Basic Laws: Casino Gaming Act (Saint Kitts and Nevis)

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1) What exactly is considered the "main law"

In St. Kitts and Nevis, the role of the "Casino Gaming Act" is actually played by the Gaming (Control) Act, 2021 - a systemic act that "restarted" the regulation of the gambling industry, established the Gaming Commission and described the types of licenses, compliance and supervision requirements. This is Law No. 11 of March 26, 2021, published in Extra-Ordinary Gazette No. 15/2021.

💡 Before him, Betting and Gaming Control Act 1999 was in effect, which created the Saint Christopher and Nevis Gaming Board and set the early control architecture. In 2021, it was replaced by a new commission and expanded rules.

2) Institutions and scope

Gaming Commission: an independent regulator with the authority to license, inspect, maintain a register, cooperate with other departments and attract experts.

The scope of the law: land casinos/slot halls and other forms of "gaming." (Separately: Nevis Online Gaming Ordinance 2025, which established the Nevis Online Gaming Authority (NOGA) for online operators, is adopted on the Nevis side in 2025.)

3) License types and basic logic

Act 2021 describes the types of licenses (casino, gaming machine/route, etc.), submission procedures and eligibility criteria for applicants (fit and proper). Separate sites require separate licenses, and opening/moving points - only with the prior approval of the Commission.

Validity period: licenses are annual, with mandatory renewal (payment of the annual fee until January 31 and compliance with the conditions).

Updating the lists: in 2022, the Amendment of Schedule Order was published, clarifying the appendices to the act.

4) Key operator requirements

KYC/AML: proper identification of customers, procedures for monitoring and reporting suspicious transactions, storage of data and logs. (The requirements follow the spirit of FATF and are disclosed in the act/bylaws of the regulator itself.)

Operational standards: RNG/equipment certification, incident log, regulator notifications of significant changes, location and closure approvals.

Responsible play (RG): admission rules (18 +), informing players, self-exclusion procedures and internal policies for protecting vulnerable consumers (the body of norms is enshrined in the act and practices of the Commission).

5) Supervision, reporting and sanctions

The Commission is empowered to conduct inspections, demand reports (including financial and operational), suspend or revoke licenses in case of violations, as well as coordinate any changes in places of business (within the country and abroad for legal entities registered under the law of the federation).

6) How does this compare to online gaming

Federal circuit (2021) - about offline and general control system.

Neevis Circuit (2025) - about online: NOGA licenses and controls e-gaming from Nevis, forming a separate regulatory "door" for iGaming operators. Publications of 2025 record the adoption of the bill and the launch of organs, although the full consolidated text of the ordinance in the public domain appeared with a delay.

7) Historical context in two strokes

1999: Betting and Gaming Control Act - early legal framework and Gaming Board.

2021: Gaming (Control) Act - new commission and modern licensing/supervision system.

2025 (Nevis): Online Ordinance + NOGA as a separate "online door."

8) What is important for an investor/operator to know

1. Check primary sources: the official PDF of the 2021 act is on the Law Commission and FSRC websites.

2. Plan an annual cycle: annual license; transfer/opening of sites - only with preliminary approval.

3. Online - via Nevis (NOGA): for e-gaming, focus on Ordinance 2025 and the requirements of the Nevis Online Authority.

9) Short FAQ

Is it "Casino Gaming Act" or "Gaming (Control) Act"?

In the country, the key law is called Gaming (Control) Act, 2021, it covers casinos and other segments. Betting and Gaming Control Act 1999.

Who issues permits?

For offline - Gaming Commission by act 2021; for online in Nevis - NOGA Ordinance 2025.

How long is the license given?

For 1 year, with annual renewal and payment of fees on time.

Can the site be opened/moved without separate approval?

No, it isn't. This requires prior approval by the Commission; local companies also have restrictions on opening/closing sites abroad without notice.

10) Withdrawal

For St. Kitts and Nevis, the "basic casino law" is the Gaming (Control) Act, 2021: it sets the license architecture, introduces the Gaming Commission, defines the annual renewal cycle and strict KYC/AML and RG rules. Historically, it changed the 1999 frame, and in the online part, the ecosystem is complemented by the non-Jewish NOGA for Ordinance 2025. This "two-circuit" approach balances the tourism economy, player protection and predictability for investors.