Gambling is technically illegal in the Maldives due to Islamic law, but there is virtually no enforcement of this prohibition for online gambling
Despite the religious prohibition, many Maldivian citizens openly participate in online gambling through offshore platforms
The Maldives has been gradually working towards decriminalizing online gambling, though it has not yet established a regulated market
According to former President Mohamed Nasheed, there is no specific law that prohibits the operation of casinos in Maldivian resorts
The country currently has no licensing process for gambling operations, though this could change as decriminalization efforts progress
Establishing regulated gambling could potentially provide an economic boost for the Maldives, which is considered not to be a very wealthy country
Enforcement mechanisms in the Maldives are primarily designed to prevent land-based gambling rather than online activities
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Legislation
Primary Legislation
The legal framework governing gambling in the Maldives is primarily shaped by the country’s adherence to Islamic law (Shariah), which prohibits all forms of gambling. There is no specific standalone national legislation or statutory act that regulates or legalizes gambling activities, including casinos or online gambling. Instead, the prohibition is implicit, stemming from the application of Islamic principles within the Maldivian legal system. As a result, all gambling activities are considered illegal by default under the general legal and religious framework of the country.
Notably, there is no explicit law or regulation that specifically addresses or bans the operation of casinos or other gambling establishments. This legal ambiguity has been confirmed by statements from high-level officials, including the Speaker of Parliament, who has clarified that no law directly prohibits the operation of casinos in Maldivian resorts. However, in practice, gambling remains unregulated and is not permitted under the prevailing interpretation of the law.
Regulatory Authority
There is no dedicated regulatory authority or governmental body specifically tasked with overseeing or enforcing gambling laws in the Maldives. Oversight and enforcement responsibilities related to gambling fall under the general jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies and other government authorities responsible for upholding Islamic law and public order. No specialized commission or board exists for the regulation or supervision of gambling activities.
General law enforcement agencies ensure compliance with Islamic law, including the prohibition of gambling.
No specialized gambling regulatory body or authority is established in the Maldives.
License Types
Types of Gambling Licenses Available
Currently, there is no formal licensing system for any type of gambling activity in the Maldives. This includes both land-based and online gambling operations.
No specific licenses exist for casinos, sports betting, lotteries, or online gaming.
Application Process
There is no established application process for gambling licenses, as no regulatory framework or authority exists to issue or oversee such licenses in the Maldives.
Operators cannot apply for, obtain, or renew gambling licenses within the country at this time.
Duration, Renewal, and Eligibility
Because no licensing process exists, there are no terms regarding license duration, renewal procedures, or eligibility criteria for gambling operators.
Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements
No costs, fees, or financial requirements are set for gambling licenses, as no such licenses are currently available or regulated by Maldivian authorities.
Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining Licenses
There are no requirements or compliance obligations for obtaining or maintaining gambling licenses in the Maldives, as no licensing regime is in place.
Current Status and Future Outlook
The Maldives does not currently operate a gambling licensing system of any kind. All forms of gambling remain unregulated, and no official procedures or authorities exist for the licensing of gambling activities.
While there have been discussions about the potential for casinos or regulated gambling in the context of tourism, no concrete steps have been taken to establish a licensing system.
Gambling Tax
Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in Maldives
Currently, there are no specific tax rates or taxation provisions for gambling operators in the Maldives. The country does not have a regulated gambling market, and gambling activities are generally prohibited under Islamic law. As a result, there are no established tax rates for different types of gambling operations, such as casinos, sports betting, or online gambling.
Basis for Taxation
There is no formal basis for gambling taxation in the Maldives, as gambling operations are not legally recognized or regulated.
No framework exists for taxing gross gaming revenue (GGR), turnover, or any other gambling-related financial metric.
Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements
There are no tax reporting or payment requirements for gambling operators in the Maldives, as the legal framework does not provide for the operation or taxation of gambling businesses.
