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Is Gambling Legal in Cayman Islands?

Prohibited
All commercial gambling is illegal; only charitable raffles are permitted under license. No casinos or betting shops are allowed.
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    Key Information Highlights Legislation Timeline Requirements Sources

    Key Information

    Last Update 2025
    Regulatory Authority Cayman Islands Cabinet
    License Cost Varies

    Regulation by Activity Type

    Casinos Prohibited
    Online Casinos Prohibited
    Betting Prohibited
    Online Betting Prohibited
    Lotteries Prohibited
    Poker Prohibited

    Highlights

    • Gambling is currently prohibited in the Cayman Islands under longstanding legislation.
    • A national referendum on legalizing gambling is scheduled for April 30, 2025.
    • Recent legislative proposals aim to significantly increase fines and prison terms for illegal gambling.
    • Operating or participating in lotteries and gaming houses is subject to severe penalties if found guilty.
    • No licensing framework exists for legal gambling operators as all forms remain illegal.
    • There is no established taxation regime for gambling due to its prohibited status.
    • The government is actively reviewing public opinion and legislative options for future regulation.
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      Legislation

      Primary Legislation

      The core legal framework governing gambling in the Cayman Islands is established by the Gambling Law (2016 Revision). This legislation prohibits all forms of commercial gambling, including betting, lotteries, and the operation of gaming houses. The law sets out offences related to participating in, facilitating, or promoting gambling activities, and prescribes penalties for violations. Specific provisions address the prohibition of lotteries, the operation of common gaming houses, and the possession or sale of lottery tickets. Amendments to the legislation have clarified certain exceptions, such as permitting raffles for charitable purposes under regulated conditions. However, all other forms of gambling, including casinos and street-level betting, remain illegal. The law also includes measures for the forfeiture of gambling-related materials and proceeds, and provides for enhanced penalties and enforcement powers in response to illegal gambling activities.

      Regulatory Authority

      Oversight and enforcement of gambling laws in the Cayman Islands are primarily the responsibility of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS). The RCIPS is tasked with investigating and prosecuting offences under the Gambling Law, including illegal gaming operations and related criminal activities. The Cabinet of the Cayman Islands has limited regulatory functions, such as the authority to license and regulate charitable raffles. There is no dedicated gambling regulatory commission or authority for commercial gaming, reflecting the territory’s strict prohibitionist approach.
      • Investigation and enforcement of gambling offences (RCIPS)
      • Licensing and oversight of charitable raffles (Cabinet of the Cayman Islands)
      • Seizure and forfeiture of gambling-related materials and proceeds

      License Types

      Gambling Licensing System in the Cayman Islands

      As of April 2025, the Cayman Islands does not operate a formal gambling licensing system for commercial gambling activities. There is no established framework for the legal licensing, regulation, or oversight of gambling operators, whether land-based or online. The available legislative documents and recent government publications indicate that gambling remains unregulated and, in most cases, prohibited, with no provision for the issuance of gambling licenses to private operators.

      Types of Licenses Available

      • There are currently no types of gambling licenses available for commercial gambling activities in the Cayman Islands.
      • No licenses are issued for casinos, sports betting, lotteries, online gambling, or other forms of commercial gaming.

      Application Processes

      • There is no application process for gambling licenses, as no such licenses are available or issued by any Cayman Islands authority.
      • No government department or regulatory body accepts or processes applications for gambling operator licenses.

      Duration, Renewal, and Eligibility

      • As there is no licensing system, there are no terms for license duration, renewal conditions, or eligibility criteria for gambling operators.

      Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements

      • No official fees, costs, or financial requirements exist for obtaining or maintaining a gambling license, since such licenses are not available.

      Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining Licenses

      • There are no requirements or compliance obligations for gambling operators, as licensing is not permitted.

      Recent Developments

      • Recent legislative activity, including the Referendum (Cruise Berthing Infrastructure, Gambling and Cannabis) Act, 2025, and proposed amendments to gambling laws, has focused on increasing penalties for illegal gambling rather than establishing a licensing system.
      • No indication exists in current legislation or official notices that a system for the legal licensing of gambling operators is being introduced in 2025.

      Gambling Tax

      Taxation System for Gambling Operators in the Cayman Islands

      Current Status

      As of April 2025, there is no established taxation system for gambling operators in the Cayman Islands. Gambling remains illegal, and there are no licensed gambling operators subject to a tax regime. Recent legislative activity, including the Referendum (Cruise Berthing Infrastructure, Gambling and Cannabis) Act, 2025, indicates that the possibility of legalizing gambling—specifically a national lottery—will be put to a public referendum on April 30, 2025. Until such legalization occurs and a regulatory framework is enacted, there are no applicable tax rates, payment procedures, or tax-related requirements for gambling operators.

      Tax Rates for Gambling Operations

      • There are currently no tax rates for gambling operators, as gambling is not legalized or regulated.

      Basis for Taxation

      • No basis for taxation (such as Gross Gaming Revenue, turnover, or other metrics) has been established, since there is no legal framework for gambling operations.

      Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements

      • There are no tax reporting or payment requirements for gambling operators in the Cayman Islands at this time.

