Iceland is not just about the northern lights and the volcanoes and the puffins and the igloos and restaurants. Although there is no denying that tourists from across the globe trot to Iceland just to witness these charms with there own eyes, but lately Iceland has also earned its own name for the Iceland casinos. The Iceland casinos invite its tourists for once so that take back a lifetime of good memories and experiences with them. Iceland also is known as the island of fire and ice is famous for awesome activities and attractions like whale watching, blue lagoon, Spectacular Geysers, Aurora Borealis, Landmannalaugar Nature Reserve, Maelifell Volcano & Myrdalsjökull Glacier Park and many more. Island casinos are only another feather to the hat of the tourism of Iceland.
Legal Landscape of Online Gambling in Iceland
Icelanders have long enjoyed placing bets and playing casino games, with the first national gambling legislation (The Lottery Act) being introduced way back in 1926. The Lottery Act stipulated that any and all gambling activities (and specifically participation in offshore lotteries) be made illegal in the country, unless conducted with a state-supported operator. Although this legislative framework was later amended in 1933, there have only been a few licenses issued to operators in the many years that have followed.
Generally speaking, legal gambling is only permitted via the state monopoly-supported providers as outlined in the Lottery Act – at present, these include the University of Iceland and Islandsspil. In Iceland today, the only forms of domestic gambling considered legal and above board in accordance with the Act are sports pools, scratch cards and electronic gambling machines like slots, with the latter being legalised as far back as 1994. Other legal forms of Icelandic gambling include state-supported lotteries such as the Euro jackpot, National Lotto and Viking Lotto. So, despite having a long and rich history of gambling as a form of entertainment, Iceland is home to some of the strictest gambling regulations in the world, as dictated by the Icelandic Gambling Act. This means that if you’re planning on applying for a gambling licence in Iceland as an operator, you are likely to face considerably stricter regulations than almost anywhere else in Europe. The process of putting an application forward in the country can be time-consuming, expensive and prohibitive, especially when compared to neighbouring countries and jurisdictions on the continent.
The Icelandic government’s relatively prohibitive stance towards casino gambling seems to be rooted in the reduction of problem gambling and its associated social harms, as well as an attempted reduction of revenue ‘leaking out’ of the country to offshore providers. However, the legal gambling landscape in Iceland is not as cut and dry as it may first appear. This is because it may still be legal for Icelandic players to participate in offshore online casinos, as long as the platform in question accepts players from the country. This is mainly due to the fact that online casinos are not as explicitly regulated as other forms of gambling in the country, despite casino gambling remaining illegal. Essentially, this means that Icelandic players can certainly access offshore casino sites in a kind of legal grey area, whereas playing with domestic online or land-based casinos is still wholly prohibited.
Criteria for Selecting the Best Online Casinos
Because it is illegal to play the vast majority of casino games with domestic operators in the country, Icelandic gambling enthusiasts may have to search further afield to access the games they enjoy. Unfortunately, this means that gamers typically have less protection from unscrupulous or unfair gaming operators, who may be based in far-away countries. As a result of this potential vulnerability, it’s crucial that gamblers choose their playing platforms wisely to avoid losing out. It would be best to turn to experts who are dedicated to this topic in moments like this. Begin by exploring the list of reliable online casinos, all of which guarantee a secure and enjoyable gaming experience. If that is not enough, then future players should educate themselves on how to recognize a good casino platform. Let’s examine just three ways that Icelandic casino gamers can select the best platforms and ensure their safety and security when playing online:
- Check Licensing Status Thoroughly: Although it may not be possible to find an online casino licensed in Iceland, it’s essential that you always choose a platform that holds a relevant license within its operatory jurisdiction. By electing to play with an unlicensed casino in any country, you will considerably increase the chances of falling foul of an unscrupulous operator. Generally speaking, it’s best to go with a site that holds a licence from a reputable body, such as the Malta Gaming Authority or the UK Gambling Commission. A platform’s licencing status should be clearly displayed on the site, and can usually be found at the footer of the home page. If there’s no evidence of a proper licence, it’s always best to go with another site.
- Read Reviews & Do Your Research: In the same way that evidence of a gambling licence should always be a prerequisite when choosing a suitable site to play with, it’s also essential that you take reviews and recommendations on board, whether they be taken from users or expert casino comparison sites. By browsing site reviews, you should be able to easily identify whether or not an online casino is trustworthy and legitimate. Even if a potential playing platform is considered legal and licenced, user reviews could still illuminate undesirable elements that could sway your decision, whether they be related to excessive wagering requirements, withdrawal limits or poor customer service.
- Check Software & Games Catalogue: Finally, it’s always worth checking out the games catalogue that a site has to offer before you sign up or place any wagers. If a potential playing platform has a large and diverse range of game titles from industry-leading providers, it’s usually safe to assume that the site is safe, secure and reputable. This is because the best casino software and gaming developers only licence their products to reputable operators. Similarly, checking a site’s game selection is a great way to decide whether or not it will be compatible with your tastes and real money wagering range.