Since there is no licensing or regulation, operators are not required to submit tax returns or make tax payments related to gambling activities.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions, or Special Provisions
No tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions exist for gambling operators in the Maldives.
There is no distinction between types of gambling operations for tax purposes, as the sector is not recognized in the tax code.
Prohibited Individuals
Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements
There are no officially established minimum age requirements or formal identification procedures for gambling in the Maldives, as all forms of gambling are prohibited under national law. Since gambling is illegal, there is no regulated framework mandating age verification or player identification for either land-based or online gambling activities.
Prohibited Activities and Game Restrictions
All forms of gambling, including land-based casinos, betting shops, lotteries, and online gambling, are strictly prohibited in the Maldives under national law and Islamic principles.
No legal gambling venues or licensed operators are permitted to offer any type of gambling service within the country.
There are no exceptions for specific games; the prohibition applies comprehensively to all gambling activities, including sports betting, casino games, poker, bingo, and lotteries.
Attempts to establish gambling facilities, such as casinos in resorts, have been discussed but remain unregulated and unauthorized by law.
Advertising and Marketing Limitations
Advertising or promoting any form of gambling is strictly forbidden in the Maldives.
No gambling operators are allowed to market their services to Maldivian residents, either through local media, online channels, or physical advertisements.
There are no exceptions for promotional activities, sponsorships, or indirect marketing related to gambling.
Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection Measures
There are no formal responsible gambling requirements or player protection measures in place, as gambling is entirely illegal and unregulated.
No official support services, self-exclusion programs, or responsible gambling information are provided by the government or any authorized body.
Players who engage in gambling, including online gambling with foreign operators, do so at their own risk and without any legal protections or recourse.
Geographic and Location Restrictions
Gambling is prohibited throughout the entire territory of the Maldives, including all islands and resorts.
No physical gambling venues, such as casinos or betting shops, are legally permitted to operate in any location within the country.
There are no designated zones or exceptions for gambling activities, even in tourist areas or private resorts.
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Timeline
Year/Date
Event
1968
The Maldives Penal Code is enacted, explicitly outlawing all forms of gambling.
2008
The new Constitution of Maldives is adopted, reaffirming the country’s commitment to Islamic law, under which gambling remains prohibited.
2011
Public and parliamentary discussions begin on the potential for legalizing casinos in resorts to boost tourism, but no legislative changes are made.
2021
Speaker of Parliament and former President Mohamed Nasheed publicly states that there is no specific law prohibiting casinos in Maldivian resorts, reigniting debate about possible legalization.
2024–2025
Discussions continue regarding the decriminalization and potential regulation of online gambling, but no significant legal reforms are enacted.
Requirements
Software Certification and Technical Standards Requirements
There are currently no established software certification or technical standards requirements for gambling operators in the Maldives, as the country does not have a regulated framework for gambling operations.
No official authority oversees the certification of gaming software, fairness testing, or technical compliance for gambling platforms.
Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location Requirements
There are no specific data protection or privacy regulations tailored to gambling operators in the Maldives, due to the absence of a regulatory regime for gambling.
No requirements exist regarding the physical location of servers or data centers for gambling operations.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures
The Maldives does not impose AML or KYC compliance procedures specifically for gambling operators, as gambling activities are not formally regulated or licensed.
No technical standards or operational guidelines exist for customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, or suspicious activity reporting within the gambling sector.
Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping Requirements
There are no mandated financial reporting, auditing standards, or record-keeping requirements applicable to gambling operators in the Maldives.
No regulatory authority requires submission of financial statements, independent audits, or maintenance of operational records for gambling activities.
Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools
No technical requirements or standards exist for the implementation of responsible gambling tools, such as self-exclusion systems, deposit limits, or player protection features, in the Maldives.
Operators are not required to provide any responsible gambling features, as there is no regulatory oversight or enforcement in this area.
Sources
Primary Regulatory Authorities
There is currently no dedicated gambling regulatory authority or commission in the Maldives.
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.
