The possibility of legalizing online gambling

The legalization of online gambling is a tool for the economic formalization of existing demand. In Guyana, it can complement the hotel casino model, expand the tax base, stimulate employment in IT/payments/support, and give players a secure environment. Moderate regulation, transparent rules and safety priority are key.

1) Government goals and expectations

Finance: Predictable fees and taxes on gross operator profit (GGR).

Consumer protection: age control, limits, self-exclusion, verifiable honesty of games.

Fight against the "gray" market: sewerage of traffic to the licensed segment, blocking illegal immigrants.

Reputation: alignment with tourism and MICE, no aggressive advertising.

2) Regulatory models (Guyana options)

A. B2C Licenses (Operators) + B2B (Content/Payment Providers)

Separate requirements for capital, technical systems, RG/AML.

Segmentation of responsibility: operator to the player, provider - for the quality of content/infrastructure.

B. "Hotel Online"

The right to online is given to 4-5 hotels/groups with a valid offline license: above the entry barrier, above compliance.

Plus: synergy with tourism, minus: limited competition.

C. Adjustable sandbox

Pilot 12-18 months for 3-5 RFP operators: social and tax effects test, clarification of rules before scaling.

3) Taxes and fees (box)

Application + license: one-time fee and annual small market fee.

GGR tax: range of 10-20% gross profit (revenue minus winnings).

VAT/corporate: according to general rules, taking into account local practice.

Responsible fund: 0.5-1% GGR for ludomania prevention and research.

Balance logic: the rate is too low - there is little budget; too high - pushes into the "gray" segment. The goal is to drain ≥70% of the market into a license in 2-3 years.

4) Responsible play (RG) and consumer protection

Age 18 +/21 + (choose a threshold and unify offline/online).

Player limits: deposits/losses/time, "reality checks," "time-outs," self-exclusion (6-24 months).

A single register of self-exclusion (at the regulator level) is mandatory for all operators.

Transparency: RTP tables, bonus and cashout rules understood by T & Cs.

Support: hotline/chat, links to help, case reporting.

5) AML/CFT и KYC

KYC by risk level: simplified entry for small limits, extended check at turnover/large payments.

Transaction monitoring: limits, alerts, reports on suspicious transactions.

Source of funds (SoF) and income (SoW) - by triggers.

Personnel training: annual certification.

6) Technical requirements and audit

RNG/game certification by independent laboratories.

Payment isolation of client funds (segregated accounts).

Fault tolerance: SLA by uptime, data backup, event log.

Reporting to the regulator: daily metrics of GGR, winnings, complaints, RG indicators.

7) Payments and settlements (local and cross-border)

Cards and bank transfers are the basis.

E-wallets/vouchers - for micropayments and quick withdrawals.

Cryptocurrency/stablecoins - only for licensed operators, with "chain-analytics" and white lists of wallets.

FX rules: transparent conversion, disclosure of fees before the deposit.

8) Advertising and Marketing

Banning "easy money" and targeting vulnerable groups.

Clear marking of 18 +/21 + and RG messages.

Time/channel restrictions (TV/radio/outdoor) and strict rules in social networks/influencer marketing.

Partnerships with sports - without intrusive coefficients, emphasis on infrastructure development.

9) Fighting illegal sites

Blocking domains/payments, cooperation with banks/providers.

Blacklists and public warnings.

Responsibility of affiliates: register of partners, prohibition of "gray" traffic schemes.

Sewage KPI: the share of legal traffic and a decrease in "gray" turnover according to processing reports.

10) Social policy and ESG

RG Foundation and education campaigns.

Local employment: support, risk analytics, IT support, marketing.

Data and privacy: storage and protection of personal data, transparent cookies/behavioral profiling policies.

11) Product matrix variants

Sports (cricket/football/basketball) - live, cashout, responsible limits.

Casino-online - slots/tables with limits, demo mode.

Live casino - under strict KYC and betting restrictions.

Lotteries/bingo - family format, high transparency.

Esports are separate rules and a ban on minors.

12) Roadmap (36 months)

Stage I - Preparation (0-6 months)

Regulation white paper, public consultation.

Draft law/regulations: B2C/B2B licenses, taxes, RG/AML, advertising.

Technical requirements (certification, reporting), design of a unified register of self-exclusion.

Stage II - Pilot (7-18 months)

RFP and selection of 3-5 operators (including "hotel-online").

Launch of regulatory portal and reporting; integration with banks/providers.

Game-not-income communication: RG education campaigns.

Stage III - Scaling (19-36 months)

License pool expansion subject to RG/AML KPIs.

Tightening measures against illegal immigrants (payment blocks, fines for affiliates).

Update of the tax rate based on the results of the pilot (fine-tuning).

13) Success KPI

Sewerage: the share of legal turnover is ≥70% over 3 years.

RG metrics: the share of active with limits of ≥60%, self-exclusion on request - 100% executability, incidents - to zero.

Finance: stable growth of GGR tax/licenses, predictability of quarterly reports.

Quality of service: withdrawal time ≤24 -48 hours, proportion of justified complaints <1 per 1,000 players/month

Enforcement: the number of blocked illegal domains/payment channels and a decrease in their share in traffic.

14) Risks and how to remove them

Social sensitivity → strict advertising, RG funds, bonus/vager control.

Personnel shortage → training of inspectors/compliance, joint programs with universities/hotels.

Tech risks → mandatory audits, data backup, independent penetration tests.

Fintech restrictions → hybrid payments (cash-in in PPP + online account), reliable e-wallets.

15) What it will give the country

Economy: new tax niche, employment growth, multiplier for IT/payments/content.

Consumer: safe, understandable playing conditions and quick payments.

Image: A modern, managed digital entertainment ecosystem integrated with a travel product.

Legalization of online gambling in Guyana is possible in a "small but high quality" format: a limited number of licenses, transparent taxes, centralized RG, strong AML/KYC, tech audits and a strict policy towards illegal immigrants. A pilot model for 12-18 months with clear KPIs will allow you to calibrate tax rates and rules without social upheaval and turn existing demand into a controlled and useful industry for the economy.