Gibraltar Bookmakers and Betting Sites
Gibraltar betting sites make up some of the most popular in the online betting world. Gibraltar betting is open to residents of “the rock”, but also many players across Europe and the world.
Gibraltar betting companies operate out of the British Overseas Territory because of low tax rates, but the excellent Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Authority also licenses them to cater to an audience far beyond the peninsula, which is the same as the Panama bookmakers situation.
With a host of top bonuses such as free bets, trusted bookmakers, and more, there is plenty to explore and like about these betting sites. Join us as we reveal all in this article.
- 1About Gambling in Gibraltar
- 2Is gambling legal in Gibraltar? What is the legal gambling age?
- 3How regulated is the Gibraltar gambling market?
- 4What is required to obtain a Gibraltar Regulatory Authority issued license?
- 5What currency and payment methods do Gibraltarian players generally use?
- 6Play at the best licensed sportsbooks in Gibraltar
- 7What are the best Gibraltar gambling sites and promotions?
- 8Does Gibraltar tax gambling winnings?
- 9The pros and cons of betting in Gibraltar
- 10FAQs: Your questions about betting in Gibraltar answered
- 11Join our top Gibraltar betting sites today
Top 10 Betting Sites for Gibraltar in 21 November 2024 – Updated List
About Gambling in Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a tiny British Overseas Territory with a little over 32,000 residents packed into just 2.6 square miles of land.
Despite the diminutive size, Gibraltar is a giant among gambling sites by country and in the online gambling industry.
The country began licensing and regulating bookmakers in 1998 and was one of the first jurisdictions to do so.
Under the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, Gibraltar has become one of the world’s largest centers of operations for online betting sites because of the favorable Gibraltar tax laws and inclusion on the UK’s “white list” make it a very attractive destination for internet gambling companies.
We often hear and see that bookmakers by country are “licensed and regulated” but each of these jurisdictions has varying levels of legitimacy.
Some areas have low thresholds for financial posture, regulatory enforcement, and low tax rates. These factors conspire to form a breeding ground for rogue operators.
While the Gibraltar tax laws are favorable, the requirements and standards that must be met in order to obtain a gambling license here are quite high. The vetting process is very thorough and the oversight is strict.
This all means that Gibraltarian gambling licenses are highly regarded and the online gaming sites that operate here meet or exceed the highest industry standards.
This keeps rogue operators from doing business here which is great news for online gaming aficionados.
Is gambling legal in Gibraltar? What is the legal gambling age?
How regulated is the Gibraltar gambling market?
Simply put, the Gibraltar gambling market is one of the most tightly regulated and closely monitored jurisdictions on the planet. A gambling license from Gibraltar is highly respected and proves that an online gambling company operates to the highest industry standards. The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority takes its mandate seriously, and they do not mess around.
As one of the most respected online betting authorities (besides Malta betting sites or Curacao bookmakers), the GBGA has a plethora of rules and regulations that an online betting website must adhere to if it wishes to obtain a license.
In many ways, these match those regulations set forth by the UK Gambling Commission. Indeed, the two licensing authorities work together and permit their respective populations the right to play at casinos and sportsbooks licensed by the other authority.
A typical Gibraltarian licensed sportsbook must adhere to the following rules:
- Provide responsible gambling tools for its players
- Refrain from offering unfair promotions, such as those with excessive wagering requirements
- Provide its players with the right to opt-out of promos and take self-exclusion periods
- Offer top-notch customer support (for free)
- Avoid charging excessive fees for deposits and withdrawals
- Have its games RNGs (random number generators) checked and certified for fair play
- Be regularly audited to ensure that it is not taking advantage of players
- Have completely transparent terms and conditions
Failure to adhere to these rules will see any Gibraltar licensed betting site fined and potentially have its license revoked. This would make it illegal for them to cater to players in Gibraltar, the United Kingdom, and many other markets.
What is required to obtain a Gibraltar Regulatory Authority issued license?
As you can see above, the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Authority implements strict regulations on any online bookmakers that wish to obtain one of its licenses. Bookies must adhere to all those terms and continue to do so if they wish to keep their license.
Even free bets are scrutinized to ensure that they are fair, without excessive wagering requirements, and give you a decent chance to win. Most reputable bookmakers in the world like Alderney bookmakers and Australia betting sites also comply to these rules. Arguably the most important requirement to obtain a GBGA license, though, is offering players the opportunity to gamble responsibly. This involves:
- Allowing players to set caps on what they deposit
- Letting players set additional limits on how often they play and how much they bet
- Having a timeout or “reality check” system, which tells players how long they have played and provide them with a complete and transparent history of their betting options
- Permitting players to self-exclude themselves from the site for a predetermined period of time or close down their accounts entirely
- Signing up to problem gambling programs and blocking access to players who are members of them
- Allowing players to opt-out of promotions and more
Again, failure to offer these most basic tools, and the other requirements listed in the previous section, will see a betting site lose its Gibraltar-issued license.
