Gambling and online casinos in Samoa

Samoa is an independent island nation in Polynesia, where gambling is regulated quite strictly and conservatively.

Only selected forms of gambling are allowed here, primarily lotteries and charity raffles, as well as sports betting under government control.

Land-based casinos and online gambling are officially banned, but in recent years, residents of the country have increasingly used foreign sites and cryptocurrency platforms to play online.

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Historical context

Gambling in Samoa dates back to the colonial rule of New Zealand.

After independence in 1962, the government maintained a moderately restrictive approach to gambling, allowing only lotteries and charity events.

The first state lottery was organized in the 1980s, and by the 2000s there were legal bookmakers owned by local entrepreneurs and controlled by the state.

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Legislation and regulation

Main regulations:

• Gaming Control Act 1977 - basic law on the regulation of gambling;
• Lotteries Ordinance 1960 - rules for holding national and private lotteries;
• Betting Act 1990 - procedure for licensing bets and sweepstakes.

Regulator:

• Ministry of Revenue and Customs of Samoa - supervision of licenses and taxation;
• Samoa Gambling Control Authority (SGCA) is an advisory body established in 2015.

Main provisions:

• gambling is allowed only with a license;
• casinos and slot machines are prohibited;
• online gambling is banned;
• age limit - 18 years;
• gambling advertising is limited.

Samoan law follows the principle of "minimum tolerance," allowing only those forms of gambling that bring social benefits or tax benefits.

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Legal forms of gambling

In Samoa, the following are officially allowed:

• state lottery (Samoa National Lotto);
• sports and horse racing betting (including international events);
• charity bingo and raffles.

Examples:

• Samoa Sports Betting Agency - licensed bookmaker;
• National Lotto of Samoa is the official operator of the lottery, the profit from which goes to finance sports and education.

There are no licensed casinos in the country, and private gaming clubs are subject to legal closure.

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Online gambling

Online gambling is officially banned in Samoa, but locals actively play on international sites such as Betway, Stake, 22Bet and BC. Game.

Because the laws target operators rather than players, the use of foreign platforms is not punishable.

Popular destinations:

• sports and esports betting;
• online slots and live games;
• crypto casinos with minimal limits.

Payment systems:

• ANZ Samoa Online Banking, Western Union, Paysafe, а также Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether (USDT).

According to Pacific Gaming Review 2024, about 20,000 Samoans regularly use online casinos and betting sites, and the volume of the shadow online market is estimated at $10-15 million per year.

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Economic context

Gambling activity brings the country moderate but stable income due to licenses and taxes from lotteries.

Key indicators (2024):

• tax revenues - about $3 million per year;
• contribution to GDP - less than 0.3%;
• about 200 jobs in licensed structures;
• share of online gambling - up to 40% of shadow turnover.

Despite the limited sector, the government is considering the possibility of creating tourist entertainment areas with controlled casinos on the example of neighboring island states - Fiji and Vanuatu.

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Social and cultural context

Samoa is a state with a strong Christian tradition, where gambling is seen more as entertainment with moral constraints.

Society as a whole treats gambling with caution, but allows participation in lotteries and charity bets.

Regulators require operators to:

• informing about gaming addiction;
• prohibiting the participation of minors;
• transparent reporting and payment of taxes.

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Prospects

Samoa is gradually moving towards liberalizing gambling legislation, understanding the economic potential of tourism and online entertainment.

Possible directions until 2030:

• implementing limited licenses for resort casinos;
• development of national regulations for online gambling;
• collaboration with New Zealand and Fiji through the Pacific Responsible Gaming Initiative;
• integration of mobile and crypto payments into future eGaming services.

Forecast: With partial legalization, the Samoan gambling market could reach $50 million per year, mainly due to the online segment and tourism.

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Samoa is a country with a traditionally cautious approach to gambling, where only lotteries and sports betting are allowed, and online gambling exists unofficially through international platforms.