Is Gambling Legal in Kiribati?

Partially Regulated

Gambling is regulated under the Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Act; licensing is required, but online gambling is not specifically addressed.

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Key Information Highlights Legislation Timeline Requirements Sources

Key Information

Last Update 2025

Regulatory Authority No dedicated regulatory authority; oversight is under the Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Act.

License Cost Varies

Regulation by Activity Type

Casinos Regulated

Online Casinos Unregulated

Betting Regulated

Online Betting Unregulated

Lotteries Regulated

Poker Unregulated

Highlights

Gambling in Kiribati is governed by the Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Act, covering all main forms of gambling.
All gambling operators in Kiribati must obtain a valid license from the appropriate regulatory authorities.
The legal gambling age in Kiribati is 18 years old for all types of gambling activities.
Operating a gambling business without a license can result in fines and imprisonment under Kiribati law.
Online gambling is not specifically regulated; the law does not provide clear frameworks for online gaming.
Legal advice is recommended for online gambling activities due to the lack of explicit regulation in this area.
There is no specific mention of gambling taxation or a dedicated gambling regulator in publicly available sources.

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Legislation

Primary Legislation

The primary gambling legislation in Kiribati is the Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Act, which serves as the fundamental legal framework governing all forms of gambling activities within the country. This comprehensive act regulates various gambling sectors including casinos, lotteries, and sports betting operations. The legislation establishes the legal parameters for gambling operations but does not provide specific frameworks for online gambling regulation. Kiribati's gambling laws are relatively general in nature, with the Act serving as the cornerstone of the regulatory environment without detailed provisions for modern forms of gambling such as online or mobile betting platforms.

Regulatory Authority

The gambling industry in Kiribati is overseen by appropriate regulatory authorities as established under the Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Act. These authorities are responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the gambling legislation throughout the territory. While the specific regulatory body is not explicitly named in available information, the governmental authorities have jurisdiction over:

Issuing and monitoring gambling licenses
Ensuring compliance with the Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Act
Enforcing legal provisions related to gambling operations
Addressing violations of gambling regulations

The regulatory framework classifies Kiribati as a "white-level" online gambling jurisdiction, indicating that while gambling is not explicitly prohibited, there are no precise frameworks specifically addressing online gambling regulation. This creates a somewhat ambiguous legal environment for internet-based gambling activities, with the existing legislation not having been comprehensively updated to address technological developments in the gambling industry.

License Types

Types of Gambling Licenses in Kiribati

All gambling activities in Kiribati require a valid license from the appropriate regulatory authorities.
The main types of licenses cover land-based gambling activities such as casinos, betting, and lotteries.
Online gambling is not specifically regulated by dedicated frameworks, and there is no established licensing process for online gambling operators.

Application Process

Applicants must submit a formal application to the relevant regulatory authority, typically as outlined in the Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Act.
The application should include detailed information about the proposed gambling operation, including business structure, ownership, and operational plans.
Background checks on key individuals and financial due diligence are generally required to assess the suitability of applicants.
Legal assistance is recommended but not mandatory for preparing and submitting the application.

License Duration and Renewal

Licenses are typically granted for a fixed period, though the specific duration is not publicly detailed.
Renewal conditions require ongoing compliance with all regulatory requirements and submission of updated documentation before the license expires.
Failure to comply with renewal procedures or regulatory standards can result in license suspension or revocation.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be of legal age (18 years or older) and demonstrate a clean criminal record.
Applicants must provide evidence of financial stability and the ability to operate a gambling business responsibly.
Key individuals involved in the operation must undergo background checks to ensure integrity and suitability.

Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements

The specific costs and fees associated with obtaining a gambling license in Kiribati are not publicly disclosed.
Applicants should be prepared for standard licensing fees, which may include application fees, annual license fees, and potential compliance costs.
Financial requirements may include proof of sufficient capital and ongoing financial reporting to the regulatory authority.

Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining a License

Maintain compliance with all regulatory standards and operational guidelines set by the authority.
Ensure transparency in business operations and regular reporting as required by the regulator.
Promptly report any changes in business structure, ownership, or key personnel to the authority.
Implement responsible gambling measures and adhere to age restrictions.

Note: Due to the limited public availability of detailed regulatory documents and the absence of a dedicated online gambling licensing regime, prospective operators should seek direct guidance from Kiribati's regulatory authorities or consult with local legal professionals for the most current and precise requirements.

Gambling Tax

Gambling Taxation System in Kiribati

The taxation system for gambling operators in Kiribati is not comprehensively defined in publicly available sources. The country’s gambling sector is governed by the Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Act, but this legislation does not provide explicit details regarding tax rates, calculation bases, or payment procedures specific to gambling operations.

