There is no specific gambling regulation or licensing framework in the Marshall Islands; gambling activities are not officially overseen by any authority.
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The Marshall Islands currently do not regulate gambling activities under a specific legislative framework.
There is no official gambling authority or licensing regime for land-based or online gambling operators.
Operators are not required to obtain a gambling license to offer gaming services in the Marshall Islands.
No dedicated gambling taxation or regulatory compliance requirements exist for operators or players.
The absence of regulation means there are no formal responsible gambling or anti-money laundering controls.
The Marshall Islands are sometimes referenced as an offshore jurisdiction, but lack formal gambling oversight.
Future regulatory developments are possible, but as of now, gambling remains largely unregulated.
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Legislation
Primary Legislation
The core legal framework governing gambling in the Marshall Islands is established by the Gaming and Recreation Prohibition Act 1998. This Act was enacted to prohibit most forms of gambling activities throughout the country. The legislation was introduced in response to significant community concerns about the social and economic impacts of gambling, particularly the proliferation of gambling machines. Since its enactment, the law has remained in force and serves as the principal statute banning gambling activities, including the operation of slot machines and similar devices. There are no other major national laws or codes that provide for the regulation or legalization of gambling in the Marshall Islands.
Regulatory Authority
Oversight and enforcement of gambling laws in the Marshall Islands are primarily the responsibility of national law enforcement agencies and the Office of the Attorney General. There is no dedicated gambling regulatory authority or commission at the national level. Instead, regulatory functions are carried out by:
The Office of the Attorney General, which interprets and enforces the prohibition on gambling under the law
The Marshall Islands Police Department, which investigates and acts upon violations, such as the operation of illegal gambling machines
Local government authorities, such as the Majuro Atoll Local Government, which may issue ordinances but remain subject to national law
License Types
Overview of Gambling Licensing in the Marshall Islands
As of 2025, the Marshall Islands does not operate a formal gambling licensing system. There are no established procedures, authorities, or frameworks for the issuance of licenses for any gambling activities, including online gaming, sports betting, casinos, or lotteries.
Types of Licenses Available
No specific gambling licenses are available for any type of gambling activity in the Marshall Islands.
Application Process
There is no official application process for obtaining a gambling license, as the jurisdiction does not regulate or issue such licenses.
Duration, Renewal, and Eligibility
No license duration, renewal conditions, or eligibility criteria exist, since there is no licensing regime for gambling.
Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements
No fees, costs, or financial requirements are set for gambling licenses in the Marshall Islands, as no such licenses are issued.
Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining a License
No requirements are defined for obtaining or maintaining a gambling license, due to the absence of a regulatory or licensing framework for gambling activities.
Gambling Tax
Gambling Operator Taxation in the Marshall Islands
The Marshall Islands does not have a formalized taxation system for gambling operators. This is because gambling is generally prohibited under national law, and there is no regulatory framework for legal gambling operations, including online or land-based casinos, betting, or gaming activities.
Tax Rates for Gambling Operations
No official tax rates exist for gambling operators, as commercial gambling is not legally permitted or regulated in the Marshall Islands.
There are no distinctions for different types of gambling (e.g., casino, betting, lottery) in terms of taxation, as all forms are effectively banned under the national law.
Basis for Taxation
No basis for gambling taxation (such as Gross Gaming Revenue, turnover, or other metrics) is established, since gambling operations are not legally recognized.
Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements
There are no tax reporting or payment procedures specific to gambling operators, as such businesses are not permitted to operate legally.
There are no requirements for filing gambling-related tax returns or making tax payments to government authorities.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions, or Special Provisions
No tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions exist for gambling operators, since the legal framework does not allow for such businesses to be established or taxed.
Prohibited Individuals
Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements
There are no formally established age restrictions or identification requirements for gambling in the Marshall Islands, as all forms of gambling are broadly prohibited by law. Since gambling is not legally permitted, there are no regulatory frameworks specifying minimum ages or mandatory player identification procedures.
Prohibited Activities
All forms of gambling, including both land-based and online gambling, are prohibited throughout the Marshall Islands.
The operation and use of gambling machines, such as slot machines and video arcade-type games, are explicitly banned. Recent enforcement actions have targeted businesses operating such machines, resulting in confiscations and criminal charges.
Online gambling is not permitted. The jurisdiction does not allow online casinos or betting platforms to operate for residents or visitors.
There are no legal exceptions for specific types of gambling activities, such as lotteries, sports betting, or casino games.
Advertising and Marketing Limitations
Advertising or marketing of gambling services is not permitted, as all gambling activities are illegal within the jurisdiction.
There are no provisions for promoting gambling products or services, and any such activity would be considered a violation of the law.
Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection Measures
There are no responsible gambling requirements or player protection measures in place, as gambling is not legally allowed and thus not regulated.
No frameworks exist for self-exclusion, player support services, or mandatory responsible gambling messaging.
Geographic or Location Restrictions
Gambling is prohibited across the entire territory of the Marshall Islands, including all atolls and islands.
No physical venues or online platforms are legally authorized to offer gambling services anywhere within the jurisdiction.
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Timeline
Year/Date
Event
1990s
Marshall Islands adopts general legislative framework after independence, but no specific gambling regulation is introduced.
2000s
Marshall Islands continues without dedicated gambling or gaming legislation; no regulatory authority established for gambling activities.
2010s
Marshall Islands becomes known internationally as a jurisdiction with no formal regulation or licensing regime for gambling, including online gambling.
2020s
Marshall Islands maintains its status as an unregulated gambling jurisdiction; no new laws or amendments introduced to regulate or prohibit gambling activities.
Requirements
Software Certification and Technical Standards
There are currently no specific software certification or technical standards requirements for gambling operators in the Marshall Islands, as gambling activities are not formally regulated by a dedicated authority or legislation.
No mandatory independent testing or certification of gambling software is required for operators targeting or operating from the Marshall Islands.
Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location
No dedicated data protection or privacy regulations specific to gambling operators are in force in the Marshall Islands.
There are no legal requirements regarding the physical location of servers or data centers used by gambling operators.
Operators are not subject to specific technical standards for the storage, transmission, or protection of player data under Marshall Islands law.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures
The Marshall Islands does not impose specific AML or KYC procedural requirements on gambling operators, as the sector is not formally regulated.
No technical or operational standards for customer identification, transaction monitoring, or suspicious activity reporting are mandated for gambling businesses.
Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping
There are no prescribed financial reporting, auditing, or record-keeping standards for gambling operators in the Marshall Islands.
Operators are not required to submit regular financial statements, undergo independent audits, or maintain specific records related to gambling transactions.
Responsible Gambling Tools and Technical Implementation
No technical requirements or operational obligations exist for the implementation of responsible gambling tools, such as self-exclusion mechanisms, deposit limits, or reality checks.
Operators are not required to provide or technically implement any responsible gambling features under Marshall Islands law.
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.
