Lotteries and bingo (Bahamas)

Shortly

There is no national lottery in the country. An attempt to introduce it failed in a referendum on January 28, 2013.

What is legal for residents: licensed gaming houses (web-shops) with "numbers game" and other domestic sector products under the control of the Gaming Board.

Charitable formats: charitable lotteries and bingo/quasi-game entertainment are permissible with the prior written approval of the minister and compliance with the conditions (funds - for the purpose of "without private benefit," etc.).

1) Legal support: what exactly regulates the law

The base frame today is Gaming Act 2014 with by-laws Gaming Regulations 2014 and special Gaming House Operator Regulations 2014. Ones:

retain the ban on the "nationwide" lottery and at the same time legalize the domestic sector (gaming houses) for local players, directly highlight numbers game as a product that can only be offered by the holder of the gaming house operator license, describe tax reporting, KYC/AML and technical requirements (accounting, internal controls, access only for domestic players).

2) "Numbers game" instead of the national lottery

Historically, residents have popular "numbers game" (numbers 000-999 and derivatives). In 2016, the government separately clarified: such products are not a national lottery, but belong to the permitted "numbers games" as part of the Gaming Act 2014 (for example, the game Island Luck).

Key nuances from the law:

numbers game can only be offered by a licensed gaming house operator, operations are conducted only with domestic players (residents of the country) and according to currency control/accounting rules, the regulator can establish requirements for equipment/software, internal controls and limits.

3) Charity lotteries and bingo: when you can

The law allows for charitable lotteries and private/incident lotteries (for example, in bazaars, festivals) if the organizer receives written approval from the minister in advance and complies with the conditions: all net proceeds are for approved charitable purposes; expenses - only "reasonable"; terms and format - within the framework of the permit. The list of "incident entertainment" directly includes events "by type of bingo" (bingo), etc.

💡 Important: this is not a commercial bingo and not permanent halls - we are talking about one-time/serial charity evenings, work jących strictly by permission, with reporting by means and compliance with conditions.

4) What is not provided for by the rules

There is no Gosloterei in its modern form (2013 initiative rejected).

There are no free "online lotteries" according to the type of national e-license; any interactive activity for residents goes through gaming houses and their permitted products.

5) Tourists, casinos and age

Resort casinos Baha Mar and Atlantis - for non-residents 18 + (model "casino for tourists"). There are no lottery products in these casinos: the format of lotteries/bingo in the country is regulated separately (charity events, domestic sector).

6) Practice: Where residents actually play

Gaming houses (web-shops) - the main channel for local (numbers game, sportline, etc.) under the supervision of the Gaming Board. The list of licensed operators and general explanations are published on state resources.

Charity events - bingo/lotteries of a "one-time" nature under the written permission of the minister (organizers - NGOs/communities, funds - for charity).

7) Risks and compliance

Without permission, charity bingo/lottery = violation; the law details the responsibility for conducting/participating in/distributing "gambling tools."

Online offshore (and out-of-jurisdiction "lottery" sites) are not protected by the Bahamian regulator; disputes are resolved at the place of the operator's license. (See 2014 general government policy on the domestic sector).

There is no national lottery in the Bahamas; instead, a licensed domestic sector of gaming houses with numbers game operates for residents, and charity lotteries and bingo are allowed only with the preliminary approval of the minister and with the targeted use of proceeds. A casino product (18 +) is available to tourists - but not a lottery. If you are planning a charity bingo/raffle - first get written permission and strictly follow the conditions.

Sources:

Gaming Act 2014 (consolidation) and numbers game, charity and incident lottery/entertainment provisions.
Gaming Regulations 2014 and Gaming House Operator Regulations 2014 - technical requirements, KYC/AML, internal controls of domestic operators.
Government clarification on Island Luck/Three Ball: numbers game, not a national lottery.
Referendum results 28. 01. 2013 on web-shops and the national lottery - both questions dismissed.
State portal on the regulation of the gambling sector.