🇧🇿For operators · Tax, marketing & compliance
Belize for operators: no online regime
Belize's Gaming Control Board (GCB) licenses all gambling, but online licensees are restricted to serving non-residents only. This leaves local residents in a grey-area reliant on offshore platforms. Land-based casinos are taxed at 15% on gross earnings, while player winnings are tax-free.
OverviewOverview built from public sources. An in-depth review of Belize is available on request. Request it
Annual GGR20M USDOperator tax15%Active licensees5 land-based casinos(2021 notice); online licensing not currently publishedYear-1 entry cost~US$525,500 + variable tax
Product by product
| Product | Status |
|---|---|
| Online betting · Online casino · Online poker · Lottery | Licensed |
Regulator and player protection in Belize
Regulator
Gaming Control Board (GCB)
Application authority and enforcement body
Mandatory RG controls
No limit imposed on players
Deposit limits or reality checks the law requires operators to offer
Advertising stance
Most channels open
Whether you can run TV / sponsorship / paid-social campaigns
Heads-up for operators
3 items · last change 8 Oct 2026
The Gaming, Lotteries and Control Bill 2025, which would consolidate the gambling laws and replace the Gaming Control Board with a Gaming and Lotteries Commission, was held back for revision by the Senate on 11 November 2025. Whether it has since been enacted is not confirmed.
Gaming, Lotteries and Control Bill 2025 Introduced
A comprehensive bill was introduced to the Senate to consolidate all gambling laws and create a new unified Gaming and Lotteries Commission.
Source: 1
Establishment of Gaming and Lotteries Commission
The final passage of the 2025 Bill will dissolve the existing Gaming Control Board and create a new, unified regulatory body for all gambling in Belize.
Source: 1
Not yet in force: drafts, laws adopted without a start date, and sections of the law still to be commenced. An item moves to the timeline below on the day it takes effect.
Licence Types in Belize
4 licence types are listed for Belize; each says who issues it and what it covers.
| Licence | Regulator | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casino Licence (Class A: large) | GCB | Two years | Licence fee US$300,000. |
| Casino Licence (Class B: limited) | GCB | Two years | Licence fee US$50,000. |
| Online Gambling Licence | Gaming Control Board (GCB) | Annual | Annual renewal fee of US$10,000. Requires a US$500,000 security deposit. Licensees are prohibited from offering services to residents of Belize. |
| Slot-machine Licence | GCB | Annual |
Licensing model
Belize's online licensing model is 'offshore-only' by design. The Gaming Control Board (GCB) issues licenses to companies incorporated in Belize, but these licensees are explicitly prohibited by law from offering services to Belizean residents. This forces the local population to use unregulated foreign-licensed gambling sites.
Gambling tax: 15% of GGR
Detail
Land-based casinos are taxed at 15% of gross earnings. Online gaming operators are taxed at 0.75% of gross annual turnover, capped at $250,000 per year.
The annual online license renewal fee is US$10,000, with a required US$500,000 security deposit.
Year-1 cost of operating in Belize
Compliance costs for Belize's offshore-only online gaming license are defined by a high initial security deposit rather than high taxes. The following estimates are for an online gaming operator.
| Line item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application & Due Diligence Fees (Online, one-time) | ~US$15.5k Source2 | Includes non-refundable application fee and fees for due diligence checks on key individuals. Drawn from third-party industry sources rather than the regulator's own publications: verify the current figure directly with the licensing authority before relying on it. |
| Annual License Renewal Fee (Online) | US$10k Source3 | Payable annually to the Gaming Control Board to maintain the license. Drawn from third-party industry sources rather than the regulator's own publications: verify the current figure directly with the licensing authority before relying on it. |
| Security Deposit (Online, refundable) | US$500k Source2 | Must be held in trust by the Gaming Control Board for the duration of the license. Drawn from third-party industry sources rather than the regulator's own publications: verify the current figure directly with the licensing authority before relying on it. |
| Operator Tax (Online) | 0.75% of gross annual turnover Source3 | This tax is capped at a maximum of $250,000 per year. |
| Operator Tax (Land-Based Casino) | 15% of gross earnings Source4 | Applicable to all land-based casino and gaming establishments. |
| AML/CFT Compliance | Variable Source5 | Costs associated with implementing procedures to report transactions over $6,000 to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). |
Year 1 estimate
~US$525,500 + variable tax
Estimate for an online operator, dominated by the one-time security deposit and initial fees. Does not include corporate formation or operational costs.
