Offline Casino - Nicaragua (right)

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1) Status: offline casinos in Nicaragua are legal with permission

The legal framework is set by a special law on the control and regulation of casinos and gambling halls (often cited as Ley No. 766, with subsequent reforms) and its Regulations - Decree No. 06-2015. These acts establish the procedure for authorizing sites, technical and organizational requirements, checks and sanctions.

2) Who regulates: MHCP and Casino Office

Following the 2014 reforms, industry oversight functions were transferred from the tourism authority to the Ministerio de Hacienda y Crédito Público (MHCP). The Regulation directly designates the Casino and Gaming Halls Office under the MHCP as the "authority for the application of the law": it considers applications, issues/extends permits, inspects sites and initiates measures of influence.

3) How to get a right to work: permission and basic requirements

A permit to operate is issued according to the procedure approved by the regulator (application, documents on the owner, site plan, equipment, security measures, etc.). Sources indicate a typical list of requirements in the regulations for permits.

Casino classes. In industry directories based on norms, categories of halls are distinguished: for example, for class A - at least ~ 71 slots and 3 tables; Class B - 25-70 slots, etc. A particular class affects the scope and set of games. (Check MHCP for up-to-date revision when submitting.)

Technical and organizational conditions (according to the Regulations): compliance of the premises, accounting of cash transactions, certified equipment, storage of logs/logs, readiness for inspections.

4) Age access, advertising and responsibility

Age: access to halls - adults only; the operator is obliged to check documents and prevent the admission of minors. These requirements are enshrined in law and supported by sanctions in the Regulations.

Advertising and signs: there are rules of moderation and warnings, the prohibition of the involvement of minor images; violation may entail suspension of activities until elimination.

Responsible play: operators implement basic measures (posters about risks, self-restraint/self-exclusion procedures), which is taken into account during inspections.

5) AML/KYC: casinos - subjects of financial monitoring

Nicaraguan Anti-Laundering Law (Ley No. 977 as amended in 2024) classifies casinos as mandatory subjects of control. This means identifying the customer (KYC), monitoring transactions, storing documents and reporting suspicious activity to Unidad de Análisis Financiero (UAF).

6) Inspections and sanctions

MHCP (through the Casino Office) conducts scheduled and unscheduled inspections: compliance with equipment, cash discipline, security procedures and AML processes. Based on the results, prescriptions, fines, suspension or revocation of permission are applied - depending on the severity of violations.

7) Frequent questions

Online operations without "physics" are possible?

Legal practice in the country treats online activities as derivatives of offline permission (often with reference to an object of class "A"). Final interpretation - for MHCP; ask for an official clarification before starting the project.

Who is the "last resort" in a dispute with the regulator?

The Act itself establishes the Casino Control and Regulatory Board to serve as a second instance/appeal on industry issues.

8) Checklist for investor/operator of offline casino

1. Explore Ley No. 766 (with reforms) and Decree No. 06-2015, verify the current forms and procedures with the MHCP.

2. Determine the class of the future hall (A/B/...) and compliance with the minimum capacity.

3. Embed KYC/AML policy on Ley 977 (responsible employee, thresholds, logs, STR/SAR in UAF).

4. Set up procedures for responsible play and age control; approve advertising/signage regulations.

5. Prepare the site and technical documentation according to the requirements of the Regulations; undergo a pre-inspection audit.

The work of offline casinos in Nicaragua is legal and is based on the link "Law No. 766 + Regulation (Decree No. 06-2015)" under the operational supervision of the MHCP. Successful admission and stable operation depend on correct clearance, compliance with room and equipment requirements, KYC/AML on Ley 977, advertising control and readiness for inspections. This model makes the market predictable for responsible operators and understandable for the state.