All forms of gambling, including online gambling, are strictly prohibited in Brunei and subject to severe penalties.
Brunei enforces a zero-tolerance policy on gambling, with both locals and foreigners facing fines and imprisonment.
No licensing regime exists for any gambling operators; the government does not issue gambling licenses.
Recent regulatory actions include banning claw machines, classifying them as gambling under the Public Entertainment Act.
Gambling is prohibited under both secular law and Islamic Sharia law, with enforcement becoming increasingly strict.
There are no legal avenues for gambling, and authorities actively monitor and prosecute violations.
Taxation on gambling is irrelevant, as all gambling activities are illegal and unregulated in Brunei.
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Legislation
Primary Legislation
Gambling in Brunei is comprehensively prohibited under a strict legal framework that draws from both secular and Islamic law. The core statutes governing gambling activities are:
Common Gaming House Act (Cap. 28): This law serves as the principal legislation prohibiting all forms of gambling, including the operation of gaming houses and participation in gambling activities. The Act criminalizes organizing, managing, or being present in a gaming house, as well as any involvement in betting or wagering, whether in person or through any means, including online.
Public Entertainment Act (Cap. 181): This Act regulates public amusements and entertainment, and has been interpreted to include prohibitions on amusement machines with gambling elements, such as claw machines. Recent enforcement actions have invoked this law to ban such devices, reflecting the broad definition of gambling under Brunei’s legal system.
Syariah Penal Code Order, 2013: Brunei’s implementation of Sharia law provides an additional layer of prohibition, explicitly forbidding gambling as a criminal offense under Islamic legal principles. This code reinforces and expands upon the prohibitions found in secular statutes, ensuring that all forms of gambling are considered both illegal and religiously impermissible (haram).
Regulatory Authority
Oversight and enforcement of gambling laws in Brunei are the responsibility of several government bodies, working in close coordination:
Ministry of Home Affairs: This ministry is the primary authority for the enforcement of gambling prohibitions, including the regulation of public entertainment and the issuance or revocation of licenses for amusement devices. It also leads investigations and enforcement actions against illegal gambling activities.
State Mufti’s Office: This religious authority issues fatwas and legal opinions that inform and reinforce the secular legal framework, particularly in identifying activities or devices that may constitute gambling under Islamic law. The office collaborates with civil authorities to ensure that religious prohibitions are observed in public policy.
District Offices and Municipal Boards: These local government entities assist in the identification and enforcement against establishments or operators involved in prohibited gambling activities, ensuring compliance at the community level.
License Types
Gambling Licensing System in Brunei
Brunei does not operate any gambling licensing system for commercial or private operators. The country maintains a total prohibition on all forms of gambling, including both land-based and online activities. This prohibition is strictly enforced under national law and reinforced by religious decrees.
Types of Licenses Available
No licenses are available for any gambling activities in Brunei.
This includes commercial casinos, sports betting, lotteries, online gambling, and even amusement games with gambling elements (such as claw machines).
Application Process
There is no application process for gambling licenses in Brunei, as no such licenses exist.
Any business or individual attempting to apply for or operate gambling activities will be in violation of the law.
Duration, Renewal, and Eligibility
There are no licensing durations, renewal procedures, or eligibility criteria, as gambling licenses are not issued in Brunei.
Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements
No fees, costs, or financial requirements are set for gambling licenses, as the system does not exist.
Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining Licenses
There are no requirements for obtaining or maintaining gambling licenses in Brunei.
Businesses previously authorized for activities later deemed to have gambling elements (such as claw machines) have had their licenses revoked and are required to cease operations immediately.
Summary Table: Gambling Licensing in Brunei
Aspect
Status in Brunei
Types of Licenses
None available
Application Process
Not applicable
Duration/Renewal
Not applicable
Eligibility
Not applicable
Costs/Fees
Not applicable
Key Requirements
Not applicable
Gambling Tax
Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in Brunei
There are no tax rates applicable to gambling operators in Brunei. All forms of gambling, including land-based and online operations, are strictly prohibited under national law and Sharia law. As a result, there is no legal framework for gambling operations and, consequently, no taxation system for such activities.
