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Is Gambling Legal in Haiti?

Unregulated
Land-based gambling is legal and licensed, but online gambling is unregulated with no specific laws or enforcement.
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    Key Information Highlights Legislation Timeline Requirements Sources

    Key Information

    Last Update 2025
    Regulatory Authority Lottery of the Haitian State (LISA)
    License Cost Varies

    Regulation by Activity Type

    Casinos Unregulated
    Online Casinos Unregulated
    Betting Unregulated
    Online Betting Unregulated
    Lotteries Unregulated
    Poker Unregulated

    Highlights

    • Gambling has been legal in Haiti since 1960, but regulatory frameworks remain outdated and limited in scope.
    • Licensing of gambling operations is overseen by the Lottery of the Haitian State (LISA), though details on procedures are unclear.
    • Casinos are subject to a 40% tax on gross profits, plus an annual fee of $1,000 and a 5% withholding tax on player winnings.
    • Only hotels with at least 200 rooms are technically allowed to operate casinos, a threshold rarely met in practice.
    • Online gambling is not specifically regulated; there are no laws prohibiting or licensing internet-based gaming.
    • Blood sports and betting on them are legal and culturally significant, while modern forms like fantasy sports remain unregulated.
    • There are no official responsible gambling measures or robust anti-money laundering controls in place.
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      Legislation

      Primary Legislation

      Gambling in Haiti is primarily governed by a decree issued in 1960 under President François Duvalier. This legal act made gambling activities, including casino operations, legal within the country. The decree established specific requirements for casino operations, notably stipulating that only hotels with 200 or more rooms could host casinos. However, this threshold has historically been unattainable due to the lack of such large hotels in Haiti, resulting in a limited number of qualifying establishments. The law also provided for certain categories of gaming, allowing up to seven table games per venue, while initially prohibiting slot machines. There is no comprehensive, modern national legislation that regulates online gambling or updates the framework for land-based gambling, leaving significant gaps in the legal structure for both sectors. As a result, many forms of gambling, especially online, remain unregulated at the legislative level.

      Regulatory Authority

      The primary regulatory body overseeing gambling activities in Haiti is the Lottery of the Haitian State (Loterie de l'État Haïtien, commonly referred to as LISA). This authority is responsible for the oversight and administration of gambling operations, including the granting of licenses for eligible land-based casinos and other gaming activities. However, the scope and effectiveness of regulatory oversight are limited due to the absence of detailed regulations and the lack of a formalized framework for online gambling.
      • Supervision and licensing of land-based gambling establishments
      • Enforcement of the 1960 gambling decree and related regulations
      • Oversight of lottery operations and other state-sanctioned games of chance

      License Types

      Types of Gambling Licenses Available in Haiti

      • Land-Based Casino Licenses: The primary form of gambling license in Haiti is for land-based casinos. The law permits only hotels with 200 or more rooms to operate casinos, although in practice, this requirement is not strictly enforced due to the lack of such large hotels in the country. Instead, some establishments operate as "gaming houses" with a limited number of table games.
      • Gaming House Licenses: Establishments classified as gaming houses may offer up to seven table games. Slot machines are generally unauthorized, though some exceptions exist in practice.
      • Other Gambling Activities: Betting on blood sports is also legal and may be subject to licensing, but there is no specific license for online gambling, fantasy sports, or social gambling, as these are unregulated.

      Licensing Authority

      • The Lottery of the Haitian State (LISA) is the government body responsible for granting gambling licenses in Haiti.

      Application Process

      • Applicants must submit their request for a gambling license directly to LISA.
      • There is limited publicly available information on the precise steps, documentation, or evaluation criteria required for the application process.
      • In practice, the process may involve demonstrating compliance with facility requirements (such as the number of hotel rooms or classification as a gaming house) and providing business details.

      License Duration and Renewal

      • The specific duration of gambling licenses in Haiti is not clearly defined in public sources.
      • Renewal conditions are also not published, but ongoing compliance with operational and facility requirements is generally expected for continued licensure.

      Eligibility Requirements

      • Operators must be associated with a hotel (nominally with 200 or more rooms) or qualify as a gaming house with a limited number of table games.
      • Applicants must comply with any additional requirements set by LISA, though these are not detailed in public documentation.

      Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements

      • Land-based casinos are required to pay an annual fee of $1,000 for their license.
      • There may be additional financial requirements or guarantees, but specific amounts or deposit requirements are not publicly disclosed.

      Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining Licenses

      • Compliance with facility requirements (hotel size or gaming house classification).
      • Adherence to the permitted number and types of games (e.g., up to seven table games for gaming houses; slot machines generally unauthorized).
      • Payment of annual licensing fees and any other charges as determined by LISA.
      • Ongoing compliance with any operational standards or reporting obligations set by the licensing authority.

      Summary Table: Gambling Licensing in Haiti

      License Type Eligible Operators Key Requirements Annual Fee Duration Renewal
      Land-Based Casino Hotels (200+ rooms) Facility size, permitted games $1,000 Not specified Not specified
      Gaming House Other establishments Up to 7 table games, no slots $1,000 Not specified Not specified
      There is currently no licensing framework for online gambling or other modern gambling formats in Haiti. The information available on licensing procedures, requirements, and costs is limited and may be subject to change as regulations evolve.

      Gambling Tax

      Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in Haiti

      Type of Gambling Tax Rate Tax Base Additional Fees
      Land-based Casinos 40% Gross Profit (Gross Gaming Revenue) Annual fee of $1,000
      • Casinos are required to pay a 40% tax on their gross profit, which is calculated as gross gaming revenue (GGR).
      • There is also a fixed annual fee of $1,000 payable by each casino operator.
      • In addition, operators must withhold 5% tax on players’ winnings and remit this to the authorities. The withholding is deducted by the operator, not directly from the player.

