Iceland Legal Stance
The online gambling history of Iceland is not quite as progressive as we'd want it to be. It started quite promising back in 1926 when Iceland became one of the first to approve the Lottery Act.
Then in 1933, amendments were made to the act to allow the University of Iceland to have its own lottery with the clause that 8% of the proceeds must go towards the University's purse. The legal lotteries continued to expand, and in 1972, pool-based sports lotteries were added to the mix. Making it the first form of sports betting available within the country.
The first land-based casino slots got approved in 1994, and they are still available and quite popular today. These slot machines are legal with the clause that all proceeds go to charity.
In 2004 European Lawmakers made some noise in regards to the ban on foreign lotteries within the region, after which it became allowed for tickets to be sold as long as proceeds went towards a good cause.
And in 2016, the 1940 Criminal Code was updated with the addition of articles 183 and 184. These additions made it illegal for residents to partake in gambling or betting activities professionally.
No legislation regarding online gambling or playing games at foreign-operated gaming sites exists. Read more about gambling regulations in Iceland.
Latest AML and Deposit limits
Considering that Iceland has no regulated market, there are no limitations on how much you can deposit or withdraw at online casinos. This means the deposit and withdrawal limits will be determined by the online casino and the payment methods you choose.
It's recommended to look at the minimum and maximum limits at the site you're considering before registering. The best online gaming sites will have lenient limits catering to all players' levels.
Characteristics of Icelandic online casinos
When it comes to online casinos for Icelandic players, finding the right site for you can be challenging, considering there is no local legal market. That being said, there are many foreign operators catering to Icelandic players.
Here is a criteria list of things you can expect to find in a top Iceland online casino:
Language and currency
One of the first things you'll note is that not all foreign sites provide gameplay in your local language or currency. A top-rated Iceland-focused online casino will provide you with the opportunity to enjoy gameplay in your local language and fund your account using Icelandic Krona.
It may not seem like a big feat. Still, when it comes to reading terms and conditions or making payments, these can greatly affect your entertainment or the difficulty of navigating/understanding the rules, requirements or conditions. Playing surrounded by the familiarity of your currency and language makes it a little easier.
Licensing check
While these sites will not have a license from a local gaming authority, it is very important that the site carries licensing. Playing with an unlicensed site can lead to frustration or potentially dangerous situations, and without local government protection, you have no legislation to back you.
Thus, finding a site that carries licensing from a reputable authority like the UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, or the Government of Curacao is important. Ensuring it puts player safety first with the latest security measures and responsible gaming tools in place.
Reliable customer service
Whether it's your first time or you've been playing for a long time, you want to know that there is always access to reliable customer support. If you ever run into a glitch or need assistance, you need that solid support system that will be ready to help you with whatever problem you're facing.
The best Icelandic online casinos will have a first-class customer support team available to assist with all questions and queries 24/7. Ideally, this is the type of site you want to be playing at, knowing that you'll always have access to support no matter the time of day or night.
Secure banking methods
Another important factor to look out for is the types of payment methods the operator has available. As a player from Iceland, you want access to secure and trusted payment methods you are familiar with. The top Iceland online casinos enable you to make quick, safe and efficient transactions via the best payment methods. This includes Visa, MasterCard, Neteller, Skrill, and Flykk.
Gaming on the Go
In this modern age, there is nothing keeping you from enjoying all the best games while on the move. The majority of top-rated Icelandic online casinos run on the latest HTML5 technology. They are completely mobile optimised, running smoothly across all Android, iOS and Windows mobile devices.
When you're playing via your mobile device, you'll get to enjoy all the best casino games in Iceland or portrait mode. The games adapt to your screen size to ensure an optimal experience. The mobile journey comes with the best promotions, great game variety, secure payment methods and around-the-clock customer support.
Most sites are instantly accessible via your mobile browser; some have mobile apps that can be downloaded via your Google or iOS app store.
Iceland Online Casinos Summary
For players passionate about online casino gambling, there are many online casino sites in Iceland that can excite the gameplay. For example, some of the best online casinos to play for real money are Casumo and Betsafe. Those are not only leading brands internationally but also great platforms for online gambling experiences suitable for players in Iceland.
Take advantage of all of our lists of recommended casinos here on CasinoWow, and try your luck at a reputable and licensed online casino.