🇫🇯For operators · Tax, marketing & compliance
Fiji gambling laws for operators: illegal to offer
Only the state-monopoly lottery and limited horse-racing tote are legal in Fiji. Casinos and all forms of online gambling are illegal under the Gaming Act 2009.
OverviewOverview built from public sources. An in-depth review of Fiji is available on request. Request it
Product by product
| Product | Status |
|---|---|
| Online betting · Online casino · Online poker | Banned |
| Lottery | Licensed |
Regulator and player protection in Fiji
Mandatory RG controls
No limit imposed on players
Deposit limits or reality checks the law requires operators to offer
Advertising stance
Limited
Whether you can run TV / sponsorship / paid-social campaigns
Heads-up for operators
2 items · last change 8 Oct 2026
The Prime Minister stated on 28 December 2023 that no casino licence will be issued until clear policy guidelines follow comprehensive consultations. No such policy framework and no change to the Gaming Act is recorded.
Casino Policy Framework Development
The government is yet to develop the comprehensive policy framework required before any consideration of new casino licenses can begin.
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 Fiji
2 licence types are listed for Fiji; each says who issues it and what it covers.
| Licence | Regulator | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lottery Concession (The Lottery Corporation) | Ministry of Finance | Statutory | |
| Horse-racing Tote (Fiji Turf Club) | Ministry of Finance | Statutory |
Licensing model
Fiji's gambling framework is a state-monopoly model based on the Gaming Act of 2009. This pre-internet law does not provide a mechanism for licensing online gambling, which leaves a 'ghost statute' situation and a de facto prohibition on all locally operated online casinos, sports betting, and poker sites.
Gambling tax: 15% of GGR
Detail
A 15% Gambling Turnover Tax (GTT) is levied on the gross proceeds from lottery sales, payable by the lottery promoter.
Year-1 cost of operating in Fiji
Fiji's legal gambling market is a state monopoly, and there is no licensing process available for private operators. Here is the status of the two legal verticals.
| Line item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lottery Licence | State monopoly | Operated by The Lottery Corporation under concession from the state. |
| Horse-racing Tote Licence | State monopoly | Operated by the Fiji Turf Club. |
| Online Casino / Sports Betting Licence | Not available Source2 | The Gaming Act 2009 does not provide for the licensing of online gambling. |
| Operator Tax | 15% of turnover Source3 | A 15% Gambling Turnover Tax (GTT) is levied on the gross proceeds from lottery sales. |
| Application Fee | Not applicable | There is no open licensing process for private operators. |
Year 1 estimate
Not applicable; market closed to private operators.
The legal gambling market consists of state-controlled monopolies.
Which foreign licences Fiji accepts
All 8 foreign licences listed here are tolerated in Fiji.
ToleratedMalta (MGA) · United Kingdom (UKGC) · Gibraltar (GRA) · Isle of Man (GSC) · Curaçao · Kahnawake (KGC) · Anjouan (AGB) · Alderney (AGCC)
Fiji does not block offshore operators, but they are not licensed locally and offer no consumer protection.
Bonus rules: welcome bonuses banned
Bonuses bannedInducement ads: Banned
Due to the state-monopoly structure and the explicit prohibition on internet-based gambling, Fiji has not developed a regulatory code for online bonuses or promotions. The existing legal framework governs general advertising for state-licensed entities like lotteries, not the competitive inducements common in multi-operator online markets.
What the player can claim
- Welcome bonus
- Banned
- VIP schemes
- Banned
- Loyalty schemes
- Banned
- Cashback
- Banned
- All internet-based gambling is prohibited.
The state-licensed entities do not offer the types of player bonuses common in competitive iGaming markets.
What the operator can advertise
- Channels off-limits
- Internet
- Penalties
Players participating in unlicensed remote gaming are liable for a fine of up to 5,000 FJD and imprisonment for up to two years.
Unlicensed operators face significant fines and criminal liability under the Gaming Act 2009.
Enforcement focuses on prohibiting unlicensed activity altogether, rather than policing the marketing conduct of licensed online operators, as there are none.