Basis for Taxation
No basis for taxation exists for gambling activities in Brunei, as all gambling operations are illegal and not recognized under any regulatory or tax authority.
Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements
There are no tax reporting or payment requirements for gambling operators, since gambling is not permitted in any form.
No procedures or mechanisms exist for the declaration, assessment, or payment of gambling-related taxes.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions, or Special Provisions
No tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions apply to gambling operators, as gambling is entirely banned and unregulated.
Prohibited Individuals
Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements
All forms of gambling are strictly prohibited in Brunei, and there are no legal gambling operations permitted for any age group. As a result, there are no official age restrictions or identification requirements for players, since participation in gambling itself is illegal for both citizens and foreigners.
Prohibited Activities and Game Restrictions
All types of gambling, including land-based and online gambling, are completely banned. This includes casinos, sports betting, lotteries, and any form of online wagering.
Recently, even amusement games with potential gambling elements—such as claw machines—have been explicitly prohibited. The government has classified these machines as "haram" due to their association with gambling, and all licenses for such machines have been revoked.
The prohibition extends to any game or activity that involves wagering, chance-based outcomes with prizes, or any element deemed to constitute gambling under national and religious law.
The ban is enforced with severe penalties, including large fines and possible imprisonment, for anyone found participating in or facilitating gambling activities.
The restrictions apply equally to Brunei citizens, residents, and foreigners.
Advertising and Marketing Limitations
All forms of advertising, promotion, or marketing of gambling products or services are strictly forbidden.
This includes advertisements for foreign or online gambling operators, as well as indirect promotion through sponsorships or branded content.
The authorities actively monitor and take action against any attempt to promote gambling, including online channels and social media.
Responsible Gambling and Player Protection Measures
Due to the absolute ban on gambling, there are no formal responsible gambling frameworks or player protection measures such as self-exclusion, deposit limits, or helplines. The primary method of player protection is the outright prohibition and strict enforcement against all gambling activities.
The government’s approach is to prevent gambling-related harm by eliminating access to gambling entirely, rather than regulating or mitigating its effects.
Authorities routinely conduct investigations and enforcement actions to deter and penalize any gambling-related behavior.
Geographic or Location Restrictions
There are no legal gambling venues permitted anywhere within Brunei. The ban is nationwide and applies to all public and private spaces, including online environments accessible from within the country.
Businesses previously authorized to operate amusement machines with gambling elements, such as claw machines, have had their licenses revoked and must cease operations immediately.
Strict monitoring is in place to ensure that no physical or virtual locations offer any form of gambling.
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Timeline
Year/Date
Event
1952
Brunei enacts the Common Gaming House Act, prohibiting all forms of gambling and establishing penalties for offenders.
2014
Brunei implements the first phase of the Syariah Penal Code Order, reinforcing the prohibition of gambling in accordance with Islamic law.
December 18, 2023
The State Mufti’s Office issues a Fatwa explicitly categorizing claw machines as haram due to their gambling elements.
March 2024
The Minister of Home Affairs officially announces the prohibition of claw machines under Chapter 181 of the Public Entertainment Act, aligning with the Fatwa and strengthening enforcement against gambling-related activities.
Requirements
Technical and Operational Requirements for Gambling Operators in Brunei
Brunei enforces a complete ban on all forms of gambling, including both land-based and online operations. As a result, there are no technical or operational requirements, standards, or compliance procedures for gambling operators, as gambling businesses are not permitted to operate under any circumstances within the country.
There are no software certification or technical standards requirements, as no gambling software or platforms are authorized for use.
No data protection, privacy measures, or server location requirements are specified for gambling operators, since such operations are strictly prohibited.
No anti-money laundering (AML) or know-your-customer (KYC) procedures are outlined for gambling operators, as the operation of gambling services is illegal.
There are no financial reporting, auditing standards, or record-keeping requirements applicable to gambling operators, due to the absolute prohibition of gambling activities.
No technical implementation requirements exist for responsible gambling tools, as responsible gambling frameworks are not recognized or required in a market where gambling is entirely banned.
Gambling regulations are subject to change. The information provided on this page was accurate at the time of publication, but may not reflect the current regulatory landscape. Always consult official sources for the most up-to-date information before making any gambling-related decisions.
