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Is Gambling Legal in Grenada?

Regulated
Gambling is mostly illegal except for activities overseen by the National Lotteries Authority; some gaming is taxed and licensed.

Key Information

Last Update 2025
Regulatory Authority National Lotteries Authority
License Cost Varies

Regulation by Activity Type

Casinos Regulated
Online Casinos Regulated
Betting Regulated
Online Betting Regulated
Lotteries Regulated
Poker Regulated

Highlights

  • Gambling in Grenada is largely illegal except for activities operated by the National Lotteries Authority.
  • The National Lotteries Authority is mandated to promote and regulate lotteries, pools, and games of chance.
  • A Gaming Commission exists to inspect and license all premises offering gaming facilities in Grenada.
  • Gaming tax is imposed on gross receipts from gaming activities and must be paid monthly by licensed operators.
  • Players must be at least 18 years old to legally participate in any form of gambling in Grenada.
  • Legislation is periodically updated, but private and online gambling remain mostly unregulated or prohibited.

Legislation

Primary Legislation

The primary legal framework governing gambling in Grenada consists of specific acts of Parliament that regulate gaming activities. The most significant piece of legislation is the National Lotteries Authority Act, which establishes the legal basis for state-run lotteries and related games of chance. This Act provides the structure for the creation and operation of the National Lotteries Authority, granting it the mandate to oversee and promote lotteries, pools, and games of chance within Grenada. Additionally, the law allows for the establishment of a Gaming Commission tasked with regulatory oversight of gaming facilities. These legislative instruments collectively define the legal boundaries for gambling activities in the country.

Regulatory Authority

Oversight and regulation of gambling in Grenada are primarily the responsibility of the following authorities:
  • National Lotteries Authority (NLA): Responsible for regulating, promoting, and supervising lotteries, pools, and games of chance as set out in the National Lotteries Authority Act.
  • Gaming Commission: Empowered by law to inspect and license all premises offering gaming facilities, as well as to issue licenses to operators and enforce compliance with the relevant legislation.

License Types

There is conflicting information about the legal status of gambling in Grenada. While some sources indicate that gambling is still illegal in Grenada, others suggest that certain forms of gambling are permitted under specific regulations. The National Lotteries Authority (NLA), established by Act No. 29 of August, is mandated "to promote the development of lotteries, pools and games of chance in Grenada."

Age Requirements

Players must be 18 years or older to participate in all forms of gambling in Grenada.

Licensing Information Gap

Unfortunately, the search results do not provide specific details about:
  • Types of gambling licenses available
  • Application processes for obtaining licenses
  • License duration and renewal conditions
  • Specific licensing costs and fees
  • Financial requirements for license applicants
  • Detailed eligibility criteria for license holders

Gaming Tax

While not directly related to licensing, it's worth noting that Grenada imposes a Gaming Tax on the gross receipts of every person who provides facilities for Gaming. This tax is due on the 10th of every month. For comprehensive and current information about Grenada's gambling licensing system, it would be advisable to contact the Gaming Commission of Grenada or the National Lotteries Authority directly, or consult the official Laws of Grenada available from the Government Printery.

Gambling Tax

Gambling Tax Rates in Grenada

Type of Gambling Operation Tax Rate Tax Base
All Gaming Facilities 10% Gross Receipts

Basis for Taxation

  • Gambling operators in Grenada are taxed on the gross receipts generated from providing gaming facilities.
  • The tax is not based on turnover, net profit, or gross gaming revenue (GGR), but specifically on gross receipts.

Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements

  • Gaming Tax must be calculated and paid monthly.
  • The tax is due by the 10th of every month for the preceding month’s gross receipts.
  • Operators are required to submit a return detailing their gross receipts along with the payment.
  • Payments and returns are made to the Inland Revenue Division of Grenada.

Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions

  • There are currently no published tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions specifically for gambling operators in Grenada.
  • All persons or entities providing gaming facilities are subject to the same tax rate and reporting requirements.

Prohibited Individuals

Age Restrictions

The minimum legal age to participate in any form of gambling in Grenada is 18 years. All gambling operators are required to ensure that players provide valid identification to verify their age before allowing access to gambling activities.

Prohibited Activities

  • Unauthorized gambling activities are strictly prohibited. Only forms of gambling specifically authorized by the relevant authorities, such as those operated by the National Lotteries Authority, are permitted.
  • Unlicensed gaming or betting operations are not allowed. Any gambling outside the scope of licensed and regulated entities is considered illegal.
  • Certain forms of gambling, such as unregulated casino games or betting operations, are not permitted unless expressly authorized by the appropriate regulatory body.