Which foreign licences Belize accepts
All 8 foreign licences listed here are tolerated in Belize.
ToleratedMalta (MGA) · United Kingdom (UKGC) · Curaçao · Alderney (AGCC) · Kahnawake (KGC) · Anjouan · Isle of Man (GSC) · Gibraltar (GRA)
Belize does not block access to foreign-licensed sites. Players using MGA-licensed sites have no local legal recourse.
Bonus rules: welcome bonuses allowed
Inducement ads: Allowed
The Belizean regulatory framework does not provide specific guidance on bonuses or promotions for the offshore markets that licensees are permitted to serve. The legislation's primary focus is on the licensing of operators and the strict prohibition of offering services to residents of Belize.
What the player can claim
- Welcome bonus
- Allowed
Regulations do not specifically address player bonuses for offshore markets, as the primary legal focus is on preventing operators from serving Belizean residents.
What the operator can advertise
- Penalties
Violations of the Gaming Control Act can lead to heavy fines or imprisonment.
Violations of the Gaming Control Act can lead to license revocation.
The core principle of advertising regulation is the strict prohibition of marketing to Belizean residents. For land-based gaming machine licensees, advertising is strictly prohibited in any form.
How Belize enforces against unlicensed operators
Enforcement in Belize is low and primarily focused on protecting its offshore licensing reputation rather than active operator supervision or player protection. The government periodically issues warnings and cease-and-desist orders against fraudulent websites that falsely claim to hold a Belizean license.
- February 2022: The Gaming Control Board issued a public notice clarifying that only one company, Mum Casino Ltd., was licensed for online gaming and warned against illegal operators.
Sources9
Enforcement cases in Belize: 3 recent
Material regulator actions, court rulings, and high-profile fines from 2016–2026 against operators serving Belize. Each entry includes the technical failure and a one-line read-across for other operators in the market.
- June 2025
Government of Belize
LicensingMoratorium reaffirmedThe government publicly reaffirmed its moratorium on issuing any online gaming licenses and warned against websites falsely claiming to be licensed in the jurisdiction.
Read-across: This confirms a zero-tolerance policy. That policy makes market entry impossible and reinforces the risk for any international operators illegitimately claiming a Belizean license.
- May 2024
Government of Belize
Grey-MarketPublic warning and crackdownThe government announced a crackdown on illegal online gaming sites falsely claiming to hold a Belize license, stating a moratorium is in effect and no online gaming companies are licensed to operate.
Read-across: Operators are put on notice that any unauthorized use of a Belize license will be actively opposed. This increases the legal and reputational risk for grey-market activities.
- February 2022
Unnamed Illegal Operators
LicensingCease and desist orderThe government issued a notice that only one company, Mum Casino Ltd., was licensed, ordering all other entities claiming to have a Belize license to cease and desist.
Read-across: This established a clear precedent that the government is aware of and willing to publicly name and shame unauthorized operators. This creates a direct threat to grey-market operations.
Market size: 0.02B USD (2025)
Gross gaming revenue in Belize is approximately 20 million USD annually. The most popular form of gambling is Lottery & Land-Based (local); Online (offshore licensing). Online gambling represents 80% of total GGR. A culturally distinctive product in this market is Land-based casinos, national lottery, offshore online licensing.
Market breakdown by vertical
- Land-based0.003B USD15.0%
- Sports betting0.008B USD40.0%
- Casino0.008B USD40.0%
- Lottery0.001B USD5.0%
Source: Yogonet / Atlaslive LATAM Digest. Splits: online-casino 40.0%, sports 40.0%, land-based 15.0%, lottery 5.0%.
GGR figure10
Licensed operators: 5 land-based casinos (2021 notice); online licensing not currently published
As of 8 Oct 2026, 5 land-based casinos (2021 notice); online licensing not currently published are on the register in Belize. Size your entry against this base before committing capital.
