Saint Lucia: gambling regulation and licensing

Saint Lucia licenses casino gaming, betting and horse racing under the Gaming, Racing and Betting Act, Cap. 13.13, and runs its lottery as a state monopoly. The Gaming, Racing and Betting Authority, called the Gaming Authority until 2018, examines applications and makes recommendations, but Cabinet grants or refuses every licence, and the Minister for Finance makes the regulations. Since a 2019 amendment a "game" includes online gaming, and the betting provider licence covers live, non-remote and remote betting, so online casino and online sports betting both sit inside the licensing regime. A gaming operator licence is tied to approved premises: a hotel of at least 250 rooms, or premises that continuously employ at least 100 people. Gaming operators pay a monthly fee of 8% of the gross revenue of their gaming activities; the betting provider fee is left to regulation, and we found no rate prescribed. Gambling and betting activities are also listed for the 2.5% Health and Citizen Security Levy introduced in August 2023. Players must be 18, and Saint Lucian citizens may not play at a licensed casino unless they hold another citizenship or belong to a casino membership scheme. The National Lotteries Authority is responsible for operating lotteries; CBN St. Lucia Inc. runs the national lottery for it and, through the Let's Bet website, also offers online slots, table games and sports betting to players located in Saint Lucia. The CFATF found one casino operating in 2019 and in 2024. The Financial Intelligence Authority supervises gaming operators and internet gaming for anti-money laundering purposes. We found no pending gambling legislation.

Regulator

Gaming, Racing and Betting Authority (GRBA)

Regulator type

Gaming board

Headline tax

8% GGR

Licence required

Yes

Minimum age

18+

Tax base

A gaming operator pays the Accountant General a monthly fee equal to 8% of the gross revenue of its gaming activities, by the 15th of the following month (Gaming, Racing and Betting Act, Cap. 13.13 s.30). Neither the Act nor its regulations define gross revenue; s.55(n) leaves its computation to regulations. Late payment adds a 10% penalty (s.44). Betting providers pay a monthly fee at a prescribed rate (s.30A), and we found no instrument prescribing it.

Licence required

Yes

Application window

Not yet verified

Local establishment required

Yes

Local server required

Not yet verified

Bank guarantee or bond

A gaming operator must file a bond, or deposit a security instrument issued by a credit institution licensed in Saint Lucia or a Government bond, worth at least three months of projected operating expenses within 30 days of the licence; it is raised if actual expenses exceed the projection by 10% or more, and failure to file means revocation (s.28; S.I. 198 of 2020).

Notable licensees

St. Lucia National Lottery, run for the National Lotteries Authority by CBN St. Lucia Inc. under a management contract since 12 February 2005 (lottery monopoly, not a licence under the Gaming, Racing and Betting Act)

Certification requirements

Every gaming device and item of associated equipment must be approved in writing by the Board, which may have it examined by a laboratory or accept approval by regulators in a country the Minister designates by order (s.26). Officers, directors and key employees must be investigated and registered by the Board (s.29), and gaming staff must be Saint Lucian citizens unless the Authority approves a specialist or senior manager (s.50).

Barriers to entry

Licences are decided by Cabinet after public newspaper notice, an objection period, police verification and a public hearing (ss.16 to 21). A corporate licensee must be registered in Saint Lucia and every shareholder, officer and director, and any holder of over 5% of a listed company, needs the Board's written approval (s.22(1)). A gaming operator licence requires a 250 room hotel or premises continuously employing 100 people, and a gaming operator may not hold another licence type without a Cabinet exemption (ss.14(2), 22(11) and (12)). The CFATF reported that two licences had been issued but only one gaming operator was operational at the time of its 2019 evaluation, and one casino operating in 2024.

Headline GGR tax

8% GGR

Effective date

Not yet verified

Player winnings tax

The St. Lucia National Lottery states that jackpots won by players are not taxed. We did not read the Income Tax Act on gambling winnings.

