Casino Law (Honduras)

Is there a law on casinos and gambling houses? (Honduras)

1) What is formally today

Lotteries. The national lottery is enshrined in a separate law (Ley Orgánica de la Lotería Nacional, Decree No. 438, 1977), which is also confirmed in the international annexes of Honduras to CAFTA. This is the most clearly described section of the gambling sphere.

Casino/offline lounges. There is no special, uniform framework law of the "Casino Act" level; practice developed according to permissive logic (hotels/shopping centers in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sul, etc.), with local cash register/operating mode rules. The industry profile is described as a "vacuum of detailed norms + fragmentary enforcement."

Online. There is no national B2C licensing regime; access to the game is provided by international (offshore) sites, which industry reviews call "neither unauthorized nor explicitly allowed" - in fact, outside the local license.

2) What's changing: 2024 online project

In October 2024, MP Dunіya Jimenez (PSH) publicly announced a draft law to regulate online casinos and negotiations with foreign investors (Tegucigalpa). This indicates a political request to "get online out of the gray area" and create a license/supervision regime. Status - an initiative/discussion that has not passed a comprehensive law.

3) Practice: how segments really work

Offline halls/" hotel casinos. " Compact platforms with emphasis on slots and electronic tables, evening schedule, local cash procedures; tourists are advised to choose hotel halls/tourist-approved facilities.

Online play. Honduran users often play on international platforms (Spanish interface, mobile UX), passing KYC and using cards/wallets/stablecoins; there is no national "Honduran" online license for such operators.

4) What's important for players to know

Check T&C and KYC. Foreign sites have their own rules and jurisdictions (licenses of Malta, Curacao, etc.). Keep screenshots of deposits/withdrawals and receipts.

Without "bypassing" geo. The use of VPNs to circumvent restrictions is often prohibited by the terms and conditions and threatens to cancel the win. (Check the operator-specific rules.)

Responsible play. Set time and budget limits, take breaks, do not use loans to "play." (A general industry requirement that is reinforced in regulatory projects.)

5) What matters to business

Offline. Transparent payment procedures (compromante/check), bilingual front ES/EN, secure logistics at night. Such standards improve reputation and reduce regulatory risks.

Online. Monitor the progress of licensing initiatives, prepare KYC/AML, RG module (limits/self-exclusion), reporting on payments and payment channels - this is what usually turns out to be at the center of future laws.

6) Short FAQ

Does Honduras have a "casino law"?

There is no single modern framework law. There is a formalized scope of lotteries and permit/regulation practices for offline; online - without a national license.

Are online casinos "legal"?

There is no clear local license for online operators; players use offshore sites on the terms of those jurisdictions. In 2024, an online regulation project was publicly announced.

Where to see the "official" part?

To understand the basic "white" zone, read the rules on the national lottery (Decree No. 438, 1977).

Honduras does not have a single special casino law, and the legal framework consists of: (1) formalized lotteries, (2) permissive practices for offline sites, and (3) actual access to international online without a national license. The online regulation initiative that appeared in 2024 is a chance to "whitewash" the segment, uniform KYC/AML rules and consumer protection - but this is a project, not an existing law.

Note: The legal environment is changing. If you need specific articles/clauses for the contract/policies, tell me - I will prepare a point extract of norms and links to primary sources.