      Basis for Taxation

      • The primary basis for gambling taxation in Haiti is the gross profit (GGR) generated by the casino. This is the difference between the total amount wagered and the total amount paid out to players as winnings.
      • Withholding tax on player winnings is calculated as a percentage of the payout and is collected by the operator at the time of payout.

      Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements

      • Operators are required to maintain accurate records of gross profits and player winnings to determine the correct tax liabilities.
      • The 40% tax on gross profit and the $1,000 annual fee must be paid as stipulated by the Lottery of the Haitian State (LISA), the authority responsible for overseeing gambling operations.
      • The 5% withholding tax on player winnings must be deducted at source and remitted to the tax authorities according to the prescribed schedule (typically monthly or quarterly, though the exact frequency is not detailed in publicly available sources).
      • Operators are expected to submit periodic tax returns and supporting documentation as required by the tax authorities.

      Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions

      • There are no publicly documented tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions for gambling operators in Haiti.
      • No specific provisions for online gambling taxation are currently in place, as online gambling is not regulated in Haiti.

      Prohibited Individuals

      Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements

      • There are general age restrictions for participation in gambling activities in Haiti, but specific minimum age requirements are not clearly defined or widely enforced by regulatory authorities.
      • Identification requirements for players are not systematically implemented, and there is no robust framework mandating operators to verify the age or identity of participants.

      Prohibited Activities and Game Restrictions

      • Slot machines were historically unauthorized in gaming establishments, with only table games permitted under certain conditions.
      • Establishments classified as gaming houses are limited to offering up to seven table games, with specific categories allowed (such as blackjack, craps, and roulette).
      • Casinos are technically only permitted in hotels with 200 or more rooms; however, no such hotels exist in Haiti, making this restriction impractical and leading to limited legal casino operations.
      • Blood sports and betting on blood sports are legal and commonly practiced.
      • The status of loot boxes, skin gambling, fantasy sports betting, and social gambling remains unregulated, with no explicit prohibitions or permissions.

      Advertising and Marketing Limitations

      • There are no comprehensive or clearly defined regulations regarding the advertising and marketing of gambling services in Haiti.
      • Operators are not subject to specific restrictions on how or where gambling activities can be promoted.
      • Due to the lack of formal advertising controls, both local and international gambling operators may advertise with minimal oversight.

      Responsible Gambling and Player Protection Measures

      • There are no official responsible gambling regulations in place in Haiti.
      • Operators are not legally required to implement player protection measures such as self-exclusion programs, deposit limits, or problem gambling support services.
      • There is no dedicated authority or mechanism for monitoring or enforcing responsible gambling practices.

      Geographic and Location Restrictions

      • Casinos are restricted to being located within hotels that have at least 200 rooms, although this requirement is not met by any current hotel in Haiti.
      • This geographic restriction effectively limits the number and location of legal gambling venues in the country.
      • No additional zoning or location-based restrictions for other forms of gambling are specified.
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        Timeline

        Year/Date Event
        1960 Gambling legalized by decree under President François Duvalier, aiming to attract investors. The law allowed casinos only in hotels with 200 or more rooms, a requirement that was impossible to meet at the time.
        1980s First notable casino operations begin, with establishments such as El Rancho Hotel and Casino opening and offering a range of table games and gaming machines.
        2010 The devastating earthquake severely impacts Haiti's economy, leading to the temporary closure of several land-based casinos. Some eventually recover and resume operations.
        Present No specific national legislation has been introduced to regulate online gambling. Land-based gambling remains legal, but the regulatory framework is limited and outdated. The Lottery of the Haitian State (LISA) is responsible for licensing, but information on procedures is scarce.

        Requirements

        Software Certification and Technical Standards Requirements

        • There are currently no specific, codified software certification or technical standards for gambling operators in Haiti. The regulatory framework does not detail requirements for independent testing, certification of gaming software, or technical compliance audits.
        • Operators are not subject to mandatory third-party software testing or certification processes, as seen in more regulated jurisdictions.
        • There are no published requirements regarding system integrity, randomness testing, or technical specifications for gaming equipment or online platforms.

        Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location

        • There are no explicit, enforceable data protection or privacy regulations specific to gambling operators in Haiti.
        • Operators are not required by law to implement specific data security measures or privacy protocols for customer information.
        • No requirements exist regarding the physical location of servers or data centers used by gambling operators.

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

        • Haiti does not have detailed AML or KYC requirements specifically tailored for gambling operators.
        • There are no formalized procedures mandated for customer identification, verification, or ongoing monitoring of transactions within the gambling sector.
        • Operators are not obligated to report suspicious transactions or conduct enhanced due diligence under a dedicated gambling regulatory regime.

        Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping Requirements

        • No comprehensive financial reporting or auditing standards are prescribed for gambling operators in Haiti.
        • There are no mandatory requirements for annual audits, submission of financial statements, or retention of operational records specific to the gambling industry.
        • Operators are not subject to regular financial inspections or compliance audits by regulatory authorities.

        Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools

        • There are no technical or operational requirements for the implementation of responsible gambling tools, such as self-exclusion systems, deposit limits, or player protection mechanisms.
        • Operators are not required to provide responsible gambling information, intervention tools, or technical measures to prevent problem gambling.

        Sources

        Legislation Resources

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          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: 21 April 2025