The legality of offline sports betting - Ecuador

Brief conclusion

In Ecuador, offline betting (betting points, "betting counters") has been banned since 2011: all terrestrial gambling establishments - including casas de apuesta - were required to stop working following a nationwide consultation (referendum) and subsequent decree. The exceptions concerned only a short transition period for the closure of individual facilities, after which the offline industry ceased operations.

1) How it is enshrined in law

In 2011, according to the results of Consulta Popular, Ecuadorians voted to ban gambling-related businesses (casinos and gambling halls). Based on this decision, Decreto Ejecutivo 873 (Register Oficial Suplemento 536, 16. 09. 2011), which ordered all gambling establishments, including "casas de apuesta" (betting points), to cease operations.

The text of Art. 1 directly lists the institutions to be closed: "casinos, casas de apuesta, salas de juegos...." For a small number of objects in high-category hotels, up to 6 months were given to complete operations ("transit" mode), but this did not lift the ban as such.

2) What this means in practice for offline

It is impossible to open and maintain land bookmakers in Ecuador. This falls under the ban on gambling establishments established in 2011.

Media and industry reviews confirm: since 2011, the terrestrial sector has been closed, which is noted by both business publications and iGaming analytics.

3) Where are the border zones and what is NOT offline

State objects of lotteries. Historically, the National Lottery (Junta de Beneficencia de Guayaquil) operates in the country, this is a separate segment with a social mission and its own legal framework - not bookmakers.

The online sector is developing separately from offline: in 2024-2025, the authorities focused on tax and advertising policies for online operators (for example, registering operators under a new tax and lifting the ban on advertising), but this does not legalize terrestrial "casas de apuesta."

An example of the public sector online is Bet593 (National Lottery) - again we are talking about the Internet platform, and not about ground points.

4) Why the topic of offline still pops up in the news

LeaguePro football clubs are massively sponsored by betting brands, which creates a feeling of "legality of the entire market." But we are talking about advertising/sponsorship and/or online products, and not about allowing offline points within the country.

Initiatives and issues of easing the rules are periodically discussed, but the basic offline ban (2011) remains the starting point, and attempts at referendums and reforms concern primarily online and the fiscal regime.

5) Best Practices for Content and Business

1. Not to be confused offline and online. Offline betting stations are prohibited; any publications or offers involving ground activities must take into account legal risk.

2. Reference the original source. With legal reservations, give a quote or details of Decreto Ejecutivo 873 and wording about "casas de apuesta." This reduces the controversy of interpretations.

3. A separate block about lotteries and online. Breed lottery products and online services (including gos-platforms) in separate sections, emphasizing that these are not ground rates.

4. Follow regulatory updates. News reasons 2024-2025 - about taxes and online advertising, not about the legalization of offline points.

Since 2011, Ecuador has a ban on offline gambling infrastructure, which directly includes betting points (casas de apuesta). This made offline sports betting illegal.

The development of online rates (taxes, advertising, state platform Bet593) does not change the legal status of ground cash desks. Any offline activity should be considered contrary to current regulations until a new norm appears that replaces or cancels the 2011 regime.