Tax base

A gaming operator pays the Accountant General a monthly fee equal to 8% of the gross revenue of its gaming activities, by the 15th of the following month (Gaming, Racing and Betting Act, Cap. 13.13 s.30). Neither the Act nor its regulations define gross revenue; s.55(n) leaves its computation to regulations. Late payment adds a 10% penalty (s.44). Betting providers pay a monthly fee at a prescribed rate (s.30A), and we found no instrument prescribing it.

Minimum age

18+

National self-exclusion

Not yet verified

KYC timing

For gaming operators, customer due diligence is triggered at financial transactions of $8,000 or more (s.17(1)(g)).

AML regime

The Money Laundering (Prevention) Act lists licensed gaming operators (for transactions of $8,000 or more) and internet gaming and wagering services as other business activity supervised by the Financial Intelligence Authority. They are not among the categories that must register under the Registration of Supervised Entities Act, and the FIA register lists no gaming entity. The CFATF 2024 follow-up re-rated R.28 largely compliant but found that the Gaming Authority had no measures to keep criminals from owning or managing a casino and that gaming operators below the threshold are not supervised. The Attorney General's Chambers reports that Saint Lucia is reviewing its national risk assessment ahead of the CFATF fifth round mutual evaluation.

AML supervisor

Financial Intelligence Authority

Source of funds thresholds

Customer due diligence for gaming operators at financial transactions of $8,000 or more (Money Laundering (Prevention) Act s.17(1)(g)).

KYC requirements

Gaming operators must stop under-18s entering or playing (s.36) and must stop Saint Lucian citizens listed in Schedule 1, that is citizens who hold no other citizenship and are not members of a casino's membership scheme, from playing, placing wagers or collecting winnings, on pain of a $150,000 fine (s.39). Gaming operators must carry out customer due diligence on financial transactions of $8,000 or more (Money Laundering (Prevention) Act s.17(1)(g)). The national lottery's online platform verifies accounts with an identity document and a selfie and only accepts players aged 18 or over located in Saint Lucia.

Stake limits

Each gaming operator's rules, including the maximum bet and hours of play, must be approved by the Board (s.25(1)(d) and (4)).

Mandatory player messaging

A gaming operator must post the approved rules, limits and odds of each game in a prominent place and put signs at every entrance setting out the admission policy, age, nationality and other restrictions (s.25(5) and (6)).

Reporting obligations

Gaming operators keep a system of internal control and record wagers and winnings on gaming machines daily, available to the Board on request (s.27), and the Board may compel documents and verify income (s.7(3)). The Authority's audited accounts and review are laid in Parliament (s.35). The National Lotteries Authority reports to its Minister within four months of the year end, and the report is laid before the House of Assembly (National Lotteries Authority Act s.26).

Game content restrictions

Only games, gaming devices and associated equipment approved by the Board may be used, and the Board may order the removal of any device it judges not to offer a fair opportunity to the public (ss.25(2) to (7), 26).

Credit card ban

Not yet verified

Crypto stance

Not yet verified

Permitted methods

Credit card (national lottery online platform), Cash top-up at authorised lottery locations, by player code or voucher (national lottery online platform)

ISP blocking

Not yet verified

DNS blocking

Not yet verified

Payment blocking

Not yet verified

App store takedowns

Not yet verified

Administrative penalties

Cabinet may amend or revoke a licence for misrepresentation, breach of conditions or the public interest (s.23); late fees carry a 10% penalty and may lead to suspension (s.44); a licensee who harms public health, safety, order or the gaming industry faces revocation (s.38). The Authority keeps an exclusion list for gaming establishments (ss.7(1)(f), 49).

