Regulation - Nicaragua (MHCP)

Article text

1) Regulatory framework: law + regulation

The basis for regulation is a special law on the control and regulation of casinos and gambling halls (often cited as Ley No. 766, with subsequent reforms; in some summary publications, the Ley No. 776 with incorporated changes). The law creates the Council for the Control and Regulation of Casinos and Gambling Halls - a regulatory level and second instance body in disputes.

Executive detail is enshrined by Decree No. 06-2015 (Regulation to Act 766), which explicitly designates the Casino and Gaming Halls Office at Ministerio de Hacienda y Crédito Público (MHCP) as the authorized authority for the application of the law (auteur de aplicación).

2) Who exactly "rules" the market

MHCP (Ministry of Finance and Public Credit): Through the Casino and Gaming Halls Office, supervises, permits/renewals, rules enforcement, financial monitoring and coordination with other departments. Reforms to the law specifically strengthened the MHCP's role as an "assembly point" of government control.

Casino Control and Regulation Board: regulatory and appellate level (second instance) created by the law itself.

UAF (Unidad de Análisis Financiero): financial intelligence - supervision of AML/CFT compliance; casinos are directly attributed to entities falling under its control under Law No. 977.

DGI (Dirección General de Ingresos): tax coordination and control of fiscal obligations of operators; work is carried out in conjunction with MHCP.

3) Permits and operational practices

The 2015 Regulation fixes the procedure for applying Law 766 and the functionality of the MHCP Casino Office: from requirements for sites/equipment and storage of logs to inspections and sanctions. In official communications, the ministry emphasizes the technical and fiscal control of the sector.

Practical detail for the market: legal advice in the country interprets online activity as derivatives of a physical license (in some cases, you first need to open a category "A" object), referring to the letter of Law 766 and the Regulations; in any case, the final interpretation remains with the MHCP and the competent authorities.

4) KYC/AML, advertising and responsible practices

KYC/AML. Casinos and game halls are "subjects of mandatory control" and must comply with UAF requirements: customer identification, transaction monitoring, suspicious activity reports and documentation storage.

Advertising and access. The law and regulations provide for age restrictions, moderation standards and supervision powers to suspend activities in case of violations; confirmed cases show that MHCP decisions affect the admission/resumption of site operations.

5) How institutions interact (simplified diagram)

1. The operator submits a package to the Casino Office (MHCP) → receives/updates permission.

2. MHCP monitors the compliance of the site, reporting and payment discipline; in controversial cases, the Council is connected as a second instance.

3. For financial compliance, the operator is a UAF entity: mandatory AML/CFT procedures and reporting.

4. Tax reporting and audits are carried out in conjunction with DGI.

6) Frequent business issues

Who is the "main" regulator in practice?

MHCP through the Casino Office - operational regulator and "single window"; Council - rationing and appeals/second instance.

Why do the sources appear numbers 766 and 776?

Historically, the law is known as Ley No. 766 (with reforms including Ley 884). In consolidated editions/databases, publication number 776 occurs with incorporated changes. Use the current texts and regulations of Decree 06-2015.

Online gaming: What counts as the "right" login model?

Check whether your business model allows a bundle with a physical license and how it is interpreted by the MHCP Casino Office; Consider UAF AML requirements. Private practice in the country indicates the priority of "physics → online."

7) What is important to check the investor/operator (checklist)

The current version of Law 766/776 and the Regulations (Decree 06-2015).

Authority of the MHCP Casino Office and itinerary of approvals/inspections.

UAF procedures (KYC policies, limits, STR/SAR).

Tax liabilities and DGI interaction format.

Advertising conditions, age access, hardware/software requirements, log storage.

Nicaragua's regulatory architecture is centralized: the MHCP, through the Casino Office, manages admission and ongoing oversight, the Board provides rationing and appeals, the UAF is responsible for AML/CFT, and the DGI for taxes. It is important for operators to rely on the texts of Law 766 (with reforms) and the 2015 Regulation, build KYC/AML processes and seek clarification directly from MHCP when building models (including online services).