ from one jurisdiction to another but are usually preferred by both business owners and customers. These offshore brands operate without GamStop restrictions that are usually imposed on local casinos. Among new gambling companies, several offshore and non GamStop casino sites listed on NonGamStopBets have gained popularity in recent years. Such that more and more UK bettors are choosing these over GamStop and UKGC licensed gambling sites.

Some of the noteworthy offshore gaming authorities include the ones owned by Costa Rica, Antigua and Barbuda, Gibraltar, Malta, and Curacao. Here Costa Rica is known for its amazing software to produce games that are an absolute favorite to punters worldwide. Curacao, which is known for its time-effective and cost-effective services, is perfect for entrepreneurs starting their new businesses regarding online gambling. Malta, which is known for excessive regulatory checks to maintain the utter authenticity of claims made by the sites registered under them, is perfect for already established businesses trying to spread their franchise. Gibraltar here provides amazing safety measures to the transactions taking place also by promoting safe gambling.

These casino sites holding offshore licenses offer an array of gaming choices including slots, baccarat, roulettes, poker, Bingo in addition to amazing VIP Clubs and Live Dealer choices. And these sites feature the best in class operators including Microgaming, NetEnt, Playtech, Play n’ Go and so on making it all a great experience.

Legality of Gambling Online at an Offshore Casino

It is not unusual for British players to feel a little strange when they place their first bets at an offshore online casino. The thrills and excitement feel great, but they can’t help feeling like they are doing something illegal. Leaving the country to get around its laws feels wrong even if the journey takes place in cyberspace, and why don’t these companies just get British gambling licenses if they really are legitimate?

It is perfectly normal to have these reservations if you are new to offshore internet casinos, but they are completely unfounded. Offshore casino operators are not regulated by the British authorities, but that doesn’t mean punters from the UK are breaking the law when they visit them.

Playing slots, Bingo or poker at offshore casinos is an exciting way to possibly win some money, and it is completely legal in the UK if you are over the age of 18. You won’t be able to complain to the Gambling Commission if you have a problem, which is why it is always a good idea to check our reviews for independent online casinos that provide excellent customer service.

Protection for Gamblers Prone To Gambling Addiction Is Available!

British casinos boast of supporting various security programs such as GamStop, GamBan, and GamCare. Although offshore casinos do not support these programmes, they provide better protection for gamblers and at-risk players by alerting players who are prone to gambling addiction through many methods.

In addition, these casinos send out a lot of awareness messages to the at-risk players to warn them about problem gambling. The second prong is to provide a set of support tools and assistance including a self-exclusion programme that includes capping the game session time, setting deposit and withdrawal limits, suspending the account, or permanently deactivating it. Offering these options is one of the most important licensing requirements imposed by offshore licensing commissions such as the Curaçao Gaming Commission, the Gibraltar Commission and the Malta Games Commission.

Tax Advantages:  *****

In Panama, gaming companies can enjoy complete tax exemption. Gaming operators, operating in Panama, can operate with a zero-rate of tax payable on outside revenue. Therefore, if you are operating a gaming company from Panama, you will not be required to pay taxes on revenue received from outside the country.

My state doesn’t offer online gambling. Is it safe to gamble at offshore sites?

There are in fact offshore casinos that are legitimate operations. But if safety is your primary concern, I suggest you steer clear of offshore gaming sites and hang on for legal and regulated sites to reach your state. This is true for online casino and poker players as well.

If you ultimately decide to take the risk of gambling offshore, make sure to do your research. There are a lot of gambling review websites promoting shady offshore sites because they pay higher commissions to be ranked highly. So stick with reputable watchdog sites like Safe Gambling and The Pogg when looking for safe gambling sites.

You Can Play Anytime & Anywhere!

In addition to mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, offshore casinos have systems that are compatible with all sorts of mobile devices. As an additional advantage to their players, many premium websites provide mobile applications, which you can install to your smartphone and immediately receive a free €5 no-deposit bonus to use on your favorite games. Of course, gaming sites in the United States do not provide any such offers! Furthermore, all of the games provided by the offshore casinos are powered by HTML5 technology, which allows all of the games to operate smoothly on mobile phones and tablets with no need to download a plugin in your computer to play them. In addition, you may play all of the games available free before placing real money bets on them and then real money.