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The possibility of legalizing online gambling (St. Lucia)
Short starting point
Today in St. Lucia, bets and ground formats are legally regulated through the Gaming, Racing and Betting Act, in which the 18 + barrier is rigidly fixed (including a separate rule banning bets on minors). At the same time, the National Lottery runs the Let's Bet Sports product (retail + online section with official rules), and bets on races are accepted only 18 + according to the Royal Saint Lucia Turf Club regulations.
At the same time, there is no specialized local regime for online casinos/bookmakers (outside the lottery/hippodrome), and profile reviews directly describe the online market as unsettled.
Where is the bottleneck in current law
Focus - offline and "special modes." The law details prohibitions/controls (including 36 and 36A - "Prohibition on minors"), but does not contain a full chapter on commercial online services (B2C iGaming) outside the lotto/hippodrome.
Licensing is tied to tourism. In terms of licenses for a gambling operator, there is a "threshold" for hotels (for example, the requirement of at least 250 numbers for issuing a license "gaming operator"), which has historically been sharpened for resort ground projects, and not for online ones.
Conclusion: the legal framework is easily applicable to offline formats, but does not fully cover remote services outside the lotto/hippodrome.
Three realistic models of legalization
Model A - Lottery Lock (minimally invasive)
Expand the mandate of Saint Lucia National Lottery (SLNL): add regulated online markets (for example, fixed online sports betting, sweepstakes, etc.) under its umbrella with mandatory publication of rules and reports - similar to the current Rules & Regulations for Let's Bet. Strengths: ready-made infrastructure, single compliance center, instant compatibility with 18 + standards.
Model B - Partial Liberalization (separate online window)
Introduce by-laws/amendments to the current GRB Act by installing licenses for online betting (sports only) with local data hosting, KYC/AML requirements and responsible play tools (limits, reality checks, self-exclusion). Running rates remain under RSLTC with 18 + already prescribed.
Model C - "Full iGaming Mode" (Hardest)
Create a separate chapter/instructions for the GRB Act for online gambling services (sports + casinos/Live games), including a register of providers, RNG/platform certification, responsible advertising, as well as a fit & proper test, audit, log storage and local dispute resolution line.
Risks and how to close them in the bill
1. Player protection (18 +). Reflect 36/36A norms in an online context: strict CUS/age verification, geo-and behavioral control (timeouts, default limits, self-exclusion).
2. AML/CFT and payments. Register a risk-based approach to on/off-ramp (banks, payment providers), log storage and reporting; synchronize with practices that are already in place at track and lottery betting.
3. Consumer disputes. Introduce a local escalation mechanism (administrative review + mandatory ODR procedure for licensees).
4. Advertising and bonuses. Prohibition of targeting minors/vulnerable groups, requirements for transparency of bonus conditions.
5. DCash and "digital payments." Clearly separate CBDC DCash (ECCB digital payment tool) from any crypto assets and online betting: DCash is not a "permission" for iGaming and must be used according to the rules of the payment system.
Economic arguments "for"
Income diversification: the online segment reduces dependence on the seasonality of offline and tourism, especially in the "shoulders" of the season.
White zone instead of offshore: partially "returns" traffic from unregulated offshore sites where the player has no local protection; profile sources indicate the unregulated status of the online market today.
Investments and jobs: local compliance/support offices, IT audit, marketing, partnerships with clubs/personalities.
Social and reputational issues
Public security: duplication of offline 18 + rules in online interfaces (banners, pop-up reality checks, default limits).
RG Foundation: GGR's fixed share for prevention and treatment of problem gambling (similar to the lottery's public mission).
Cultural compatibility: prohibition of aggressive advertising during family festivals and school sites; joint education campaigns.
Roadmap 2025-2028
Stage 1 - "Quick Wins" (2025)
Prepare online sports betting regulations as an extension of the SLNL mandate (Model A) with public Rules & Regulations and online FAQs.
Create a register of self-exclusion (single for lotto/online/hippodrome).
Stage 2 - "Online Window" (2026-2027)
Adopt by-laws for the GRB Act for online betting licenses (model B): requirements for servers/logs, KYC, RG tools; local ODR for disputes.
Launch pilots with 2-3 licensees, KPI: NPS users, level of complaints, compliance with limits and the share of responsible tools.
Stage 3 - "Full iGaming" (option, 2028 +)
When performing KPIs and public support - develop a full iGaming mode (model C) with RNG/platform certification and advertising regulations.
How not to "trip"
Do not confuse the payment with the license. Even with the development of DCash, it is not equal to the legalization of iGaming; first - the legal regime, then - payment integrations.
Keep high "18 + standard." Reflect 36/36A norms in interfaces and inspections; RSLTC and SLNL are already broadcasting 18 + - to make it a single standard for online.
Transparency. All rules are in the public domain (as done by Let's Bet Sports), quarterly reports on RG and compliance.
The legal foundation of Saint Lucia already provides strong 18 + protection and stable lottery/racetrack operation, but does not cover the commercial online segment outside these channels. The small-to-large strategy is to expand SLNL (online sports), then introduce online licenses under the GRB Act, and only then consider the full iGaming. Such a path keeps a balance between income, social responsibility and the island's reputation - and gradually returns players from offshore to a locally regulated, safe environment.
Reference sources: Gaming, Racing and Betting Act (including section 36/36A on minors); official Rules & Regulations/Let's Bet Sports product FAQs at SLNL; Royal Saint Lucia Turf Club rules and pages (including 18 +); industry reviews about the unresolved status of the online market; ECCB materials on DCash as CBDC (payment infrastructure, not iGaming license).