Are casinos and lotteries legal (El Salvador)

💡 Short answer: in El Salvador, lotteries and offline gambling formats (halls with video slots, bingo, gaming rooms/casinos) are allowed subject to licensing procedures, fiscal accounting and local safety and advertising requirements. Online games for private operators have not had a separate local license for a long time, which is why part of the demand goes to international sites. Always check the current conditions at the time of the visit/start of the project.

1) What is considered allowed offline (in general)

Lotteries. Allowed as organized draws with approved rules, transparent payment procedure and public announcement of results.

Bingo and halls with video slots/electronic tables. Possible with permits and site requirements.

Casino/gaming rooms at hotels and bars. Allowed as stationary offline objects with operating mode, security and age control.

General conditions for sites:

1. permit for location and type of activity (municipal level), 2. tax/fee registration, 3. compliance with evacuation/fire safety standards, video surveillance and perimeter, 4. visible 18 + plates and game/pay rules.

2) Age, documents and entry rules

Age minimum: usually 18 +.

Check: document at the entrance/at payments (identity card/passport).

Sobriety and order: employees have the right to refuse service in case of violation of the rules of conduct and safety.

3) Taxes and reporting (framework)

Operators pay licensing fees and conduct fiscal reporting (cash register, turnover/payment reports).

There are special requirements for circulations and prize pools for individual formats (e.g. lotteries/bingo).

Players when receiving large winnings may face deductions/declaration depending on the amount and status.

4) Advertising and public communications

18 + markings on all listings and media.

Prohibition of promises of "guaranteed income," "repayment of debts," other introducing wording.

Public T & Cs of shares, terms, limits and understandable rules of participation; easy unsubscribe from mailings.

5) Online segment: how to watch it

For private operators, online casinos/bets were outside a separate local license for a long time or were regulated to a limited extent.

This means that the legal and consumer regime online differs from offline: disputes and protection of rights often depend on the foreign jurisdiction of the chosen platform.

If an offline operator uses digital promos (loyalty accounts, QR coupons, etc.), they should not replace offline rules for age, advertising and payments.

💡 Practical advice to players: for online check the site license, KYC/AML procedures, payment methods and reputation; keep time/budget limits and enable 2FA.

6) What the guest of the legal site sees (checklist)

18 + signs, opening hours, responsible play help contacts.

In a prominent place - the rules of games/draws and the procedure for payments (terms, limits, documents).

Illuminated entrance, cameras, security, evacuation scheme.

Cashier/counter with checks and receipts, transparent return procedures.

7) What the operator should have (checklist)

1. Valid authorizations/registrations and payment confirmations for fees.

2. Cash discipline and accounting of GGR/payments; regular fiscal reports.

3. RG programs: time/visit limits, guest information, trained staff.

4. Advertising policy: 18 +, honest T&C, frequency restrictions, prohibition of children's images.

5. Security: CCTV, incident log, taxi/shuttle deal for the night.

8) Typical violations and sanctions (qualitative)

Work without a full package of permits → fines/suspension/confiscation of equipment.

Admission of minors → strict measures up to closure.

Opaque draws and payment delays → prescriptions/fines and reputational losses.

Ads without 18 + and with "promises of easy money" → campaign withdrawals/fines.

9) Responsible play is the norm for the legal sector

Time/budget limits, timeouts, self-exclusion, reality checks.

Bilingual (es/en) memos in tourist areas.

Partnership with local NGOs/help lines; training personnel in "red flags."

10) FAQ (short)

Are lotteries legal in El Salvador?

Yes, as organized draws with approved rules and reporting.

Casinos and gambling halls?

Allowed offline with permits, tax compliance, security and 18 + advertising.

And online casinos/betting?

For private operators, there was no separate local license for a long time; terms differ from offline and often depend on the platform's foreign jurisdiction.

How to check that the hall is "correct"?

Look for permits, rules and payments in a prominent place, 18 +, cash discipline, security, understandable KYC with large payments.

In El Salvador, lotteries, bingo and offline casinos are permissible under 18 + permits, fiscal discipline, security and advertising. Online for private operators has historically remained a separate topic with a different legal regime. It is important for players to choose visible "transparent" platforms and comply with the limits, and for operators to maintain RG standards, fair payments and correct advertising. Before visiting/starting the project, check the current local requirements - this saves time and reduces risks.