Crypto Casino
Torrent Gear
Nicaragua Online Casino
Nicaragua is one of the few Central American countries where gambling is officially legal and under state control. Land-based casinos operate on the basis of licenses, and online gambling develops within the framework of international standards, attracting investors from Latin America, Europe and Asia.
Thanks to a combination of legal status, moderate taxes and growing demand, the country is becoming an important center of the region's gambling industry.
Legislative framework
The main regulatory act governing gambling is
Ley No. 389: Ley de Regulación, Control y Explotación de Casinos y Salas de Juegos (Law No. 389 Regulating, Controlling and Operating Casinos and Gaming Halls), passed in 2001 and supplemented in 2011.
The law clearly defines:- gambling is a legitimate business activity;
- all operators are required to obtain a license from the state;
- activities are controlled by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (Ministerio de Hacienda y Crédito Público, MHCP);
- strict rules on AML (anti-money laundering) and consumer protection are established.
Control over compliance with the law is also carried out by Dirección General de Casinos y Juegos de Azar, which is part of the MHCP structure.
Licensing
Any operator wishing to open a casino or gaming facility in Nicaragua must undergo a licensing procedure that includes:- registration of a legal entity in the country;
- submission of business plan and financial report;
- certification of gaming equipment;
- checking the reputation of owners and sources of capital;
- payment of the registration fee.
- for land-based casinos - from $15,000 to $25,000 USD per year;
- for bookmakers and online projects - from $10,000 USD.
The license is issued for a period of 5 years with the possibility of extension.
Online gambling is not officially described in the law, but is allowed provided that there is a ground licensed operator. Therefore, many companies operate through offshore licenses (Curaçao, Panama, Belize), and national authorities do not restrict access to foreign platforms.
Taxation
Nicaragua's gambling tax system is transparent and beneficial to operators:- 20% Gross Revenue Tax (GGR) from casinos;
- 15% corporate income tax (IR);
- 10% municipal fee from the total turnover of the institution;
- players are exempt from winnings tax.
Part of the taxes is directed to the country's budget and social programs (education, sports, health care).
Online gambling
Despite the absence of a separate law on online gambling, there is no ban on participation in Internet games in the country.
Local players actively use international licensed sites, and offshore companies offer Spanish-language versions of the platforms.
Popular online casinos in Nicaragua:- Bet365, 1xBet, Betway, Stake, Codere, 22Bet, Caliente, LeoVegas, Pin-Up, Spin Casino, Bodog.
- video slots and jackpots;
- roulette, blackjack, baccarat;
- poker and live games with dealers;
- sports and esports betting;
- national and international lotteries.
Online gambling brings significant income to the country through marketing partnerships, advertising and cooperation with payment providers.
Land-based casinos
Casinos in Nicaragua operate legally and are under the control of the Ministry of Finance.
As of 2025, there are about 25 licensed establishments in the country, most of which are located in tourist and business areas.
The most famous casinos:- Casino Pharaohs Managua - the largest in the country, part of the international network;
- Crowne Plaza Casino Managua;
- Casino Emporium Managua;
- Casino Imperial (Leon);
- Casino Princess Granada.
Many casinos are combined with hotels and entertainment centers, making them part of the tourist infrastructure.
Payment methods
The main currency is the Nicaraguan cordoba (NIO), but the gambling sector makes extensive use of US dollars (USD).
Popular payment methods:- Visa, MasterCard, American Express;
- Skrill, Neteller, ecoPayz, PayPal;
- Paysafecard, AstroPay, MuchBetter;
- bank transfers (BAC, Lafise, Banpro);
- cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, USDT, Ethereum, Litecoin) - especially among online users.
The use of crypto payments is growing after the government adopted a digital transformation program in the financial sector.
Responsible play
Nicaragua adheres to Responsible Gaming international standards.
All licensed casinos are required to:- check the age of players (18 +);
- inform about the risks of addiction;
- set limits on deposits and playing time;
- provide the possibility of self-exclusion;
- train staff through the Juego Responsible Nicaragua program.
The country has an independent organization, Fundación Vida Libre, which provides psychological assistance to players suffering from addiction.
Economic importance
Gambling plays an important role in Nicaragua's economy:- bring in more than $70 million in tax revenue annually;
- provide about 4,000 jobs;
- contribute to the development of tourism and hospitality;
- create attractive conditions for foreign investment.
The online segment is showing rapid growth - according to the LatAm Gaming Index (2024), the volume of digital gambling in Nicaragua has reached $150 million USD, and by 2030 it could double.
Challenges and challenges
The main market difficulties are:- lack of a separate law on online gambling;
- the need to update licenses and digital surveillance;
- weak struggles with unlicensed sites;
- limited addiction prevention programs.
- the creation of a government body to oversee iGaming;
- operator registration and mandatory audit;
- the introduction of a tax on online games (15% GGR);
- protecting players and implementing Responsible Gaming.
Development prospects
Nicaragua is gradually becoming an attractive destination for gambling investments, especially in the online segment.
In the coming years, the country is expected to:- will pass a law regulating online casinos;
- establish a national register of operators;
- implement uniform licensing and taxation standards;
- will strengthen control over offshore sites;
- will support the use of cryptocurrencies and fintech innovation.
With a stable economic policy, a transparent tax system and a growing digital sector, Nicaragua is becoming an important player in the Central American iGaming industry, which combines legality, technology development and a safe gaming environment for users.