Criminal penalties

Gaming or offering betting without a licence: up to $150,000 or 3 years or both, and no licence for 5 years (s.13). Continuing after suspension: $500,000 or 7 years (s.44(3)). Possessing a gaming device without a licence, or obtaining a licence by deception: $250,000 or 5 years (ss.40, 41). Letting minors play: up to $100,000 (s.36); letting barred citizens play: $150,000 (s.39). Running a lottery outside the National Lotteries Authority: $50,000 or 10 years or both (National Lotteries Authority Act s.30(2)).

Operator liability

Anyone who conducts gaming, offers live, non-remote or remote betting, or supplies gaming devices without a licence commits an offence under s.13 of the Gaming, Racing and Betting Act; anyone who promotes or conducts an unauthorised lottery or pool betting game commits an offence under s.30(2) of the National Lotteries Authority Act.

Player liability

We found no offence for players. The duties to keep out minors and barred citizens fall on the operator (ss.36, 36A, 39).

1. 31 Dec 1998

   National Lotteries Authority Act comes into force, replacing the St. Lucia National Lottery with the National Lotteries Authority

2. 14 May 2001

   Gaming Control Act 2000 comes into force, establishing the Gaming Authority and casino licensing

3. 18 Oct 2004

   Casinos allowed outside 250 room hotels if at least 200 people are employed

4. 12 Feb 2005

   CBN St. Lucia Inc. takes over as manager and operator of the national lottery under a 20 year contract

5. 26 Oct 2009

   Order sets the bar on Saint Lucian citizens gaming, with exceptions for dual citizens and casino membership schemes

6. 31 Dec 2018

   Gaming Control Act renamed the Gaming, Racing and Betting Act; racecourse operator and betting provider licences created

7. 16 Sept 2019

   Online gaming and remote betting brought within the Act; minimum betting age of 18 set

8. 3 Aug 2020

   Employment threshold for a casino outside a 250 room hotel lowered to 100

9. 4 Dec 2020

   Bond and Security Instrument Regulations in force

10. Jan 2021

    CFATF publishes the Saint Lucia mutual evaluation, recording one operating casino

11. 2 Aug 2023

    Health and Citizen Security Levy of 2.5% comes into force, listing gambling and betting activities

12. 27 Mar 2024

    Parliament authorises a Government guarantee of an XCD 80 million loan to the National Lotteries Authority for youth and sports infrastructure

13. Oct 2024

    CFATF follow-up re-rates Saint Lucia largely compliant on casino and DNFBP supervision (R.28)

We found no gambling bill or consultation. Three things to watch. The betting provider fee in s.30A still awaits a prescribed rate. The national lottery's management contract with CBN St. Lucia Inc. ran for 20 years from 12 February 2005; the lottery's online terms, updated in March 2026, still name CBN St. Lucia Inc. as operator, and we found no published renewal. Saint Lucia is preparing for its CFATF fifth round mutual evaluation, and the 2024 follow-up left open gaps on vetting casino owners and on supervising gaming operators below the $8,000 threshold.

Can an operator get an online casino licence in Saint Lucia?

Online gaming is within the Gaming, Racing and Betting Act since 2019, but it is licensed through a gaming operator licence granted by Cabinet for approved premises, which must be a hotel of at least 250 rooms or premises continuously employing at least 100 people. We found no stand-alone remote licence and no public register of online licensees.

Is online sports betting licensed?

Yes. A betting provider licence covers live, non-remote and remote betting. The Board issues a provisional licence on application with the Minister's approval and must approve the Rules of Betting, types of betting, machines and locations. The monthly betting provider fee is to be prescribed, and we found no rate set.

Can Saint Lucians gamble in the country's casino?

Only in limited cases. Citizens of Saint Lucia are barred from gaming unless they also hold another citizenship or belong to a membership scheme of an approved casino, and operators face a $150,000 fine for letting a barred person play. Everyone must be 18.

How is gambling taxed?

Gaming operators pay a monthly fee of 8% of the gross revenue of their gaming activities to the Accountant General. Gambling and betting activities are also listed for the 2.5% Health and Citizen Security Levy. The National Lotteries Authority's income is exempt from income tax, and the national lottery says jackpots are not taxed.