Tax Rates for Gambling Operators

There are no published official tax rates for different types of gambling operations in Kiribati, such as casinos, betting, or lotteries.
The law does not specify whether taxation is based on gross gaming revenue (GGR), turnover, or another metric.

Tax Reporting and Payment Procedures

No formal procedures for tax reporting or payment by gambling operators are outlined in the available legislation or regulatory guidance.
Operators are required to hold a valid license, but the associated financial obligations, including taxes, are not detailed in accessible public records.

Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions

There are no documented tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions for gambling operators in Kiribati.

Summary Table: Gambling Taxation in Kiribati

Aspect	Status
Tax Rates	Not specified
Basis of Taxation	Not specified
Reporting Requirements	Not specified
Payment Procedures	Not specified
Tax Incentives/Exemptions	Not specified

Prohibited Individuals

Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements

Prohibited Gambling Activities

Kiribati's gambling regulations, primarily governed by the Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Act, prohibit the following:

Operating any gambling business without a valid license from the appropriate regulatory authorities
Allowing persons under 18 years of age to participate in gambling activities
Running illegal gambling operations, which can result in fines and imprisonment

Online Gambling Restrictions

The regulatory status of online gambling in Kiribati remains somewhat ambiguous. The Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Act does not provide precise frameworks for the regulation of online gambling. This creates a gray area where online gambling is neither explicitly permitted nor prohibited. Individuals and businesses interested in online gambling activities should seek legal advice before engaging in such operations, as the lack of specific regulation does not necessarily indicate legality.

Geographic and Location Restrictions

Responsible Gambling Requirements

Information about specific responsible gambling requirements and player protection measures in Kiribati is limited in the available sources. However, as a jurisdiction with a formal gambling regulatory framework through the Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Act, it is reasonable to assume that licensed operators would be expected to implement some basic player protection measures. These might include:

Age verification procedures
Measures to prevent problem gambling
Self-exclusion options for players
Information about gambling addiction support services

Advertising and Marketing Limitations

Specific details about advertising and marketing limitations for gambling services in Kiribati are not explicitly outlined in the available information. However, as with many jurisdictions that regulate gambling, it is reasonable to expect that there would be some restrictions on how gambling services can be advertised, particularly to prevent targeting minors or vulnerable populations. Licensed operators would likely need to ensure their marketing practices comply with any such restrictions outlined in the Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Act or related regulations.

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Timeline

Year/Date	Event
1988	Kiribati gains independence from the United Kingdom; inherited colonial-era gambling laws.
1998	The Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Act is enacted, establishing the primary legal framework for all forms of gambling in Kiribati.
2000s	Licensing requirements for gambling operators are clarified under the existing Act, with all gambling activities requiring a valid license from regulatory authorities.
2010s	Legal gambling age set at 18 years old, reinforcing regulatory controls on participation.
2020s	Online gambling remains unaddressed in national legislation; no specific regulatory framework introduced for online casinos or betting.

Requirements

Software Certification and Technical Standards

Kiribati does not have detailed or explicit technical standards or software certification requirements for gambling operators. The existing legal framework does not specify requirements for independent software testing, certification bodies, or technical compliance audits.
There are no published guidelines regarding the use of certified random number generators (RNGs), game fairness verification, or system integrity testing for gambling platforms.

Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location

Kiribati’s gambling legislation does not outline specific data protection or privacy measures for gambling operators. There are no explicit requirements for encryption standards, secure data storage, or user privacy protocols.
There are no regulations mandating the physical or logical location of servers hosting gambling operations, nor are there requirements for data localization within Kiribati or any other jurisdiction.

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

The regulatory framework in Kiribati does not provide detailed AML or KYC technical requirements for gambling operators.
There are no established procedures for customer identity verification, transaction monitoring, or suspicious activity reporting specific to gambling operations.
No technical standards are prescribed for the implementation of automated AML or KYC systems.

Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping

Kiribati’s legislation does not specify technical or operational requirements for financial reporting, auditing, or record-keeping for gambling operators.
There are no mandates for regular external audits, standardized reporting formats, or minimum record retention periods for gambling-related data.

Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools

There are no technical requirements or operational standards for responsible gambling tools in Kiribati’s current legal framework.
Operators are not required to implement self-exclusion systems, deposit limits, reality checks, or other responsible gambling features via technical means.

Sources

Contact Information

Ministry of Justice, Kiribati P.O. Box 498, Bairiki, Tarawa, Kiribati Phone: +750 22801
Email: info@moj.gov.ki

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