Top 5 Online Casinos In Iceland
Casinos are not legal in Iceland, however its not illegal to play in international casino sites in Iceland. The casinos have somehow made up for every warmth lacking in the atmosphere of Iceland. We have recently talked in another article about the fantastic Wild Sultan casino where Icelanders can legally play their favorite games for real money and get a generous welcome bonus. Now it’s time to see some other options. We tell you about the best Iceland casinos where you can win a fortune:
- Spin Palace: a casino that gives quickest withdrawal and deposit option and offers all casino games like Slot games, Blackjack games, Roulette games, online Poker, and Progressive Jackpots. Spin Palace Casino was first launched in 2001, and is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority – in over 20 years of operation, the platform has become best-known for its extensive selection of over 700 Microgaming titles (including more than 500 top slots), as well as its diverse array of live dealer games. Spin Palace Casino is also notable for its wide range of mobile games, which can be easily accessed on the majority of mobile devices. According to the trusted testing and standards body eCOGRA, the average payout percentage of Spin Palace Casino games stands at a respectable 95.65%.
- JackpotCity: licensed by the government of Malta, this casino site is one of the best sites ever. Boasting an extensive array of virtual games, mobile games and live dealer options, Jackpot City Casino was first established in 1998. The platform hosts plenty of popular Microgaming video slots and progressive jackpot slots, as well as classic table games such as blackjack, video poker and roulette variations; speciality games on offer at Jackpot City Casino include scratch cards, bingo and keno. The site is currently accessible in multiple languages including English, French, Spanish and German, and is approved as safe and fair by eCOGRA.
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Gaming Club Casino: one of those casinos that use the best software and is entertaining gamblers since 1993. Having been in business since the early days of the online gambling boom, Gaming Club Casino is well-known as a reliable source of entertainment for gamers based all over the world.
This reputable and longstanding platform is home to a variety of video poker games and table games such as blackjack, craps and baccarat. The site also currently hosts a superb selection of branded Microgaming video slots, such as Tomb Raider Secret of the Sword, Hellboy and The Dark Knight. - Ruby Fortune: offers a wide range of games with lucrative casino bonus for all its customers. As well as a generous range of bonuses for members both old and new, Ruby Fortune Casino provides access to an extensive range of instant play and mobile games, designed to suit every taste. This includes top titles from industry-leading casino software and gaming providers such as Microgaming, Foxium and Evolution Gaming. The platform also makes use of the latest SSL encryption technology to ensure that players’ data and finances remain safe and secure – this means that you can enjoy your favourite online casino games without having to worry about the security of your funds.
- Royal Vegas Casino: an award-winning casino that offers the highest amount of progressive jackpot among all. This internationally popular casino platform is accessible in multiple languages and provides its members with the opportunity to enter into potentially lucrative tournaments, as well as a wide array of top live dealer games. The site enables players to make deposits and withdrawals using a wide range of methods, and there is also a 24/7 live chat service to accommodate round-the-clock customer support. Royal Vegas Casino is generally considered safe, secure and reputable, however it’s worth noting that weekly withdrawals are capped depending on the amount you’ve previously deposited with the site. Despite this, Royal Vegas has been approved as a fair casino by eCOGRA.
These legal casinos have many popular slot machine games, roulette, blackjack, and online poker. If there is a particular game that you want to play, but you can’t find on any of these websites, you can continue your search here. You’ll also receive a no deposit bonus, so when you find the title you are looking for, you can play free of charge. People can try out these games online for free using the no deposit casino bonus that many casinos offer. People can make real money using these mobile casinos along with having some real fun.
Mobile App Casinos
The mobile app Iceland casinos are the best legal no deposit casinos because you can play for free and if you win, the casino gives you real money free to enter some other casino games. Doesn’t that sound amazing? You can play a number of multiple themed casino games and slot games in these casinos all free of cost and in turn, take home a good amount of real money along with a heartful of fun and memories. Start playing this instant with an exclusive 150% matched deposit bonus & 25 free spins. The site in question is an excellent portal for casino bonuses resources you can claim and play for free whenever you feel like gambling.
Most Played Casino Games In Iceland
Like the rest of the world, the most played online casino games in Iceland casinos remain to be the traditional games of poker, roulette, blackjack, and other slot games. If blackjack is the game you are best when playing, then you probably know that the Parlay Blackjack System strategy is one of the most extreme strategies you can use when playing this game. If you are new at blackjack, it is better for you first to improve your skills and master the game before using it. Since the Iceland casinos are international casinos that operate in the whole world likely, they offer all the similar games that regular casinos would offer only for a better bonus and reward. So next time you are in Iceland, do not forget to sign up with one of your favorite casinos and make memories.
The Future of Online Gambling in Iceland
Despite its relatively strict and prohibitive gambling landscape, Iceland is known around the world as a country for all seasons, which continues to attract plenty of international tourists every year. It’s thought that, if national gambling legislation is relaxed in the coming years, the positive economic benefits could reverberate into the tourism sector, which is already expected to accrue a sizeable total market volume of US$137.30m within the next 4 years. The addition of legal land-based casinos could provide a considerable boost to the travel and tourism sector, not to mention an extra revenue stream for the economy as a whole. This is compounded by the fact that Iceland’s online gaming market is in the midst of notable growth, with a projected market volume of US$2.35m expected within the next 3 years. Although domestic casino gambling remains illegal, there’s no doubt that residents of Iceland enjoy playing casino games online, with the majority of revenue being generated by offshore operators. This is unfortunate for the Icelandic government, which has attempted to prohibit casino gambling with the intention of retaining revenue in a domestic monopoly. If the level of interest, market penetration and revenue generation in the wider online gambling industry continues to flourish and increase, it’s highly likely that the Icelandic government will reassess its priorities, especially related to the regulation of online and land-based casino gambling. In the meantime, it’s essential that casino enthusiasts based in Iceland continue to exercise caution when playing online in order to avoid falling foul of the law or losing out to unscrupulous offshore operators.
