A journey around the world can be the perfect getaway, and modern cruisers offer so many amenities they beat any other mode of transport for such a trip. World travelers seeking pleasure should be warned, however – by crossing national borders they may be subject to different rules regarding their online gambling activities. A simple act of accessing an online casino in Ontario could potentially be problematic if you do it from the wrong place.
Few people stop to think about such restrictions when they are booking a spot on a cruiser and catching their dream ride to an exotic destination. Still, some aspects of this situation could go awry and should be given advance consideration in case you would like to indulge in daily online play.
Summary of International Online Gambling Regulations
Each country sets its gambling laws based on its economic priorities and local customs, so in effect, the world is divided between separate jurisdictions with widely differing rules. In some places, online gambling is fully legal for all adults while some countries prohibit it outright. There are also middle-of-the-road solutions where only some forms of gambling are allowed, a limited number of providers have licenses, or there are restrictions on how iGaming sites can be advertised.
To stay in compliance with all the local laws, many casino sites indiscriminately block access from certain locations. Travelers who happen to be in those locations are thus temporarily prevented from accessing their accounts, even if they are citizens of approved nations. Because of this, it is highly recommended to check the exact details of gambling regulations before entering the territory of any country and to confirm that the website you intend to play at operates in the country.
Making Sure You Don’t Break any Laws
If your primary online gambling accounts are out of service, there is a strong temptation to find a workaround and access the gambling sites anyway. This can be achieved by obscuring your true location with a VPN solution, tricking the site into accepting the log in data. Some players also turn to unlicensed offshore websites that don’t apply any geographic limitations and accept everyone.
Illegal solutions of this kind are very dangerous and should be avoided. It’s not worth getting into trouble with the authorities in a foreign country over a little bit of online fun. Even worse, this could get you booted off your cruise and stuck in a location that you never intended to visit for longer than a few days. The expenses for accommodation, legal representation, and the eventual fine for your transgression could get astronomical, so it’s best to stay away from gambling websites while you are in a jurisdiction where such activities are not regarded with approval.
Withdrawing Cash in a Foreign Country
Another complication that sometimes arises for international players is how to withdraw money in a location they visit only for a brief time. Again, financial regulations around the world are a patchwork of rules and exceptions so your primary bank card might or might not work during a quick cruise stopover. Numerous online payment services are location-independent so transferring money out of your gambling account won’t be hard, but if you want cash in hand things could get tricky. In some cases, you can only get your money in local currency which is of little use if you are leaving soon.
The best solution is simply to leave the money sitting in the account until you return home, assuming you don’t need the funds urgently. Counting on gambling winnings to fund your cruise expenses (even partially) is a bad financial decision anyway, and you should bring enough cash with you when you embark. Still, asking your bank where exactly the card works might now be the worst idea so you can be prepared for any eventuality.
Is Online Gambling During an International Trip Too Much Hassle?
The answer to this question depends on the duration and route of your voyage, as well as your readiness to do your homework. Your favorite casino and sports betting sites may work normally on your trip, but you can’t just assume this. Some research is necessary before you can be sure what is allowed on the specific trip you are taking, and what could land you in trouble. You can easily find all the information on the web, or you can ask the cruise operator for advice.
You should also consider the available alternatives for gambling. Some international cruises have on-board casinos and other forms of live entertainment so you don’t even need to access online gambling platforms. The ship might also make a stop in a port of call where land-based gambling is available. Once you know your choices, you can plan your leisure activities for the entire journey and make sure that you always stay in sync with the local rules. That will give you complete peace of mind and allow you to relax and soak in the experience.