Current Legal Status
Prostitution and the operation of brothels is illegal in many countries, though known illegal brothels may be tolerated. In many countries where brothels are officially illegal, the laws are ignored; brothels in such countries may be tolerated and regulated by authorities. Such situations exist in many parts of the world, but the region most often associated with these policies is Asia. Such brothels often operate disguised as legitimate business, such as massage parlors, saunas or spas.
In other places, prostitution itself is legal, but most activities which surround it (such as operating a brothel, pimping, soliciting in a public place) are prohibited, often making it very difficult for people to engage in prostitution without breaking any law. This is the situation, for example, in the United Kingdom and in France.
In a few countries, prostitution and operating a brothel is legal and regulated. The degree of regulation varies widely by country. Most of these countries favor brothels, at least in theory, as they are considered to be less problematic than street prostitution. In parts of Australia, for example, brothels are legal and regulated. Regulation includes planning controls and licensing and registration requirements. Brothels are not permitted to advertise and there are other restrictions. However, the existence of licensed brothels does not stop illegal brothels from existing. According to a report in the Daily Telegraph (Australia), illegal brothels in Sydney now outnumber licensed operations by four to one; according to a 2009 report, in Queensland only 10% of prostitution happens in licensed brothels, the rest remains either unregulated or illegal.
The Netherlands has one of the most liberal prostitution policies in the world, and attracts sex tourists from many other countries. Amsterdam is well known for its red-light district and is a destination for sex tourism. Germany also, has very liberal prostitution laws. The largest brothel in Europe is the Pascha in Cologne, Germany.
Although the Dumas Hotel in Butte, Montana operated legally from 1890 until 1982, brothels are currently illegal in the United States, except in rural Nevada; prostitution outside these licensed brothels is illegal throughout the state. All forms of prostitution are illegal in Clark County, which contains the Las Vegas–Paradise metropolitan area.
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