Laws and regulation

The legal basis is Gaming Act, 2014 and by-laws Gaming Regulations, 2014: they consolidate the powers of the Gaming Board, types of licenses (including casino operators) and general compliance/control rules. Casinos in tourist areas (Nassau/New Providence, Freeport, etc.) are allowed, but operate with restricted access for residents: the current norm (inherited from previous legislation) prohibits citizens and residents of the Bahamas from playing casinos, allowing non-residents to play 18 +; the issue of easing the ban is periodically discussed. A separate segment has been legalized for the domestic market - gaming houses (web shops), operating under the Gaming House Operator license and focused on "numbers "/bets via Internet accounts; the rules for them and the requirements for accounts/coverage are spelled out in the regulations and licensing forms. The fiscal regime for web-shops includes an annual license and revenue tax (the choice is 11% of taxable revenue or 25% of EBITDA, they take the larger of the two), which was confirmed when the 2014 rules were introduced. AML/CFT and operating rules (including interactive/proxy formats) are overseen by the Gaming Board through separate casino manuals and rules.