Belize as jurisdiction for licensing

Executive Summary for Editors

Belize has historically been seen as an understandable and "business" jurisdiction for online gambling, with separate regulations from 2004. But since June 2025, there has been an official moratorium on the issuance of online licenses, and the government directly warns of the inaccuracy of statements about "Belize online licenses." Practically, this means that it is now impossible to issue an online license, and the previously operating model has been frozen until further notice.

Legal basis

Gaming Control Act (Cap. 152) - the basic law establishing a regulator (Gaming Control Board, GCB) and a licensing framework. The current edition of 2020 is available on the Invest Belize portal.

Gaming Control (Online Gaming) Regulations, 2004 - special rules for online: any "online gaming in or out of Belize" requires a GCB license, with a prescribed submission procedure and conditions.

Current Status (2025): Moratorium and Alerts

• The country has a moratorium on the issuance of online licenses ("until further notice").
• Any sites/companies claiming a Belize online license must cease operations; such transactions are recognized as unauthorized and illegal.
• The message was posted on the official website of Invest Belize and dubbed through press channels.

Who regulates

The key body is the Gaming Control Board (GCB). It issues licenses, monitors compliance with conditions, conducts inspections and initiates sanctions for violations. Forms, regulations and contacts for applicants are published on Invest Belize (resource section).

Requirements for applicants (as it was without a moratorium)

• International Business Company (IBC) status;
• at least 25 employees in Belize;
• US $5,000 non-refundable application fee and US $10,000 annual license fee;
• preparation of the business plan and set of documents in the prescribed form (including paper copies for submission to the GCB chairman).
• These parameters are recorded in the official PDF guide Invest Belize (updated in 2022-2023). Clarify the relevance of the amounts when you resume accepting applications.

Procedures and documents

The filing infrastructure is built around a set of standard forms (for casinos, slot machines, etc.) and instructions for paying duties/fees through the treasury. Although they primarily concern offline assets, they illustrate the practice of document management with GCB (purpose of payment, budget classification codes, etc.). For online, a separate package and 2004 regulations are used.

Business model and player geography (historical context)

The 2004 regulations were created as an export-oriented regime: the license allowed online operations "to or from Belize," but the conditions traditionally limited the service of Belizean residents. This design is confirmed by both the Online Gaming Regulations 2004 themselves and official/industry directories. In any case, the restrictions fixed in the license and the current explanations of the regulator apply.

Reforms: What's being prepared

In 2025, the Gaming and Lotteries Control Bill, 2025, is introduced in parliament, which should consolidate and update existing acts (including Cap. 152 и Gambling Prevention Act). The public agenda discusses controversial provisions (including possible exceptions/benefits for individual licenses). Before adoption and entry into force, there is an "old" regime plus a moratorium on online licenses.

Pros and cons of jurisdiction (taking into account 2025)

• Direct, relatively compact regulatory framework (one basic act + online regulations).
• Public infrastructure of application forms and procedures at the regulator (Invest Belize/IPCU).

• Inability to obtain an online license due to the current moratorium.
• Unpredictability of the parameters of the future model until the completion of the parliamentary reform (Bill-2025).

Best Practices for Authors and Operators

1. Fact Check Status: Always check the latest GCB/Invest Belize notices and the National Assembly Bill-2025 summons before publishing.

2. Do not trust "intermediaries": information about the "fast Belizean license" and "zero taxes" without official links - signs of outdated or incorrect marketing; focus on primary sources.

3. Prepare the dossier in advance: if the moratorium is lifted, a package of documents on the guide will come in handy (IBC, staff, compliance, business plan, duties).

Sources and links for the editor

Gaming Control Act (Cap. 152) - the text of the law (ed. 2020).

Gaming Control (Online Gaming) Regulations, 2004 - online regulations.

Online Gaming Application Guidelines (Invest Belize/IPCU) - requirements for applicants (IBC, 25 employees, fees).

Notice: Illegal Online Gaming & Misinformation (9 Jun 2025) - the official announcement of the moratorium.

Gaming and Lotteries Control Bill, 2025 - draft consolidated law.