(H1): Basic Law: Ley del Juego (2010) in Bolivia

In 2010, Bolivia adopted the basic law on games - Ley del Juego (Ley Nº 060, 2010), which for the first time systematically streamlined lotteries and gambling, introduced unified supervision and mechanisms to combat the illegal market. The law is accompanied by by by-laws (including regulations) and is implemented through a specialized oversight body - Autoridad de Fiscalización y Control Social del Juego (AJ). Reform in the 2010s shifted focus from disparate municipal practices to centralized licensing, technical certification, and consumer protection.

1) Scope and key definitions

The law covers:

Juegos de azar - casino formats, slot machines, roulette, cards, other games with a cash bet and a random outcome.
Bingo - in independent halls and as part of entertainment events.
Loterías - public and private with permission, including charitable.
Promociones empresariales - promotional draws/lotteries for the promotion of goods/services (with separate requirements).
Rifas, tómbolas, sorteos - prizes played with an element of chance.

Not covered (usually): games without a cash bet and clearly non-commercial forms of leisure, if there are no signs of gambling or lottery (details are in by-laws).

2) Regulatory institutions

AJ (Autoridad de Fiscalización y Control Social del Juego) is the central regulator, carries out licensing, inspections, sanctions, maintains registers and publishes requirements.

Nat. and local authorities - interact on tax, police/prosecution (curbing illegals), consumer protection and advertising.

3) Licensing and permits

Permission categories (in general terms):

1. Casino/gaming hall operators - area licenses + agreed list of games and equipment.

2. Bingo operators - permanent halls and/or event events.

3. Lottery operators - indicating geography, circulation frequency, prize pool distribution scheme and control.

4. Promo games (promociones) - notification/permission procedure for the duration of the campaign with a description of mechanics and prizes.

Standard requirements for the applicant:

Constituent documents, absence of tax/court debt, origin of funds.
Technical dossier: description of games, providers, RNG/RTP certificates from recognized laboratories, jackpot/seed fund scheme.
Compliance plan: KYC/AML procedures, RG tools, advertising policy, complaints and dispute-resolution.
Infrastructure: address/area, video surveillance schemes, cash discipline, equipment event log.

💡 Terms and tariffs depend on the type of permit; extension requires confirmation of compliance and absence of violations.

4) Technical standards and certification

RNG/RTP - gambling software and machines are subject to certification; version changes are committed and reconciled.

Equipment - registration of serial numbers, sealing, service logs, access control.

Integration - if necessary, connection to AJ monitoring systems (online/offline reporting, uploads).

Safes/cash registers - regulation of collection procedures, double control, reporting.

5) Fiscal obligations

Fees and license fees - for issuing/renewing permits and for each piece of equipment (for slots - at established rates).

Tax regime - payment of relevant national/municipal taxes (profit, VAT/game tax, if provided), reporting and reconciliation.

Prize funds (lotteries/bingo) - minimum shares in favor of players and mandatory publication of results.

(Exact rates and percentages are set by regulations and may be updated; the operator must keep track of the current values.)

6) Advertising and sponsorship

Ban on advertising aimed at minors; restrictions on channels, time and approvals (no promises of "easy income").

Sponsorship of sports/events is allowed with 18 + labeling and RG messages; need contracts and compliance with codes.

Responsible messages - risk warnings, support/self-exclusion contacts.

7) Responsible Gambling (RG) and Player Protection

Age barrier - entry/participation only for 18 +.

Self-exclusion and limits - operators are required to maintain self-exclusion mechanisms, deposit/time/loss limits.

Transparency - clear rules of the game, probability of winning (where applicable), bonus conditions, terms and methods of payment.

Complaints and disputes - internal regulations, AJ contact; storing logs and videos to analyze incidents.

8) Online segment and digital channels

Online casinos/betting - allowed only within the order established by law and AJ regulations; independent activity without permission is prohibited.

Online promo draws - possible as part of marketing when meeting transparency, mechanics and AJ notification requirements.

Key conditions: geofilters, age verification (e-KYC), payment transparency (AML/KYT), data protection and reporting.

💡 In Bolivia, the approach to the online sector is traditionally cautious: the priority is to control and prevent unlicensed sites. Any digital activity with prizes/bets requires a legal basis.

9) Inspections and sanctions

AJ inspections - scheduled and unscheduled; licenses, cash register, video surveillance, software/equipment, reporting, advertising are checked.

Sanctions (graduated): warnings, fines, temporary suspension, revocation of permission.

Illegal halls/equipment - confiscation, sealing, subsequent destruction/disposal by decision.

Aggravating factors - repeated violations, involvement of minors, money laundering, fixation of interference with equipment.

10) AML/KYC and payments

KYC - identification of the customer at entry/payment; storage of copies and logs.

AML/KYT - transaction monitoring, threshold suspicious transaction reports, personnel training, compliance officer assignment.

Payments - transparent procedures, control of cash limits, tracing transfers.

11) Duties of operators (short checklist)

Before starting:

Legal entity and beneficiaries checked; filed a full application with AJ.
RNG/RTP confirmations, machine inventory, contracts with providers.
RG/AML/advertising policies approved, staff trained.
Video surveillance, ticket office, safes, logs, evacuation/security plans.

In operations:

Daily/monthly reports and uploads.
Regular services of the machine/table, sealing, software version control.
Age checks, self-exclusion log, processing complaints on time.
Audit of bonuses/shares, correct messages 18 + and RG.

12) Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Start promo without AJ's permission → always issue a notice/permission.

Unauthorized slot firmware → fix updates, store protocols and certificates.

Weak KYC practice → implement checklists and double check before payments.

Aggressive advertising without RG labeling → coordinate templates and media plan with an advertising lawyer.

13) Ley del Juego Mini FAQ (2010)

Do I need a license for a one-time charity tombola?

Yes, appropriate authorization/notification and compliance with the rules of transparency and reporting on prizes are required.

Is it possible to accept bets online without separate permission?

No, it isn't. Any activity in a digital channel with an element of randomness/wagering requires legal basis and control by AJ.

Who controls the slot machines?

AJ maintains registers, checks serial numbers, certification, reporting and software integrity.

What threatens for illegal activities?

Fines, confiscation of equipment, suspension/revocation of permits; if there is a composition - criminal legal consequences.

Conclusion

Ley del Juego (2010) created a unified, transparent and controlled system for lotteries and gambling in Bolivia. The central role of AJ and the combination of "licensing → technical standards → RG → fiscal discipline" ensured a move away from the "gray zone" and increased consumer protection. For operators, the formula for success is simple: impeccable compliance, certification, responsible advertising and strict AML/KYC. For the state, these are sustainable tax revenues and a managed sector where social interests remain a priority.