Who regulates the market (Gaming Control Board Belize)

1) Who is Gaming Control Board Belize

The Gaming Control Board (GCB) is Belize's primary government body that licenses and controls all types of gambling (including casinos and online gaming) under the Gaming Control Act and bylaws. The Council acts on behalf of the Government of Belize and publishes official clarifications on the legality of online gaming and licensing.

2) Legal basis and place in the system of state bodies

Basic Law - Gaming Control Act (Cap. 152), which establishes the Council and describes its powers. For the online segment, Online Gaming Regulations 2004 operates, which additionally provides for a specialized licensing committee under the Council. Administration and paperwork on applications is carried out through the relevant economic/investment departments of Belize (Ministry of Investment/Trade & Commerce), which is reflected in the official forms and contacts for applicants.

3) Composition and independence of the regulator

By law, the GCB has nine members appointed by the minister, with inter-ministerial representation from key economic and oversight blocs of the state. Among them are representatives of the Ministry of Economic Development, Natural Resources and Environment, Tourism, Industry/Trade, National Security, Financial Secretary, member of the Lottery Committee, as well as two members at the discretion of the Minister. This design provides cross-institutional expertise and a balance of interests.

4) Powers and tasks

Licensing. GCB reviews applications, issues licenses (including online games), sets conditions and requirements for the reputation and financial stability of applicants.

Supervision and compliance. The regulator conducts inspections of compliance with legislation and license conditions, issues public warnings on illegal online operators and coordinates with relevant government agencies (for example, Investment Policy & Compliance Unit).

Sanctions. The Council is authorized to suspend/revoke licenses and apply measures of influence in case of violations. These tools are enshrined in the act and its regulations.

Rulemaking and methodology. GCB is involved in developing and updating by-laws, recommendations and procedures for the market.

5) Licensing procedures: how it works in practice

Application. Applicants submit a package of documents to the Chairman of the Board (Chairman, Gaming Control Board) through the relevant ministry (Investment/Trade & Commerce). Official forms contain an address and a list of applications (including a business plan, corporate documents, certificates and electronic copies on USB media).

Claims and payments. There are set fees and financial guarantees for the online license; industry guidelines for applicants often specify deposit/fees and annual payments, as well as restrictions on the provision of services to local players. (Confirm the specific amounts and conditions against the current official documents and letters of the Council, as they can be updated.)

Communication and checks. Contacts for requests are published in government sources, and the regulator periodically informs the market about the fight against illegal online operators.

6) Interaction with other bodies

For issues of combating money laundering and terrorist financing (AML/CFT), Belize has a specialized infrastructure (for example, FIU), as well as regulatory bodies that oversee international companies and the financial sector. In terms of gambling, it is GCB that plays the key role of coordination and licensing.

7) Transparency, addresses and official announcements

Formal submissions and notifications are made through government channels (including the Press Office), forms and manuals show the working addresses of the Council in Belmopan, which is important for the correct logistics of the applicant. A number of profile guides also provide administrative addresses for the Council (e.g. Sir Edney Cain Building, Belmopan). Always check current address on current forms/notifications.

8) Reforms and updates of legislation

In June 2025, the consolidation Gaming and Lotteries Control Bill, 2025 (project) was introduced, designed to update and combine existing acts into a single framework. For operators and affiliates, this is a signal to monitor changes in regulatory requirements and procedures.

9) What does this mean for operators and partners

Single entry point: All licenses and key approvals go through GCB.

Supervised online segment: there are special rules and a committee under the Council for Internet games; unlicensed activity is publicly prosecuted and blocked.

Dynamics of norms: follow new forms, addresses and draft laws (including 2025 Bill) so as not to miss changes in requirements.

• Gaming Control Act (Cap. 152) - establishment of the Council, composition, basic powers.
• Online Gaming Regulations 2004 - special norms for the online segment and the profile committee.
• Official forms and requirements for applicants (Invest. gov. bz) - addresses, lists of documents, submission procedure.
• Press Office Government Notices - Illegal Gambling Alerts and Contact Details.
• Project Gaming and Lotteries Control Bill, 2025 - future consolidation of the law base.