Crypto Bookmakers and Mobile - Barbados

Crypto Bookmakers and Mobile Betting (Barbados)

1) Picture of the law: where is the "white zone," and where is not

Barbados has three key gambling acts:

Gambling, Cap. 134 - basic prohibitions (including common gaming house) and procedural norms.
Betting & Gaming, Cap. 134A - licenses for slot machines/halls, on-/off-course and pool betting rules, charity lotteries. There is no special mode for online sports books.
Betting & Gaming Duties Act, Cap. 60 - rates and charges, including for pool betting and cross-border pools.

Conclusion: in the local "white zone" - a tote at the races under the auspices of the Barbados Turf Club (BTC); there is no separate licensing for online bookmakers (including "crypto bookmakers"). Everything that looks like a universal online sports book for football/cricket/basketball works outside of Barbados supervision.

2) What's legal online: BTCBets (betting on the run)

Barbados Turf Club from 2020 offers BTCBets - the official web/mobile channel for betting on local races and simulcast; this is exactly pari-mutuel (pool) wagering, and not fixed coefficients for all sports. Settlements and payments are made in Barbados dollars.

For the player, this means: if you want to bet online legally - do it through BTCBets (or at Garrison Savannah racetrack itself); everything else is not about a locally licensed product.

3) Who are the "crypto bookmakers" and why are these offshore for Barbados

"Crypto bookmakers" are usually understood as foreign sites that accept deposits/conclusions in cryptocurrencies and offer lines to world sports. For Barbados, these are:

not locally licensed (no separate online sports book act);
there is no local mechanism for complaints and guarantees of payments;
payment and cyber risks - in the event of a dispute, you will have to contact the foreign regulator/court, and not the Barbados authorities. At the level of the Central Bank of Barbados, the sensitivity of the financial sector to digital/cyber risks is emphasized and technological guidelines for banks are introduced - this is an important context of any "crypto activity."

💡 Note: Publications on the "accessibility" of offshore sites to Barbadians do not create legal safeguards in Barbados' jurisdiction. There is no local licensing regime specifically for online sports books as of October 2025.

4) Mobile betting: what works in practice

Legal: Mobile/web betting on running through BTCBets (registration, refill, betting from home or from the stands).

Illegal/out of bounds: "home" chat pools, reception of fixed coefficients in bars/shops, any universal "mobile sports books" without connection with BTC - this falls under Cap. 134/134A does not pay Cap fees. 60.

5) Risks of "crypto betting" for a resident and a tourist

1. Lack of local consumer protection. There is no regulator where to complain about non-payment/blocking.

2. Cybersecurity. Phishing clones, key/wallet leaks, weak KYC/2FA procedures. The central bank separately focuses cyber risks in the financial sector.

3. Payment and compliance issues. Cryptodeposites are difficult to challenge; for large amounts, AML issues may arise when converting to bank channels.

4. Legal uncertainty. Without a local license, the online operator is not bound by Barbados rules on RG/AML/advertising.

6) How to distinguish an offshore crypto bookmaker (checklist)

No mention of Barbados Turf Club or Barbadian licence/supervision.

Lines are offered for all sports with fixed coefficients for residents of Barbados - despite the fact that there is no local regime.

Crypto-only deposits/findings, insufficient information on KYC, jurisdiction and grievance body.

7) Responsible scenario for the player (2025)

Want legal and mobile - use BTCBets (running/simulcast), check payout rules and currency (BBD).

If you're a tourist, plan a visit to Garrison Savannah: atmosphere + legal sweepstakes.

Adhere to RG rules: 18 +, set budget/time in advance, keep checks to OFFICIAL status, pause.

8) What to do business

Not launching a "crypto sports book for Barbados" without a local regulatory framework - Cap risks. 134/134A/60 on bank compliance.

Consider partnerships with BTC as part of pool betting and payment of fees (Cap. 60); monitor digital cyber risk guidelines published by the Central Bank.

9) Horizon 2025-2030

The basic scenario is the preservation of an offline core (lotto, halls, running) and a narrow online niche through BTCBets. If a separate "online act" is adopted (according to the trend of the region), we can expect a GGR reporting mode, KYC/AML, a complaint mechanism - then part of the offshore traffic will go to the "white" zone. In the meantime, crypto bookmakers remain offshore for Barbados, and the secure mobile bet is a BTC sweepstakes.

For Barbados in 2025, "crypto bookmaker" = offshore without a local license and guarantees. The only legal online/mobile option is Barbados Turf Club's BTCBets for pari-mutuel running bets; everything else is outside Barbados supervision and with increased cybersecurity and payment risks. Hold on to the "white" channels, observe 18 + and practice responsible play.