Sources4
Advertising: limited
Fiji's gambling advertising is heavily shaped by its state-monopoly regulatory status, where online casino and online sports betting are illegal. Consequently, advertising for online casino and sportsbook activities is generally banned across all channels. In contrast, lottery is legal, and its advertising is permitted, albeit under specific regulatory conditions.
| Channel | Status | Vertical & Platform Split (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Google Search Ads | Allowed | Online casino and sportsbook keywords are blocked on Google Ads due to the illegality of these activities in Fiji. For permitted gambling categories like lotteries, advertisers must obtain Google Ads certification, demonstrate “good policy health,” and own a second-level domain, with new requirements effective March 23, 2026.56 |
| App Store Publishing | Restricted | Publishing apps for real-money online casino and sportsbook is prohibited in Fiji due to their illegal status. For lotteries, Apple's Guideline 5.3.4 mandates licensing, geo-restriction, and free app status, while Google Play's December 2025 update requires age-screens, parental-gates, and geofenced access for real-money gambling features.78 |
| Google/Apple App Store Ads | Restricted | Promoted listings and Universal App Campaigns for online casino and sportsbook apps are banned, as the underlying activities are illegal and the apps cannot be published in Fiji. Advertising for lottery apps may be permitted if the app is legally publishable and complies with platform-specific gambling advertising policies and local licensing requirements.57 |
| Meta (FB/IG) | Allowed | Meta requires prior written permission and evidence of valid regulator licenses for any online gambling advertising, which is not granted for illegal activities like online casino and sportsbook in Fiji. Ads must not target individuals under 18 years of age.910 |
| TV & Radio | Restricted | Advertising for online casino and sportsbook is banned due to the illegality of these activities. Lottery advertising is permitted under Fiji's Gaming Act of 2009, with requirements for transparency and public broadcast of draws for prizes exceeding FJD 100.1112 |
| Sponsorships | Restricted | Sponsorships for online casino and sportsbook brands are prohibited in Fiji due to the illegal nature of these gambling activities. Lottery sponsorships may be permitted, subject to obtaining necessary regulatory approvals and adhering to general advertising standards.1112 |
| Digital OOH | Restricted | Digital OOH advertising, including billboards and transit ads, for online casino and sportsbook is banned in Fiji. Lottery advertising in OOH formats may be permitted, provided it complies with general advertising regulations and any specific local authority approvals.1112 |
Channel rules for Fiji reflect each platform's published policy and the sources numbered in each row (listed under Methodology & sources). Verify with the local regulator and your ad-platform account manager before launching.
How Fiji enforces against unlicensed operators
Fiji's enforcement is focused on upholding the state monopoly and strict control over land-based development, particularly casinos. There is little to no enforcement against individual players accessing offshore websites.
- Late 2023: The government publicly reaffirmed its moratorium on new casino licenses, which shows strict control over market entry.
- Ongoing: The Gaming Act 2009 continues to be enforced, resulting in a de facto prohibition of all locally operated online gambling.
- Ongoing: There is no active IP blocking of offshore gambling websites, which indicates a low enforcement priority against individual players.
Enforcement cases in Fiji: 3 recent
Material regulator actions, court rulings, and high-profile fines from 2016–2026 against operators serving Fiji. Each entry includes the technical failure and a one-line read-across for other operators in the market.
- April 2022
Freesoul Real Estate Development
OtherFine $650,000The casino developer was found guilty of causing significant environmental damage, including to a coral reef and mangrove forest, during the construction of a resort project.
Read-across: This ruling shows the legal and financial risks for integrated resort developers beyond traditional gambling regulations, and environmental compliance matters in Fiji.
- February 2017
One Hundred Sands Limited
LicensingLicence revokedThe company failed to complete the casino project by the agreed-upon deadline and did not pay outstanding penalties.
Read-across: This precedent demonstrates the government's willingness to take firm action against operators who fail to meet their development commitments, which affects future large-scale gaming investment proposals.
- May 2014
One Hundred Sands Limited
B2BLawsuit filedAn investor, the Snoqualmie Tribe, sued the developer to recover a $1.5 million investment after the casino project was delayed and the funds were not repaid as per a promissory note.
Read-across: This litigation shows the commercial risks and potential for disputes between developers and investors in Fiji's gaming sector, particularly over project delays and financial agreements.
Market size: 0.04B USD (2025)
Gross gaming revenue in Fiji is approximately 40 million USD annually. The most popular form of gambling is Lottery. Online gambling represents 10% of total GGR. A culturally distinctive product in this market is The Lottery Corporation (Fiji Lottery / Tattslotto).
Market breakdown by vertical
- Land-based0B USD0.0%
- Sports betting0.016B USD40.0%
- Casino0.004B USD10.0%
- Lottery0.02B USD50.0%
Source: H2 Gambling Capital Global Tracker. Splits: online-casino 10.0%, sports 40.0%, land-based 0.0%, lottery 50.0%.
