Is Gambling Legal in Honduras? Laws & Regulations Explained 2025

Key Information

Last Update 2025

Regulatory Authority Instituto Hondureño de Turismo (Honduran Institute of Tourism)

License Cost Varies

Regulation by Activity Type

Casinos Unregulated

Online Casinos Unregulated

Betting Unregulated

Online Betting Unregulated

Lotteries Unregulated

Poker Unregulated

Highlights

Gambling in Honduras is unregulated.
Online gambling is not specifically regulated, with no legal framework or licensing process for online operators.
Casinos and betting shops pay annual license fees between HNL 300,000 and HNL 700,000, or 20% of gross income minus paid prizes, whichever is higher.
The legal gambling age in Honduras is 18 years for all forms of gambling, including casinos, lotteries, and sports betting.
The national lottery sector is monopolized by Loterías Electronicas de Honduras S.A., offering a range of lottery products.
There have been no significant updates or amendments to gambling laws since 1977, leaving the regulatory framework outdated.

Legislation

Primary Legislation

The principal legal framework governing gambling in Honduras is established by the Law of Casinos, Games of Chance and Wagering (Ley de Casinos, Juegos de Envite o Azar, Decree 488 of 1977). This law provides the foundation for all land-based gambling activities, including casinos, betting shops, and poker played within licensed venues. The legislation was enacted to support tourism development and generate state revenue. It defines the types of permissible gambling activities and sets the general legal parameters for their operation. There are no specific legal provisions or frameworks addressing online gambling, fantasy sports, social gambling, or emerging forms such as loot boxes and skin gambling. The 1977 law remains the core statute, and no significant amendments or new comprehensive gambling laws have been enacted since its introduction.

Regulatory Authority

The oversight and regulation of gambling activities in Honduras are primarily the responsibility of the Honduran Institute of Tourism (Instituto Hondureño de Turismo, IHT). This governmental body is tasked with supervising, authorizing, and controlling land-based gambling operations in accordance with the 1977 law. The IHT grants licenses to land-based operators, monitors compliance with legal requirements, and serves as the main point of contact for gambling-related regulatory matters. In the lottery sector, the monopoly is held by Loterías Electronicas de Honduras S.A., which operates all official lottery products under state oversight.

Supervision and enforcement of gambling laws for land-based casinos and betting shops
Issuance and management of licenses for physical gambling establishments
Oversight of lottery operations through the designated state monopoly
No dedicated authority or regulatory framework for online gambling activities

License Types

Types of Gambling Licenses Available in Honduras

Land-Based Casino Licenses: Issued for operating physical casino venues, including table games, slot machines, and video poker.
Betting Shop Licenses: Granted for establishments offering sports betting and similar wagering activities.
Lottery Licenses: The lottery sector is monopolized by Loterías Electronicas de Honduras S.A., and no private licensing is available for this activity.

Licensing Authority

The Honduran Institute of Tourism (Instituto Hondureño de Turismo, IHT) is the sole regulatory body responsible for granting and overseeing gambling licenses for land-based casinos and betting shops.

Application Process

Applicants must submit a formal request to the IHT, including detailed business and operational plans for the proposed gambling venue.
Supporting documentation typically includes proof of legal entity registration, financial statements, evidence of suitable premises, and background checks for key personnel.
There is no standardized online application system; the process is handled directly with the IHT, often requiring in-person meetings and document submissions.
For betting shops, the process is similar, with the focus on the location and operational details of the betting outlet.

Duration and Renewal of Licenses

Licenses are generally issued for a fixed term, commonly one year, with the possibility of renewal upon review by the IHT.
Renewal requires submission of updated documentation, compliance records, and payment of renewal fees.
Continuous compliance with regulatory requirements is mandatory for maintaining the license.

Eligibility and Key Requirements

Applicants must be registered legal entities in Honduras.
Key personnel and shareholders are subject to background checks to ensure integrity and suitability.
Venues must meet safety, security, and operational standards as set by the IHT.
Operators are required to implement responsible gambling measures and ensure all patrons are at least 18 years old.

Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements

License fees for casinos and betting shops range from HNL 300,000 to HNL 700,000, depending on the size and scope of the operation.
Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to operate the gambling establishment and cover all associated regulatory fees.
There may be additional administrative charges or security deposit requirements, as determined by the IHT during the application process.

Maintaining a License

License holders must adhere to all IHT regulations, including regular reporting and audit requirements.
Any changes in ownership, management, or operational scope must be reported to and approved by the IHT.
Failure to comply with licensing conditions can result in suspension or revocation of the license.

Special Notes

There is currently no licensing system or regulatory framework for online gambling operators in Honduras. All licensing procedures apply exclusively to land-based operations.
Lottery operations remain a state monopoly and are not open to private licensing.

Gambling Tax

Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in Honduras

Type of Gambling Operation	Tax Rate	Basis of Taxation	Minimum/Maximum Tax
Casinos, Betting, Gambling	20%	Gross Income less paid prizes (GGR)	Minimum HNL 300,000; Maximum HNL 700,000 or 20% of GGR, whichever is larger

Basis for Taxation

The primary basis for gambling operator taxation in Honduras is the gross income generated from gambling activities, after deducting prizes paid out to players (Gross Gaming Revenue, GGR).
Operators are required to pay either a fixed annual tax (ranging from HNL 300,000 to HNL 700,000) or 20% of their GGR, whichever amount is greater.

Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements

Gambling operators must calculate their gross income, deduct the total value of prizes paid, and determine the tax liability based on the higher of the fixed fee or 20% of GGR.
Tax payments are typically made on an annual basis, although the specific reporting and payment schedule may be set by the relevant tax authority.
Operators are required to maintain accurate records of all gaming revenues and prizes paid for tax calculation and potential audits.

Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions

No specific tax incentives or exemptions for gambling operators are noted in the current regulatory framework.
There are no special provisions reported for online or remote gambling; the same taxation principles apply to all licensed gambling activities.

Prohibited Individuals

Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements

The minimum legal age for all forms of gambling in Honduras is 18 years. This restriction applies to casinos, sports betting, and lottery games. Licensed gambling venues are required to enforce this age limit, and identification checks are typically conducted to verify that players meet the minimum age requirement. Violations, such as allowing underage individuals to gamble, can result in penalties for operators.

Prohibited Activities and Game Restrictions

Only land-based casinos, sports betting shops, and government-monopolized lotteries are permitted; there are no legal provisions for online gambling, and online gambling remains unregulated.
Poker is allowed exclusively within licensed casino or betting facilities; standalone poker clubs or rooms are not permitted.
Gambling products such as loot boxes, skin gambling, fantasy sports betting, and social gambling are not regulated and effectively not permitted under current law.
Lottery operations are monopolized by the state-run Loterías Electronicas de Honduras S.A.; private lotteries are not allowed.

Advertising and Marketing Limitations

Advertising of gambling services must not target individuals under the age of 18.
Marketing materials are expected to avoid misleading claims regarding the chances of winning or the potential financial benefits of gambling.
Promotions and advertisements should not be placed in locations or media primarily accessed by minors.
There are no explicit, detailed advertising codes published, but general consumer protection and age restriction principles apply.

Responsible Gambling and Player Protection Measures

Licensed operators are required to display clear information about the minimum age for gambling at entry points and within their premises.
Operators must conduct identification checks to prevent underage gambling.
There are no detailed, codified requirements for self-exclusion programs, deposit limits, or mandatory responsible gambling messaging, but operators are generally expected to act to prevent problem gambling and protect vulnerable individuals.
Players are encouraged to use only licensed venues to ensure fair play and protection against fraudulent activities.

Geographic and Location Restrictions

Land-based gambling venues are primarily located in major cities, with a concentration in Tegucigalpa, the capital.
Casinos are often attached to hotels, and it is recommended that players use these approved locations for greater safety and regulatory oversight.
Unlicensed gambling venues are prohibited, and players are advised to avoid such establishments to ensure compliance with regulations and player protection standards.

Timeline

Year/Date	Event
1977	The Ley de Casinos, Juegos de Envite o Azar (Law of Casinos and Games of Chance) is enacted, legalizing and regulating land-based gambling activities in Honduras. The Honduran Institute of Tourism (IHT) is designated as the regulatory authority for licensing and oversight.
Late 1970s–1980s	Implementation of the 1977 law leads to the opening of licensed casinos and betting shops, mainly in major cities such as Tegucigalpa, to promote tourism and generate government revenue.
1990s	The state lottery sector is consolidated under the monopoly of Loterías Electronicas de Honduras S.A., expanding available lottery products nationwide.
2000s	Minor amendments and administrative reforms are made to existing gambling regulations, but no new comprehensive gambling legislation is introduced. The legal framework remains largely unchanged.
2010s	Despite the global rise of online gambling, Honduras does not update its laws to address internet-based betting or gaming. The 1977 law remains the primary legal basis, leaving online gambling unregulated and untaxed.
2020s	The regulatory framework for gambling in Honduras is still based on the 1977 law, with no significant legislative updates or new regulatory bodies created. Online gambling remains outside the scope of existing regulation.

Requirements

Software Certification and Technical Standards Requirements

There are currently no explicit, detailed technical standards or software certification requirements established by Honduran law or regulatory authorities for gambling operators. The primary gambling legislation is outdated and does not address modern technical controls for gaming systems or software.
For land-based casinos, technical oversight is limited and primarily managed by the Honduran Institute of Tourism. There are no published standards for independent software testing, random number generator (RNG) certification, or game fairness verification.
Online gambling remains unregulated, and there are no technical standards or certification requirements for online gaming platforms or systems.

Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location Requirements

Honduran gambling regulations do not set out specific data protection or privacy requirements for gambling operators.
There are no legal mandates regarding the physical location of servers used for gambling operations, nor are there requirements for data storage, encryption, or secure transmission of player information.
Operators are not subject to any sector-specific data privacy audits or compliance checks related to gambling activities.

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

There are no detailed, sector-specific AML or KYC requirements outlined in Honduran gambling legislation for operators.
Land-based casinos may be subject to general national anti-money laundering laws, but there is no dedicated framework or technical implementation guidance for gambling-specific AML controls.
There are no requirements for automated customer verification, transaction monitoring, or suspicious activity reporting tailored to gambling operations.

Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping Requirements

Honduran law does not specify technical standards for financial reporting or auditing for gambling operators.
There are no mandates for regular submission of detailed financial reports, nor are there requirements for independent audits of gaming systems or financial records specific to the gambling sector.
Record-keeping requirements are not defined for gambling operators beyond general business and tax obligations.

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 features, in the current Honduran regulatory framework.
No standards exist for the integration of responsible gambling messaging or support resources within gaming systems or platforms.

In summary, Honduras lacks comprehensive technical and operational requirements for gambling operators. The regulatory framework is outdated, with no specific provisions for software certification, data protection, AML/KYC, financial reporting, or responsible gambling tools. Operators should be aware that compliance is primarily limited to general business and tax regulations, with minimal sector-specific technical oversight.

Sources

Primary Regulatory Authorities

Instituto Hondureño de Turismo (IHT) – Official regulator for land-based gambling operations in Honduras
Email: info@iht.hn
Phone: +504 2232-0102
Address: Edificio IHT, Colonia Palmira, Avenida República de Chile, Tegucigalpa, Honduras