Who runs the lottery?

The National Lotteries Authority is responsible for operating lotteries, with Windward Islands Lottery Incorporated authorised to run multi-island games. CBN St. Lucia Inc. has managed the national lottery for the Authority since 2005.

Who supervises gambling businesses for anti-money laundering purposes?

The Financial Intelligence Authority, which supervises licensed gaming operators for transactions of $8,000 or more and anyone engaged in internet gaming and wagering services.

• Dominica
• Grenada
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Barbados

1. Gaming, Racing and Betting Act, Cap. 13.13, Revised Edition showing the law as at 31 December 2022, with its subsidiary legislation

   Government of Saint Lucia (Revised Edition of the Laws, hosted by the Parastatal Monitoring Department)

   Consolidates Act 29 of 2000 (the Gaming Control Act) as amended by Acts 5 of 2003, 13 of 2004, 18 of 2018, 24 of 2019 and 7 of 2020 and S.I. 101/2009. The National Printing Corporation lists no later gaming, racing or betting Act or statutory instrument up to 2026. The Control Regulations and the Accounting and Internal Control Regulations printed with it still use their 2001 citations (Gaming Control Regulations, Gaming (Accounting and Internal Control) Regulations) and refer to the Board of the Gaming Authority.

   Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published 31 Dec 2022
2. Gaming Control (Amendment) Act, 2018 (Act No. 18 of 2018)

   National Printing Corporation, Saint Lucia

   Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published 31 Dec 2018
3. Gaming, Racing and Betting (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act No. 24 of 2019)

   National Printing Corporation, Saint Lucia

   Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published 16 Sept 2019
4. Gaming, Racing and Betting (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act No. 7 of 2020)

   Parliament of Saint Lucia

   Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published 3 Aug 2020
5. Gaming Control (Amendment) Act, 2004 (Act No. 13 of 2004)

   National Printing Corporation, Saint Lucia

   The National Printing Corporation index lists this Act as "Act No. 11 of 2004"; the printed Act and the Revised Edition both number it Act No. 13 of 2004.

   Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published 18 Oct 2004
6. Gaming Control (Amendment of Schedule) Order 2009 (S.I. No. 101 of 2009)

   National Printing Corporation, Saint Lucia

   Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published 26 Oct 2009
7. Gaming, Racing and Betting (Bond and Security Instrument) Regulations, 2020 (S.I. No. 198 of 2020)

   National Printing Corporation, Saint Lucia

   Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published 4 Dec 2020
8. National Lotteries Authority Act, Cap. 13.20, Revised Edition showing the law as at 31 December 2022

   Government of Saint Lucia (Revised Edition of the Laws, hosted by the Parastatal Monitoring Department)

   Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published 31 Dec 2022
9. National Lotteries Authority (Amendment) Act 2005 (Act No. 8 of 2005)

   National Printing Corporation, Saint Lucia

   Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published 31 Jan 2005
10. Resolution of Parliament authorising the Minister of Finance to guarantee borrowing by the National Lotteries Authority (S.I. No. 41 of 2024)

    National Printing Corporation, Saint Lucia

    Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published 27 Mar 2024
11. Health and Citizen Security Levy Act, 2023 (Act No. 16 of 2023), sections 8, 9, 15 and Schedules 2 and 3

    National Printing Corporation, Saint Lucia

    Amended by Act No. 21 of 2023 (definitions of consideration and registered person). We could not open the Value Added Tax Act, Cap. 15.42 (the National Printing Corporation copy is password protected), so we could not check whether gambling services are exempt from VAT, which would also take them out of the levy (Schedule 3 Part 2).

    Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published 18 Jul 2023
12. Laws: Acts and Statutory Instruments by year, 2001 to 2026 (index searched for gaming, betting, racing, casino and lottery titles, 24 September 2026)

    National Printing Corporation, Saint Lucia

    Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026
13. Money Laundering (Prevention) Act, Cap. 12.20, Revised Edition showing the law as at 31 December 2023, section 17(1) and Schedule 2 Part B

    Financial Intelligence Authority, Saint Lucia

    Later amended by Act No. 18 of 2024 (in force 11 November 2024), which does not change the gaming entries in Schedule 2.

    Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published 31 Dec 2023
14. Registration of Supervised Entities Act, Cap. 12.36, Revised Edition showing the law as at 31 December 2023, section 2

    Financial Intelligence Authority, Saint Lucia

    Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published 31 Dec 2023
15. Register of Supervised Entities (list of registered entities, April 2026: accountants, attorneys, dealers in precious metals, motor vehicle dealers and real estate agents; no gaming entity)

    Financial Intelligence Authority, Saint Lucia

    Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026
16. Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing measures: Saint Lucia, Mutual Evaluation Report (January 2021), paras. 304, 349, 380 to 382 and criterion 28.1 (pp. 79, 87, 95, 168)

    Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (published by the FATF)

    Describes the regulator as the Gaming Authority under the Gaming Control Act, the names in use before the 2018 amendment, and says the Gaming, Racing and Betting Authority grants gaming operator licences; under the Act Cabinet grants them on the Board's recommendation (ss.20 and 21).

    Tier 2Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published Jan 2021
17. Saint Lucia: 4th Enhanced Follow-up Report and Technical Compliance Re-rating (October 2024), Recommendation 28 (pp. 21 to 22)

    Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (published by the FATF)

    Tier 2Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published Oct 2024
18. Saint Lucia Reviews National Risk Assessment Report ahead of Fifth-Round Mutual Evaluation

    Attorney General's Chambers, Saint Lucia

    Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026
19. About Us: history of the National Lotteries Authority and the St. Lucia National Lottery

    St. Lucia National Lottery (CBN St. Lucia Inc., operator for the National Lotteries Authority)

    Tier 2Accessed 24 Sept 2026
20. Help and FAQ (prize claims, taxation of jackpots, where the money goes)

    St. Lucia National Lottery (CBN St. Lucia Inc., operator for the National Lotteries Authority)

    Tier 2Accessed 24 Sept 2026
21. Terms and Conditions for the St Lucia National Lottery online page (Let's Bet), last updated 17 March 2026

    St. Lucia National Lottery (CBN St. Lucia Inc., operator for the National Lotteries Authority)

    Clause 16.3 refers to reporting suspicious acts to the "National Banking and Insurance Commission", a body that does not exist in Saint Lucia (the AML authority is the Financial Intelligence Authority); we rely on these terms only for the operator, the games offered, the age rule and the location rule.

    Tier 2Accessed 24 Sept 2026
22. Sportsbook Terms and Conditions: Let's Bet Saint Lucia, last updated September 2026

    St. Lucia National Lottery (CBN St. Lucia Inc., operator for the National Lotteries Authority)

    States that the sportsbook is subject to regulations imposed by the National Lotteries Authority. The Gaming, Racing and Betting Act makes remote betting subject to a betting provider licence from Cabinet (ss.13(1)(e) and 14(1)(f)); we found no public statement of which licence covers this sportsbook.

    Tier 2Accessed 24 Sept 2026
23. Help: Let's Bet Saint Lucia (account verification, deposits, responsible gaming limits), last updated 23 March 2026

    St. Lucia National Lottery (CBN St. Lucia Inc., operator for the National Lotteries Authority)

    Tier 2Accessed 24 Sept 2026
24. FAQ: Let's Bet Gaming (online slot and table games offered by Saint Lucia National Lottery), last updated 17 March 2026

    St. Lucia National Lottery (CBN St. Lucia Inc., operator for the National Lotteries Authority)

    Tier 2Accessed 24 Sept 2026