Payments - Haiti

1) Cards (Visa/Mastercard): where they work and what are the restrictions

In everyday transactions, cash remains the main means of payment, and debit/credit cards accept mainly "established" businesses - large hotels, supermarkets, chains in the capital; outside of these clusters, coverage is smaller. For players and operators, this means dependence on a specific point (POS terminals are not everywhere) and possible interruptions in communication/electricity.

• acquiring is available primarily in the capital;
• fees and chargeback risk are higher in unstable communications;
• guests often pay USD/HTG in cash and cards are used for accommodation/restaurant.

2) Mobile translations: MonCash as a de facto standard

MonCash (Digicel operator) is the country's most massive mobile wallet: P2P transfers, replenishment through a network of agents, payment for services. The service is positioned as "a convenient way to securely manage money for daily transactions"; official GSMA/industry materials and references highlight the broad agency network and millions of active users. For cash rooms and payouts, this is an important local rail.

• Retail lottery points and small halls are increasingly focused on cash-in/out through agents and P2P wallets (for deposits/payments in small amounts).
• Identity confirmation (SIM-KYC) and wallet limits - MonCash operator zone; they do not replace the requirements of the games regulator.

3) LEH POS reform for the offline market (lotteries, retail)

From October 1, 2025, the Haiti Lottery (LEH) announced the launch of a digital platform: only LEH POS terminals are allowed for operations in the gambling system, with a grace period until January 1, 2026 to "regularize" operating points. For payment discipline, this is a key change: retail transactions will be included in the regulator's "end-to-end accounting," which affects reporting, revenue control and fiscal revenues.

4) Cryptocurrencies: Convenient for cross-border payments but a'legal vacuum'

Haiti has no specific law or regulation on cryptocurrencies; profile trackers and legal reviews indicate the absence of direct regulation (they are not legal tender, the status is controversial). Consequently, crypto payments are a high-risk area (KYC/AML, returns, consumer protection) and do not give the operator "local legality."

• offline casino/lottery - in focus LEH-POS and local means of payment;
• crypto can be used by players on foreign sites, but this is outside local regulation and carries consumer and legal risks.

5) Taxes and calculations: TCA (10%) and equipment import

When planning payment infrastructure, take into account the general fiscal rules: TCA (analogue of VAT) - 10% for goods/services and imports (application to the rates themselves may differ; to related services - usually applicable). Import of terminals/IT equipment is subject to duties/fees, on the basis of which TCA is charged.

6) Practical scenarios for operators

A) Casino/lounge in the metropolitan cluster (Petionville)

• Connect MonCash for small deposits/payments and customer services;

Transfer lottery sales and cash desk to POS LEH and synchronize reporting.

B) Small lottery point

The main rail is POS LEH + MonCash (agents nearby);

Cash management and collection more often in HTG/USD, with daily uploading of data to the LEH digital platform.

C) Tourist site (hotel-casino)

• MonCash - for local guests and small payments;

Clearly separate "game" and "non-game" transactions in accounting.

7) Risks and compliance checklist

Cards: communication interruptions → offline drivers/double charges; keep a backup communication channel and regulations on chargebacks.

MonCash: Wallet Limits and Agency Availability → Check clients' acceptance/payment limits and KYC.

Cryptocurrencies: no local regulation → no consumer protection, banking and regulatory issues on AML/KYC.

LEH-POS: non-fulfillment of requirements → risk of sanctions/suspension of the point. Keep an eye on LEH's "AVIS" and regularization timing.

Haiti's payment landscape in the gambling sector is built on a combination of cash/cards (point, mainly in the capital) and MonCash mobile wallets for everyday transfers. The LEH regulator transfers offline retail to mandatory POS (from 01. 10. 2025), strengthening fiscal control. Cryptocurrencies remain in the "gray" zone without local regulation - their use increases legal and consumer risks. For sustainable operations, operators should rely on LEH-POS + MonCash and keep cards as a service for tourists, complying with KYC/AML and tax requirements (including TCA 10% for related services/imports).