Licence splitting: interactive casinos, bookies, lotteries (Antigua and Barbuda)

Division of licenses: interactive casinos, bookmakers, lotteries

Briefly

Regulation of online games in Antigua and Barbuda relies on two basic types of licenses - Interactive Gaming (online casino/poker and other games) and Interactive Wagering (online bookmaking). These modes are formalized in Interactive Gaming and Interactive Wagering Regulations, 2007 with a procedural part (skedules A-E) and 2008 amendments. There is a separate regulatory framework for lotteries (lottery regulations and acts 2016-2020).

Legal framework and regulator

The main document of the online sector is Regulations Concerning Interactive Gaming and Interactive Wagering (2007), which directly describes: submission of applications, conditions for issue/refusal, fees, criteria for "suitability," change of control, reporting and Key Person mode.

The 2008 amendments clarify and supplement the basic regulations.

Competent authority - Directorate of Offshore Gaming at FSRC; the site lists forms, skedules and contacts.

Lotteries are regulated by separate acts and by-laws (including Gambling Act 2016 and lottery regulations updated in 2020).

Online sector licenses: two separate modes

1) Interactive Gaming - "interactive casinos"

Sphere: RNG and/or live casino games (slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat), poker rooms and other games against casinos/other players in the format of "games." The entire procedure for licensing, "suitability" and further supervision is described in the IGIWR-2007.

• Schedule A/B - legal entity dossier (Business Entity Information) and operating model;
• Schedule C - personal questionnaires of directors/beneficiaries ≥5%;
• Schedule D - extension;
• Schedule E - Key Person License (for key figures, e.g. Compliance/Platform Manager).

KYC/AML and RG: IGIWR requires identity/age/residency verification systems, reporting procedures, audits and key person approvals; application packages directly ask about the availability of age/ID verification programs and backup requirements.

2) Interactive Wagering - "interactive bookmaking"

Sphere: acceptance of bets on sports and other events (fixed caps, live bets) - as a separate license, different from the casino. The submission/evaluation process, "suitability," change of control and reporting are inherited from the same IGIWR-2007.

Procedures and applications: the same skedules (A-E) and Key Person as for Interactive Gaming, but with a reflection of the specifics of risk management and sources of cache lines.

Lotteries: Separate Regulatory Loop

In Antigua and Barbuda, lottery activities are regulated separately from the interactive (online casino/betting) sector. Lottery rules and regulations apply, including requirements for issuing permits, technical and organizational protection, age restrictions and prize features.

• Direct age restrictions and special provisions (e.g. for lotteries with prizes of alcoholic beverages - prohibitions on the sale/receipt of prizes by persons under 18 years of age).
• Requirements for compliance with WLA Security Standard (in terms of commercial lotteries - presumption in favor of compliance).
• The powers of the regulator for the identification/accounting of objects, procedural and technical standards are enshrined in the acts of 2016 and 2020. (including for trade and "community" lotteries).

Important: the lottery license does not replace Interactive Gaming/Wagering and vice versa - these are different modes arising from different regulatory arrays and procedures.

How to choose the type of license: practical logic

Online casino/poker, bingo/slots online → Interactive Gaming.

Online bookmaker (sports/eSports, betting products) → Interactive Wagering.

Circulation, instant lotteries, trade/community lotteries → lottery license within the framework of the relevant regulations/acts (commercial and "community" formats are possible, with their own requirements).

Licensing Procedure (Online Sector)

1. Pre-application preparation - study of FSRC IGIWR-2007 and guides; selection of the license type (Gaming vs Wagering).

2. Submission of the package - Schedules A-C (legal entity, persons ≥5%, key officers), confirmation of KYC/AGE/Geo systems and internal controls; then Schedule D (renewal) and, if necessary, Schedule E (Key Person).

3. Assessment of "suitability" - integrity, experience, financial stability, IT architecture and RG contours; The regulator may request additional information.

4. Decision and supervision - license conditions, reporting, inspections; when changing control - separate notification/approval procedures.

Compliance and Key Person

IGIWR-2007 introduces a Key Person license for positions critical to risk and compliance management (e.g. platform owner, compliance/AML, risk management). Schedule E and Schedule C package required, including photo, prints and review deposit; the applicant shall bear all inspection costs.

How licenses differ in content

The subject of activity: "games" (casino/poker) against "bets" (sports/other events) - two different sets of risks and requirements for reception/settlement systems.

Risk management models: bookmaker - line/limit/margin management and live-raiding tools; the casino has RNG/live content and provider certification. (Both groups are covered by technical/audit requirements IGIWR-2007.)

Advertising/age accents: specific conditions and prohibitions are prescribed for lotteries (including age and subject restrictions).

Where to watch official forms and guides

Licensing Application page with Schedules A-E and general instructions (FSRC → Directorate of Offshore Gaming).

IGIWR-2007 text (full PDF) and Amendment Regulations 2008.

2016/2020 Gambling Act Lottery Regulations and Regulations for trade/community lotteries.

Antigua and Barbuda deliberately licensed online casinos/poker (Interactive Gaming) and online bookmaking (Interactive Wagering), and lotteries were placed in an independent legal framework with their own regulations and standards. This architecture allows you to fine-tune the requirements of the "risk profile" of the product - from KYC/AML and Key Person to technical audits and RG - and maintain a recognizable, procedurally mature jurisdiction.