What currency and payment methods do Gibraltarian players generally use?
Play at the best licensed sportsbooks in Gibraltar
Of all the Gibraltar bookmakers out there, the top dogs amongst them do not just offer sports but also represent the best casino sites in Gibraltar, too. We have highlighted a few of the best bookmakers in Gibraltar below. Here are a few top online bookmakers that can help you get started:
What are the best Gibraltar gambling sites and promotions?
This jurisdiction is on the UK’s “white list” which means that Gibraltarian online gambling operators can offer their services to the lucrative market in the United Kingdom. It can also be safely assumed that any online casinos, for example Turkey bookmakers that operate out of a white-listed jurisdiction are very legitimate.
As could be expected, the best of the best online gaming companies hold Gibraltarian gambling licenses and many of these sites have some pretty nice promotions.
Betclic runs the ACCA insurance promo at their site, while William Hill, Betfair, Bet365, Casollo sports, all offer welcome bonuses, first deposit deals, and many have free sports bet offers, too. You can also find one-off specials, accumulator-based offers, redeposit deals, and casino offers, such as live casino €10 risk-free bonus promos at these giants of the industry.
Most licensed online bookmakers are forced to adhere to the GBGA’s strict terms regarding bonuses on sports bets and free stakes. This means that there are gambling limits on the bet credits you can receive, the qualifying bets required, as well as the qualifying bet settlement rules.
Aside from just qualifying deposit terms, these bookies also have to offer fair and transparent wagering requirements and clearly state how many bet credits you can stake (and win) with each offer. Ultimately, the promos at Gibraltar betting sites are arguably amongst the fairest around.
There are many more casino bonuses available for Gibraltarian online casino players. They are found in Gambling Judge’s promotions section, and they are all extremely easy to claim.
Does Gibraltar tax gambling winnings?
Gibraltar doesn’t tax gambling winnings but you should check your local tax laws to see if you need to declare them in your country. Online and land-based gambling establishment are taxed, as well as being forced to pay various fees.
It is not just Gibraltarians who can sleep easily without worrying about paying a gambling tax. In most countries (such as the UK and some Germany bookmakers) where gambling is regulated and fully licensed, you will not need to pay taxes, either. However, while there may be no taxes on free bet winnings paid out or on any bet transactions you make, the bookmakers do have to pay tax.
In the past, online bookies in Gibraltar had to pay a 1% tax on all income raised. This was dropped to 0.15% in 2018 and currently remains the case, according to the amendments to the Gambling Act of 2005. Moreover, that is capped at £425,000.
The pros and cons of betting in Gibraltar
Before engaging in gambling and betting activities in Gibraltar, check out these pros and cons.
PROS
- Free bets are available and regulated to be fair
- A plethora of betting markets await players in Gibraltar
- Gibraltar bookmakers are licensed, regulated and totally secure
CONS
- Not available for all European players
- Some GBGA casinos tend to feature small gaming libraries
FAQs: Your questions about betting in Gibraltar answered
If you still have questions about Gibraltar gambling sites, allow us to help below.
If the national betting and gaming association licenses them (or the UKGC does) and adhere to local laws and taxes, bookies are legal. Check our guide for the top 5 offshore sportsbooks if you want to play elsewhere, as these UKGC licensed sites are legal, too.
The GBGA has a contact service where you can file complaints via e-mail. However, you can only do this for Gibraltar gambling association licensed sportsbooks, not those based offshore.
Yes and no. Bookmakers catering to players in Gibraltar either need a license from the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association or the United Kingdom Gambling Commission.
There are so many top sports betting sites in Gibraltar that we could not say for sure. However, any of the top bookies and casino sites in Gibraltar listed above, such as William Hill, will fit the bill.
You can typically find free bets, welcome bonuses, one-off specials on specific sports and even loyalty deals in some cases.
Absolutely. PayPal is one of the most trusted payment providers available at sports betting sites in Gibraltar.
Of course. Most of the major bookies in Gibraltar permit live betting, and some even offer live streaming of events.
Join our top Gibraltar betting sites today
We have got all manner of top Gibraltar betting sites to offer you. If you want to play at the best sports betting sites in Gibraltar, snap up fair, free bets, and wager on top sports like football, tennis, or even the Olympic Games with minimal odds, then we are the place for you.
Check out our bookmakers by currency and look for Gibraltar licensed betting sites to get started. You can also seek out leading domains with our Find Your Bookmaker – The Complete Guide page. Either way, top bookies aplenty await you today, and we will help you find the perfect site for your needs.