Advertising and Marketing Limitations

  • Advertising of gambling products and services must not target individuals under the age of 18.
  • Marketing communications must not mislead about the chances of winning or the risks associated with gambling.
  • Promotional materials should not depict gambling as a solution to financial problems or encourage excessive or irresponsible gambling behavior.
  • Operators must ensure that all advertisements comply with general standards of decency and social responsibility.

Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection Measures

  • Operators are required to provide clear information about responsible gambling and the risks associated with gambling.
  • Self-exclusion programs must be available, allowing players to voluntarily ban themselves from gambling facilities or platforms.
  • Operators must display information about support services for problem gambling and ensure easy access to help resources.
  • Players must be able to set limits on their gambling activity, such as deposit, loss, or time limits, where applicable.
  • All gambling venues are obligated to monitor for signs of problem gambling and intervene where necessary to protect vulnerable individuals.

Geographic or Location Restrictions

  • Gambling activities are only permitted in locations that have been inspected and licensed by the relevant regulatory authority.
  • Unlicensed venues or unauthorized locations are prohibited from offering any form of gambling.
  • Operators must ensure that access to gambling is restricted to approved premises and is not available in locations where gambling is forbidden by law or regulation.

Timeline

Year/Date Event
1960s Initial regulation of gambling activities introduced in Grenada, focusing mainly on lotteries and small-scale betting.
1990 Significant amendments made to gambling laws to address the growing presence of gaming activities.
2000 Establishment of a regulatory framework for gaming, including the creation of oversight bodies for licensing and inspection.
2010 International Betting Act Cap 151A included in the Continuous Revised Edition of the Laws of Grenada, providing a legal basis for regulating betting companies.
2012 Further updates to gaming legislation, strengthening the authority of regulatory bodies and clarifying licensing requirements for gaming operators.
2024 Minimum legal gambling age reaffirmed at 18 years; ongoing legislative discussions regarding the social impact and further regulation of gambling.

Requirements

Software Certification and Technical Standards

  • All gaming software and systems used by operators must be certified by recognized testing laboratories to ensure fairness, randomness, and integrity of games.
  • Technical standards require the use of secure and auditable random number generators (RNGs) for all games of chance.
  • Gaming platforms must implement robust encryption protocols to protect data in transit and at rest.
  • Operators are required to maintain up-to-date software versions and promptly apply security patches to all gaming systems.
  • Any changes or updates to gaming software must undergo re-certification before deployment in a live environment.

Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location

  • Operators must comply with data protection regulations, ensuring the confidentiality and security of all player data.
  • Personal and financial data must be stored on secure servers with restricted access, protected by firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
  • Data retention policies must specify the duration for which player and transaction data is stored, with secure deletion protocols after the retention period expires.
  • Operators may be required to host servers within Grenada or in jurisdictions that provide an equivalent level of data protection.
  • Regular data privacy audits must be conducted to verify compliance with established data protection standards.

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

  • Operators must implement comprehensive AML programs in line with international best practices and local regulations.
  • KYC procedures require the verification of player identity, age, and address before allowing participation in gambling activities.
  • Enhanced due diligence must be conducted for high-risk players or transactions, including source of funds checks.
  • Operators must monitor and report suspicious transactions to the relevant authorities without delay.
  • All AML and KYC documentation must be securely stored and made available for regulatory inspection upon request.

Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping Requirements

  • Operators are required to maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records, including all gaming transactions, deposits, withdrawals, and payouts.
  • Annual independent audits of financial statements and gaming systems are mandatory to ensure transparency and regulatory compliance.
  • Operators must submit regular financial and operational reports to the regulatory authority, detailing gross gaming revenue, player activity, and compliance metrics.
  • All records must be retained for a minimum period as stipulated by regulation, typically not less than five years.
  • Secure electronic record-keeping systems must be used, with backup and disaster recovery protocols in place.

Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools

  • Operators must integrate responsible gambling features into their platforms, including self-exclusion options and deposit, loss, and session time limits.
  • Systems must allow players to set and modify responsible gambling limits, with enforced cooling-off periods for changes.
  • Automated monitoring tools must be in place to detect and flag signs of problem gambling behavior for timely intervention.
  • Information about responsible gambling resources and support services must be prominently displayed within the gaming environment.
  • Operators are required to log all responsible gambling interactions and interventions for audit and compliance purposes.

Sources

Primary Regulatory Authorities

  • Government of Grenada – Official government portal with information and contacts for regulatory bodies
  • Gaming Commission of Grenada – Primary regulatory authority for gambling activities in Grenada Email: info@gov.gd Phone: +1 (473) 440-2255

Legislation Resources

Bahamas Canada

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: 22 April 2025