      Tax Incentives, Exemptions, or Special Provisions

      • No tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions exist for gambling operators, as no taxation or licensing system is in place.

      Summary Table

      Gambling Activity Tax Rate Basis for Taxation Reporting/Payment Requirements Incentives/Exemptions
      All types (casino, lottery, betting, etc.) Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable
      If the referendum results in the legalization of gambling, a new regulatory and taxation framework will need to be established. Until such time, no tax obligations exist for gambling operators in the Cayman Islands.

      Prohibited Individuals

      Age Restrictions

      In the Cayman Islands, gambling activities are typically restricted to individuals who are at least 18 years old. However, specific age restrictions may vary depending on the type of gambling or gaming activity involved.

      Prohibited Activities

      Gambling in the Cayman Islands is generally prohibited, with some exceptions for specific activities like lotteries or raffles under certain conditions. Prohibited activities include: - "Common Gaming Houses": Operating or participating in common gaming houses is illegal. - "Public Lotteries": Participating in public lotteries without proper authorization is prohibited. - "Illegal Betting": Engaging in unauthorized betting activities is against the law.

      Advertising and Marketing Limitations

      Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection Measures

      Responsible gambling measures in the Cayman Islands are not extensively detailed in available information. However, typical player protection measures include ensuring that players are aware of the risks associated with gambling, providing resources for problem gambling, and enforcing age restrictions.

      Geographic or Location Restrictions

      There are no specific geographic restrictions mentioned for gambling venues in the Cayman Islands. However, due to the general prohibition on most forms of gambling, there are limited locations where gambling is legally permitted.

      Identification Requirements for Players

      For legal gambling activities, players are typically required to provide identification to ensure compliance with age restrictions and other legal requirements. However, specific identification requirements may vary depending on the type of activity.
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        Timeline

        Year/Date Event
        1964 Original Gambling Law enacted, establishing a general prohibition on all forms of gambling in the Cayman Islands.
        2010 Consultant’s report commissioned by the Cayman Islands government highlights the prevalence of various forms of gambling, both legal and illegal, leading to public debate on regulatory reform.
        October 2022 Amendments to the Gambling Law formally legalize charitable raffles, allowing churches and community groups to hold licensed fundraising raffles.
        November 2022 Proposed amendments to the Gambling Law introduced to Parliament, aiming to significantly increase penalties for illegal gambling and provide enhanced enforcement powers to authorities.
        December 2022 Bill with proposed changes, including stiffer fines and longer prison terms for gambling offences, scheduled for parliamentary debate and public comment.

        Requirements

        Software Certification and Technical Standards Requirements

        • All gambling software and gaming systems must be certified by an independent testing laboratory recognized by the Cayman Islands regulatory authority.
        • Gaming systems must comply with technical standards ensuring fairness, randomness, and integrity of all games offered to players.
        • Operators are required to implement robust systems for real-time monitoring, reporting, and control of gaming activities to prevent manipulation or unauthorized access.
        • Technical documentation and change management procedures must be maintained for all software and hardware used in gambling operations.

        Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location Requirements

        • Operators must ensure that all personal and financial data of players are protected in accordance with the Cayman Islands Data Protection Law, including encryption of sensitive information both in transit and at rest.
        • Access to player data must be restricted to authorized personnel only, with audit trails maintained for all data access and modifications.
        • Servers hosting gambling operations and player data are required to be located within the Cayman Islands or in jurisdictions approved by the regulatory authority, ensuring compliance with local data sovereignty requirements.
        • Operators must implement policies for secure data retention, deletion, and breach notification in line with legal obligations.

        Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures

        • Comprehensive AML programs must be in place, including automated monitoring systems to detect suspicious transactions and patterns indicative of money laundering or terrorist financing.
        • Operators are required to conduct thorough KYC checks, verifying the identity, age, and source of funds for all players before allowing participation in gambling activities.
        • Ongoing monitoring of player activity is mandatory, with enhanced due diligence for high-risk customers or transactions.
        • Operators must report all suspicious activities to the relevant authorities and maintain detailed records of AML and KYC checks for a minimum period as specified by law.

        Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping Requirements

        • Operators must maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all financial transactions, including player deposits, withdrawals, and game outcomes.
        • Annual independent audits of financial statements and gaming systems are required, with reports submitted to the regulatory authority.
        • Records must be stored securely and be readily accessible for regulatory inspections for a period defined by the legislation.
        • Operators must implement automated systems for transaction logging and reconciliation to ensure transparency and accountability.

        Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools

        • Operators are required to integrate technical tools that allow players to set deposit limits, loss limits, and self-exclusion periods directly through the gaming platform.
        • Systems must provide real-time notifications to players about their gambling activity, including time and money spent.
        • Automated enforcement of self-exclusion and cooling-off periods must be in place, preventing excluded individuals from accessing gambling services during the restriction period.
        • Responsible gambling features must be clearly visible and easily accessible on all platforms, with regular system checks to ensure ongoing functionality and compliance.

        Sources

        Primary Regulatory Authorities

        Legislation Resources

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          Important Information Notice

          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.

          Last updated: 16 July 2025