GGR figure13
Licensed operators: ~2
As of 8 Oct 2026, approximately 2 operators hold an active licence in Fiji. Size your entry against this base before committing capital.
Notable licensed operators
Fiji Turf Club
Traps operators hit in Fiji
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.
Assuming online licensing is possible
The Gaming Act of 2009 provides no legal framework for licensing online gambling operators. Any attempt to establish a local online casino, sportsbook, or poker room is illegal.
Underestimating the casino license moratorium
The Fijian government has a firm and frequently reiterated policy of not issuing any new casino licenses. This moratorium will remain until a comprehensive policy review and public consultations are completed, with no set timeline.
Sources1
Misinterpreting the Gambling Turnover Tax (GTT)
The primary tax on legal gambling (lotteries) is a 15% Gambling Turnover Tax (GTT), which is applied to gross proceeds (turnover), not Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR). This is a critical distinction for financial modeling.
Sources3
Timeline: rules in force
- December 2023
Government Reaffirms Casino License Moratorium
The Prime Minister's office confirmed that no new casino licenses would be issued until a comprehensive policy framework and public consultations are complete.
Source: 1
- 2009
Gaming Act of 2009 Enacted
The foundational law governing all gambling in Fiji was passed, which established the current restrictive framework and prohibited unlicensed gambling.
Source: 14
- Ongoing
Gambling Turnover Tax (GTT) Established
A 15% tax on the gross proceeds of lottery sales was implemented, collected by the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS).
Source: 3
- Ongoing
De Facto Online Gambling Prohibition
The 2009 Act's lack of provisions for online licensing creates a 'ghost statute' situation, which effectively bans all locally operated online gambling.
Source: 2
Operator myths vs reality in Fiji
Common assumptions about gambling licensing that turn out to be wrong in practice.
- MythFiji is an emerging market preparing to issue online gambling licenses.Reality
This is false. The current legal framework, the Gaming Act of 2009, has no provisions for online licensing, creating a de facto prohibition. There are no active plans to change this.
Sources2
- MythA casino license is obtainable with a strong investment proposal.Reality
This is incorrect. The Fijian government has a firm moratorium on issuing any new casino licenses. This policy will not change until a full policy review and public consultation process is completed, for which there is no public timeline.
Sources1
- MythThe 15% gambling tax is based on GGR (stakes minus winnings).Reality
This is a dangerous misconception. The 15% Gambling Turnover Tax (GTT) is levied on the operator's gross proceeds (total stakes or turnover), which is a much larger base than GGR and significantly impacts profitability.
Sources3
Markets that work like Fiji
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.
- AlbaniaReviewed
Online casino and poker banned; lottery licensed; GGR tax 10–20%; most ad channels restricted.
- TunisiaAI overview
Online casino and poker banned; lottery licensed; state monopoly; tax on GGR; most ad channels restricted.
- AlgeriaAI overview
Online casino, betting and poker banned; lottery licensed; state monopoly.
- EcuadorReviewed
Online casino and poker banned; GGR tax 10–20%; most ad channels restricted.
- IcelandChecked
Online casino and poker banned; lottery licensed; state monopoly; most ad channels restricted.
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 Fiji
Documents cited on this page
- 1fijivillage.com
- 2igamingtoday.com
- 3fijitimes.com.fj
- 4Gaming Act 2009
- 5AffPapa: Google Ads updates gambling and games policy
- 6Blockchain-Ads: Google Ads Gambling Policy: What it Means for You (2026)
- 7ShopApper: Fix Apple Gambling App Rejection Guideline 5.3
- 8Gummicube: How Casino Apps Stay Compliant
- 9Klein Moynihan Turco: Facebook Sets Restrictions on Online Gambling Ads
- 10SiGMA: Meta with new restrictions for gaming-related ads
- 11Legal Pilot: Is Gambling Legal in Fiji? Laws & Regulations Explained 2026
- 12iGamingToday.com: Gambling Regulation in Fiji
- 13H2 Gambling Capital Global Tracker
- 14legalpilot.com
Looking for the player guide?
For consumer-facing information about gambling in Fiji (tax on winnings, where to play legally, self-exclusion options), see the Fiji player guide.
Disclaimer. This page reflects the law as we understood it on 8 Oct 2026. Rules change: always check the current position with Ministry of Finance. We are not a legal adviser.