Cryptocasino and Mobile - Barbados

Growth of cryptocasino and mobile betting (Barbados)

1) Starting point: what is allowed and what is not

The legal outline of Barbados remains offline.

Cap. 134 (Gambling) suppresses "common gaming houses" and sets basic prohibitions.

Cap. 134A (Betting & Gaming) details gaming halls/machines, on-/off-course and pool betting (sweepstakes) and charity lotteries. There is no direct mode for online casinos/sportsbooks.

Cap. 60 (Betting & Gaming Duties Act) - duties and fees (including special rules for pool betting when the promoter is out of Barbados).

The only legal mobile/online niche today is Barbados Turf Club's BTCBets (web/mobile for pari-mutuel to horse racing). This is not a universal sports book.

2) Why the demand for "mobile" is growing

Internet and smartphones. At the beginning of 2024, Internet penetration was estimated ~ 76% of the population (≈215 thousand users) - a strong base for mobile services.

Convenience of format. BTCBets allows you to put from the phone "from home or from the podium," setting a behavioral habit "in two tap-a."

Global rate mobilization. Industry reports record the redistribution of betting to a mobile channel around the world; Barbados is no exception, the only difference is that locally the "white" window is narrow (only running).

3) Where does the "growth of cryptocasino" come from?

While there is no local online license, part of the audience goes to offshore sites, including "cryptocasino" (deposits/conclusions in cryptocurrency). This is outside Barbados supervision and guarantees, the authorities announced the need for the law in March 2023 (the expected bill "for managing online games"). As of October 2025, there is still no separate online act.

4) Risks of mobile and "crypto" for the player and the market

Lack of local consumer protection on offshore platforms: the dispute over payments will have to be conducted in a foreign jurisdiction.

Cyber and technological risks. The Central Bank of Barbados has issued a technology and cyber risk guideline (May 2023) and emphasizes the systemic importance of cyber and AI risks for financial stability - relevant to any "crypto activity."

Taxes/compliance. Bets outside the Cap loop. 60/134A violate fiscal rules (including cross-border pools), and crypto payments complicate the investigation of disputed transactions.

5) What exactly is "white" in mobile today

BTCBets (Barbados Turf Club) - web/mobile for pari-mutuel (local races + simulcast), calculations in BBD, minimum rates and rules are publicly spelled out. For US citizens, restrictions on online rates are explicitly stipulated, and all simulcast rates are in Barbados dollars.

Any attempts to organize a fix factor. sports book "on the phone" without communication with the military-technical cooperation/registration - outside the legal framework.

6) Drivers of growth to 2030

• growth of smartphone and internet coverage (base is already high);
• habit of fast mobile UX via BTCBets ("first legal button" effect);
• potential online bill (if adopted): local licenses, GGR tax, KYC/AML, code advertising → repatriation of part of offshore traffic.

• lack of a separate online act;
• cyber and AML risks for the financial sector (mature supervision and execution will be required).

7) Development Scenarios (2025-2030)

A) Status quo+

BTCBets as the only legal mobile platform (running); offshore cryptocasinos are growing "in the shadows." Plus - low regulatory costs; minus - tax leakage and weak consumer protection.

B) Narrow legalization of online betting/casinos

Parliament passes a short law: B2C licenses, accounting for GGR (not turnover), KYC/AML, local complaints mechanism, advertising restrictions. Cap. 60 is supplemented by a bet on GGR and phi. The result is the transfer of part of the traffic from offshore to the "white" zone without "overheating" of the market.

C) Full codification online

Unified act (sportbook/casino/online bingo) + provider register, RNG audit, self-exclusion, unlicensed domain block lists, public RG metrics. More expensive and longer, but better for the image of the jurisdiction.

8) Practical conclusions - players, business, state

To players

Remember about 18 + and basic RG: budget/time limit, breaks, keeping checks/electronic confirmations until settlement.

To business

Not running a "crypto book for Barbados" without a local regulatory framework - Cap risks. 134/134A/60 and bank compliance. It is better to look for partnerships in pool betting with BTC.

Prepare a stack of KYC/AML, cyber controls and reporting for the future "digital" frame (based on the Central Bank's cyber risk guideline).

To the state

If the goal is to reduce offshore and increase protection: adopt a "narrow" online act with GGR tax, RG/AML, complaints mechanism and block lists. In parallel - educational campaigns on cyber security and Responsible Gaming.

As of October 2025, the growth of cryptocasino and mobile betting in Barbados is explained by simple factors: high Internet accessibility and phone convenience in the absence of a local online license, which pushes part of the demand offshore. The only "white" mobile button is BTCBets (running only). To turn mobile demand into a regulated market with taxes and consumer protection, Barbados needs an online framework: licenses, GGR, KYC/AML accounting and the Central Bank's cyber standard. Until then, crypto casinos will remain an offshore "gray zone," and the responsible mobile bet is a BTC sweepstakes.