Online Gaming Regulatory Outlook (Honduras)

1) Starting point: what is now

Online marketplace: Honduras does not have a dedicated online gaming law and licenses for private operators; the offline segment is regulated, but online remains the "virgin" market for formal regulation.

The basic framework of gambling is built on the Casino and Luck Games Act (the historical basis of offline regulation).

Goslotereya/lottery products (LOTO/LOTELHSA) work according to their own regulations and tax rules (for example, withholding 10% from large winnings), which shows the state's readiness to administer game payments and compliance.

2) What's changing: The online gaming bill

Key event: On October 1-2, 2024, MP Dunya Jimenez (PSH) publicly introduced a draft law to legalize and regulate online casinos and betting. The Ministry of the Interior and Justice (Gobernación y Justicia) was called the responsible department for the regulations.

The initiative was accompanied by negotiations with foreign investors (including representatives of German business), which indicates a focus on the exported licensing model and the inflow of taxes/jobs.

As of October 2025, there is no confirmation of the adoption of a separate online law - we are talking about the preparation/socialization of the initiative. In practice, the country still belongs to unregulated online markets.

3) Regional benchmarks and trend pressures

Peru completed the regulatory cycle: the law (2023), regulations (October 2023) and the start of licensing (February 2024) - this creates a reference model for neighbors and the argument "not to lose the tax base."

In general, the number of regulated online markets is growing around the world, while unregulated countries are gradually becoming a minority - the trend is increasing the incentive for Honduras to move towards a transparent regime.

4) Potential architecture of future law (which is likely to emerge)

1. Operator and vendor licensing (B2C/B2B), with only certified content allowed.

2. Appointment of a regulator in the perimeter of the Ministry of Gobernación y Justicia (rulemaking/supervision).

3. Taxes and fees: one-time license fee, annual fee, GGR tax; special rules for deductions with winnings (focus on lottery approaches already used).

4. Responsible game: limits, self-exclusion, ban on playing minors (direct inheritance of offline norms).

5. AML/KYC: mandatory verification, transaction monitoring, reporting. (Industry standard and regional practice.)

6. Advertising and marketing: restrictions on bonuses and promotions, risk warnings (global trend to tighten consumer awareness).

5) Drivers and barriers to reform

• Tax revenues and employment are the main argument of the authors of the initiative.
• Suppression of "gray" activity and protection of players through the official mechanisms of self-excluge and KYC.
• Investor interest (Tegucigalpa meetings) as a signal to move operations from offshore jurisdictions to a locally licensed environment.

• Political and legal turbulence (for example: the revision of the ZEDE special economy zones by the Supreme Court in 2024) can increase regulatory uncertainty for investors.
• Limited administrative resources to launch new supervision and certification procedures.
• Advertising/consumer protection balance: tightening of promotional tools according to world patterns is likely.

6) Scenarios 2025-2030

• Adoption of a framework law/regulation in 2026-2027, the start of the "first wave" of licenses within 12-18 months. after the publication of by-laws. Focus - online casinos, bets, live dealers, control through a single regulator. At the first stage - a limited quota and increased capital/certification requirements. (Relying on Peru's pace as a guide.)

• Acceleration of the process with a broad political coalition: law + regulations in one cycle, issuance of the first licenses by the end of 2026; B2B export rate (content/payment infrastructure) following the example of Malta/Curacao, as the initiators spoke about.

• Long "socialization" of the project and transfer to the next convocation; partial legalization of individual verticals (for example, only rates) through pilots with the participation of the state lottery.

7) What it will mean for players and operators

• The emergence of locally licensed sites, official protection mechanisms, transparent payments and understandable taxes on large winnings.
• Stricter CCL/limits, possible limits on bonuses and advertising.

• Need for local presence/agent, RNG/Live technical certification, GGR reporting and payment of fees. (Regional norm.)
• Competition with state lottery products and possible exclusives in individual verticals (legacy of current LOTO practices).

8) Practice guidelines for 2025

Monitor the passage of the Jimenez initiative in the relevant congressional committees and publications from Gobernación y Justicia.

Evaluate regulatory KPIs following the example of Peru: deadlines for accepting applications, lists of technical certifications and financial requirements.

Players - focus on transparent jurisdictions before the advent of a local license; check the terms of taxes/payments for existing legal products (lotteries).

Honduras has come to the "frontier of decision": the political initiative of 2024 formally opened the discussion of full licensing of online games, but as of October 2025 there is no special law yet. It is most realistic to expect the launch of an adjustable model in the horizon 2026-2027, with the gradual strengthening of responsible play, AML/KYC and marketing constraints by global standards. For the market, this means a transition from a "gray" practice to a transparent licensing system, GGR taxation and supervision, which should increase player protection and predictability for investors.

• Draft law and the role of the ministry: reports October 1-2, 2024 (Yogonet, Focus Gaming News; confirmation of business meetings - SoloAzar/MundoVideo).
• Legal framework offline/lotteries: Casino Act (PDF TSC), LOTO regulations.
• International context: market status references and regulatory trends (Slotegrator, Vixio; case of Peru).