Notable licensed operators
Princess San Pedro Casino
Las Vegas Casino Belize
Mum Casino Ltd.
Traps operators hit in Belize
Specific operational risks that have caught new entrants in this market. Each item is country-specific. Generic gambling-ops issues (KYC, RG tools) are not included unless they have a local twist.
Misunderstanding the 'Offshore-Only' License
A Belize online gaming license explicitly prohibits the holder from offering services to residents of Belize. Any operator intending to target the local market cannot do so with a local license and would be in breach of its terms.
Sources11
Navigating the Lack of a Public License Register
Belize does not maintain a public, searchable database of its licensees. This makes it difficult for partners and payment providers to conduct due diligence and creates an environment where fraudulent sites can falsely claim to be licensed. Verification relies on sporadic official notices from the government.
Sources9
Overcoming Reputational and Banking Hurdles
The jurisdiction has historically been associated with grey-market operations, and this has prompted the government to issue public warnings. This reputation can create challenges in establishing banking relationships and partnerships with entities that have low risk tolerance for offshore jurisdictions.
Sources9
Timeline: rules in force
- February 2022
GCB Clarifies Licensee Status
The Gaming Control Board issued a public notice stating that only one company, Mum Casino Ltd., held a valid online gaming license, warning against fraudulent operators.
Source: 12
- 2004
Gaming Control (Online Gaming) Regulations Passed
These regulations established the detailed framework for online gaming licensing, including the prohibition on serving Belizean residents.
Source: 13
- 1995
Computer Wagering Licensing Act Enacted
Belize became one of the first jurisdictions in the world to pass legislation specifically for regulating online gambling.
Source: 14
Operator myths vs reality in Belize
Common assumptions about gambling licensing that turn out to be wrong in practice.
- MythThe Financial Services Commission (FSC) issues online gambling licenses.
- MythA Belize license is an easy and reputable way to enter the market.
- MythBelize does not have any AML/CFT requirements for casinos.Reality
Belize has a Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) with specific requirements for casinos. They are designated as reporting entities and must report large cash transactions of $6,000 or more and all international electronic fund transfers of $6,000 or more.
Sources5
Markets that work like Belize
Compared on what our records hold for each country: whether online casino, betting, poker and lottery are licensed, state-run or banned, the licensing model, what the operator tax is levied on and its band, how most advertising channels are treated, and how foreign licences are treated. A point we hold for only one of the two countries counts for nothing.
- GrenadaAI overview
Online casino, betting, poker and lottery licensed; tax on GGR; most ad channels allowed; foreign licences mostly tolerated.
- BeninAI overview
Online casino, betting, poker and lottery licensed; GGR tax 10–20%; foreign licences mostly tolerated.
- PanamaCheckedPeruReviewedBelgiumChecked
Online casino, betting, poker and lottery licensed; GGR tax 10–20%.
Methodology & sources
This page is a Quick AI overview: a summary of public information, not yet checked against the law or the regulator. Treat it as a starting point. It has not yet been through our Deep AI Scan.
How we researchAsk us to run the Deep AI Scan for Belize
Documents cited on this page
- 1Tribuna - Belize to Establish Gambling Regulator
- 2Slotegrator - Belize License Costs
- 3iGamingX - Belize License Details
- 4Belize Trade and Investment - Tax Regime
- 5Financial Intelligence Unit of Belize
- 6GAMING CONTROL (ONLINEGAMING) REGULATIONS, 2004
- 7GAMING CONTROL ACT
- 8Govt. notice on illegal online gaming
- 9Gaming Control Board Notice - Illegal Online Gaming
- 10Yogonet / Atlaslive LATAM Digest
- 11Slotegrator - Obtaining a Gaming License in Belize
- 12Government of Belize Press Office
- 13Slotegrator - Belize License
- 14iGaming Today - Regulation in Belize
- 15Belize Financial Services Commission
Looking for the player guide?
For consumer-facing information about gambling in Belize (tax on winnings, where to play legally, self-exclusion options), see the Belize player guide.
Disclaimer. This page reflects the law as we understood it on 8 Oct 2026. Rules change: always check the current position with Gaming Control Board (GCB). We are not a legal adviser.