Online casinos in Bolivia

Bolivia is a culturally rich and emerging economy where gambling has a limited but stable place in entertainment. Despite strict state rules and a ban on some offshore operators, gambling in Bolivia is legal, and the market is gradually moving towards digitalization. In the coming years, the country may become one of the new players in the Latin American arena of online gambling.

Legislation and regulation

Gambling in Bolivia is regulated by the law Ley N ° 060 "Ley de Juegos de Lotería y de Azar," passed in 2010.

This law was a turning point, as for the first time it established complete state control over all forms of gambling and created a special regulator - Autoridad de Fiscalización del Juego (AJ).

The AJ (Autoridad de Juegos) organization is responsible for:

issue, renewal and revocation of licenses;
control of casino, bingo and lottery activities;
combating illegal operators;
protecting the rights of players and ensuring market transparency.

After the adoption of the law, most private casinos were temporarily closed for revision, but since 2012 the market has gradually stabilized.

Licensing

To operate in Bolivia, the operator must obtain a license from Autoridad de Juegos valid for 5 years.

Licenses are issued for:

casinos and gaming halls;
bingo and lotteries;
sweepstakes and sports betting (in limited form);
online platforms (experimental format from 2022).

The licensing process includes rigorous reviews of financial sources, software audits, and hardware certification.

Gambling taxes account for about 30% of gross revenue, including licensing tax and audit fees. Despite relatively high rates, the market remains attractive to large investors due to a stable political environment and government control.

Online gambling in Bolivia

Online gambling in the country is in the transition from the gray zone to official regulation.

Until recently, online casinos did not have legal status, but Ley 060 does not explicitly prohibit online gaming. This allowed a host of offshore operators to work with Bolivian players without sanctions.

In 2022, Autoridad de Juegos announced the preparation of the first regulatory framework for regulating online gambling, including licensing of national operators and taxation.

The first local online licenses are expected to be issued over the coming years.

At the moment, Bolivian players actively use foreign sites, such as:

Bet365, Betano, 1xBet, Betsson, Codere, Sportingbet - international betting platforms;
Stake, BC. Game, Bitcasino. io, Fairspin - crypto-casino with instant payments;
888casino, LeoVegas, Slots Palace are licensed casinos in the EU and Curaçao.

Land-based casinos and traditional forms of gambling

In Bolivia, dozens of land-based casinos and gaming halls operate legally, mainly in major cities - La Paz, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba and El Alto.

Largest brands:

Bingo Bahiti - a chain of casinos and bingo halls;
Star Casino Bolivia - a modern complex with slot machines and board games;
Casino Mundo - an entertainment center that combines a hotel and a gambling hall;
Super Bingo 777 is a popular chain of bingo halls.

Most licensed establishments operate in partnership with government agencies and are required to comply with strict safety standards.

Popular games and player interests

Bolivian players prefer classic and dynamic gambling entertainment formats. Most in demand:

video slots and slot machines;
roulette and blackjack;
poker and bingo;
betting on football and international tournaments;
lotteries and instant games held with state certification.

Mobile gambling is developing rapidly, especially in large cities, where access to 4G Internet and digital payments is growing.

Financial transactions and payment methods

The national currency is the boliviano (BOB).

The main payment methods in online and offline games:

bank transfers and Visa/MasterCard cards;
PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Pay4Fun e-wallets;
AstroPay prepaid cards;
cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Tether, Ethereum) are gaining popularity due to high inflation of the national currency.

The state does not prohibit the use of crypto assets, and they are gradually becoming part of the iGaming infrastructure.

Economic importance

Gambling brings stable tax revenues to the state.

According to Autoridad de Juegos, the annual income from the gambling business exceeds 200 million bolivianos (about 30 million USD).

These funds are directed to:

social programs and education;
cultural projects and sports;
control and development of the gaming infrastructure.

In addition, gambling creates jobs and promotes tourism, especially in La Paz and Santa Cruz.

Challenges and challenges

The main market difficulties:

lack of full regulation of online gambling;
competition with offshore sites;
high tax burden on operators;
limited access to modern payment instruments.

Nevertheless, the country's authorities are showing readiness for reforms. In 2024-2025, it is planned to adopt a new law on digital gambling, which will officially license online operators.

Development prospects

Bolivia is slowly evolving into the nascent iGaming market in South America. In the coming years, the following are expected:

launching the first wave of national online licenses;
creation of a register of players and a data protection system;
development of integration with crypto payments and fintech projects;
attracting foreign investment in IT and online entertainment.

The combination of government control, a stable economy and growing interest in digital gaming makes Bolivia a promising destination for operators and investors looking to gain a foothold in Latin America.