All forms of gambling, including casinos and lotteries, are illegal in Cuba.
The gambling ban covers both land-based and online gambling activities.
No official licensing framework exists for gambling operators in Cuba.
Enforcement targets operators rather than individual players, with few penalties for players.
Despite prohibition, underground gambling operations persist throughout the country.
There is speculation that casinos may return in the future to boost tourism and tax revenue.
Cuban residents can access offshore gambling sites, which are not regulated by Cuban authorities.
Technical Compliance Assistance
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Legislation
Primary Legislation
Cuba maintains a comprehensive prohibition on all forms of gambling under its current legal framework. The key legal basis for this prohibition is a set of national laws and decrees enacted following the 1959 Cuban Revolution, which outlawed casinos, lotteries, and all other gambling activities. There is no specific modern gambling act; instead, the ban is enforced through general criminal and administrative law. The relevant provisions criminalize both the operation and promotion of gambling establishments, as well as participation in unauthorized gaming activities. This prohibition extends to both land-based and online gambling, with no legal distinction made for digital formats.
Regulatory Authority
There is no dedicated regulatory authority for gambling in Cuba, as all forms of gambling are illegal. Oversight and enforcement responsibilities fall under the general jurisdiction of national law enforcement and administrative bodies. These authorities are empowered to investigate, shut down, and prosecute illegal gambling operations in accordance with Cuba's criminal and administrative codes.
Enforcement of gambling prohibitions is handled by national police and administrative authorities.
No specialized gambling regulatory body or commission exists due to the blanket ban on gambling.
License Types
Overview of the Gambling Licensing System in Cuba
Cuba currently does not operate a formal gambling licensing system. All forms of gambling, including casinos, lotteries, and online gambling, are prohibited under Cuban law. There are no legal frameworks, application procedures, or regulatory authorities in place for the issuance of gambling licenses to operators. The state has maintained this prohibition since 1959, and there have been no official changes or developments introducing a licensing regime for any type of gambling activity.
Types of Licenses Available
There are no gambling licenses available for any activity, including land-based casinos, sports betting, lotteries, or online gambling.
Application Process
No application process exists for gambling licenses, as no licenses are issued or recognized by Cuban authorities.
Duration and Renewal Conditions
Not applicable, as there is no licensing system in place.
Eligibility Criteria
Not applicable, as there is no licensing system in place.
Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements
There are no costs, fees, or financial requirements associated with gambling licenses, since such licenses do not exist in Cuba.
Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining Licenses
Not applicable, as there is no framework or set of requirements for obtaining or maintaining gambling licenses in Cuba.
Summary Table
Aspect
Status in Cuba
Types of Licenses
None available
Application Process
Not applicable
Duration/Renewal
Not applicable
Eligibility
Not applicable
Costs/Fees
Not applicable
Key Requirements
Not applicable
In summary, Cuba does not offer any form of gambling license, and there are no official procedures or requirements for operators seeking to conduct gambling activities within the country.
Gambling Tax
Taxation System for Gambling Operators in Cuba
As of 2025, all forms of gambling—both land-based and online—are illegal in Cuba. There are currently no licensed or regulated gambling operators within the country. Consequently, there is no formal taxation system in place for gambling operators, and no official tax rates, payment procedures, or tax-related requirements are established by Cuban authorities for this sector.
Tax Rates for Gambling Operations
There are no legal gambling operators in Cuba; thus, no official tax rates exist for any type of gambling operation, including casinos, lotteries, sports betting, or online gambling.
Basis for Taxation
No basis for taxation (such as Gross Gaming Revenue, turnover, or other metrics) is defined by Cuban law for gambling operators, as the activity is not legally recognized or regulated.
Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements
Since gambling operations are not permitted, there are no tax reporting or payment procedures required for gambling operators in Cuba.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions, or Special Provisions
No tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions exist for gambling operators, as the industry is not legally established or regulated in Cuba.
Should the legal landscape change and gambling become regulated in the future, it is expected that Cuba would introduce a taxation framework for gambling operators to support government revenues, particularly from tourism. However, as of now, there is no such system in place.
Prohibited Individuals
Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements
There are no formal, regulated age restrictions or identification requirements for gambling in Cuba, as all forms of gambling—both offline and online—are currently illegal. Since there are no legal gambling venues or operations, there are no official mechanisms in place to verify player age or identity.
Prohibited Activities and Specific Game Restrictions
All forms of gambling are prohibited, including casinos, sports betting, lotteries, and online gambling.
Underground gambling activities, such as unlicensed lotteries, casinos, and cockfighting, do exist but are not legally sanctioned and are subject to enforcement actions.
No specific games are exempted from the ban; the prohibition is comprehensive and covers all gambling activities.
Advertising and Marketing Limitations
Advertising or marketing of gambling services is strictly forbidden.
There are no legal gambling operators permitted to advertise, and any promotion of gambling in media or public spaces is not allowed.
International gambling operators are also barred from targeting Cuban residents with advertising.
Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection Measures
There are no formal responsible gambling programs or player protection measures in place, as all gambling is illegal and unregulated.
No official support services, self-exclusion programs, or problem gambling helplines are available within Cuba.
There are no requirements for operators to provide information or resources about responsible gambling.
Geographic or Location Restrictions for Gambling Venues
No legal gambling venues are permitted anywhere within Cuba’s territory.
All physical gambling establishments are banned, and any found operating are considered illegal and subject to closure by authorities.
There are no designated zones or exceptions for gambling activities within the country.
Gambling Regulatory Consultation
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Timeline
Year/Date
Event
1920s–1950s
Gambling flourishes in Cuba, with Havana becoming a major hub for casinos, lotteries, and other gaming activities, many operated by foreign interests and organized crime.
1959
Cuban Revolution: Fidel Castro comes to power, marking a turning point for gambling regulation on the island.
March 20, 1960
The Cuban government nationalizes the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, a major casino venue.
October 1960
All casinos and gambling venues are officially closed by the Castro government, and all forms of gambling are declared illegal.
1960s
The national lottery is abolished and replaced by the National Institute of Savings and Housing, redirecting remaining gambling funds to social programs.
1960s–present
Strict prohibition of gambling remains in place, with only illegal underground games such as "La Bolita" persisting informally.
Requirements
Technical and Operational Requirements for Gambling Operators in Cuba
As of April 2025, all forms of gambling—both online and land-based—are illegal in Cuba. There is no legal framework permitting the operation of gambling businesses, and no official technical or operational standards have been published or enforced by Cuban authorities. This means there are currently no formal requirements for software certification, technical standards, data protection, anti-money laundering, KYC, financial reporting, or responsible gambling tools for operators within Cuba.
Software Certification and Technical Standards:
No official requirements exist for software certification or technical standards, as gambling operations are not legally permitted or regulated.
Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location:
There are no prescribed data protection or privacy measures for gambling operators, nor any server location requirements, due to the absence of a regulated market.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and KYC Procedures:
No AML or KYC procedures are mandated for gambling operators, as such businesses cannot legally exist under current Cuban law.
Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping:
There are no financial reporting, auditing, or record-keeping requirements for gambling operators in Cuba.
Responsible Gambling Tools and Technical Implementation:
No technical requirements or standards for responsible gambling tools are in place, as gambling is not legally authorized.
In summary, Cuba does not currently have any technical or operational compliance requirements for gambling operators, as all forms of gambling remain illegal and unregulated.
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.
