🇼🇸For operators · Tax, marketing & compliance
Samoa for operators: no online regime
Two casinos and a national lottery are licensed in Samoa; online gambling is unregulated.
OverviewOverview built from public sources. An in-depth review of Samoa is available on request. Request it
Product by product
| Product | Status |
|---|---|
| Online betting · Online casino · Online poker | Unregulated |
| Lottery | Licensed |
Regulator and player protection in Samoa
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
Provisions for 'interactive gambling' exist under the Casino and Gambling Control Amendment Act 2015, but no licensing regulations have been implemented.
Online Gambling Regulation Remains Inactive
Despite legal provisions from 2015, the government has not implemented regulations to create a domestic licensing regime for online gambling.
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 Samoa
One licence type is listed for Samoa: Casino Licence.
| Licence | Regulator | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casino Licence | Samoa Gambling Control Authority | Five years |
Licensing model
Samoa's framework restricts land-based casino access to foreign passport holders to support tourism. While the law contains provisions for 'interactive gambling', no regulations have been implemented to create a domestic online licensing regime, and the sector remains unregulated.
Gambling tax and fees in Samoa
Detail
Licensed casinos pay substantial annual fees determined by individual agreements and are subject to the standard 27% corporate income tax. Specific GGR tax rates are not publicly disclosed.
Year-1 cost: fee schedule not yet published
Compliance costs in Samoa are centred on the land-based casino sector, as there is no licensing for online gambling. Costs are primarily driven by substantial annual fees set by individual agreement and corporate tax.
| Line item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Casino Licence Fee | no published fee schedule Source2 | Fees are determined by individual licensing agreements with the Gambling Control Authority and are not publicly listed. A 2016 audit report noted a fee of WST 250,000 for one operator. |
| Corporate Income Tax | 27% | Standard corporate tax rate applicable to net profits of licensed casino operators. |
| Online Gambling Licence Fee | Not applicable Source1 | Samoa does not offer licences for online gambling. |
| Application Fee (Casino) | no published fee schedule Source2 | Application fees are not publicly disclosed by the GCA. |
| Technical Certification | Not applicable | No specific technical standards or certification costs are published for the land-based sector. |
Year 1 estimate
Year 1 cannot be totalled: gov fee schedule not published
Primary costs for the two land-based casino licensees are the non-public annual licence fee and the 27% corporate income tax.
Which foreign licences Samoa accepts
All 8 foreign licences listed here are tolerated in Samoa.
ToleratedMalta (MGA) · Gibraltar (GRA) · Anjouan · Alderney (AGCC)
There is no mechanism to block MGA-licensed operators from accepting Samoan players.
United Kingdom (UKGC)
UKGC-licensed operators are accessible to Samoan players without restriction.
Isle of Man (GSC)
GSC-licensed operators are accessible in Samoa.
Curaçao
Operators licensed in Curaçao are accessible in Samoa.
Kahnawake (KGC)
KGC-licensed operators are accessible to Samoan players.
Bonus rules: welcome bonuses allowed
Inducement ads: Allowed
The regulatory framework for bonuses is sparse and primarily addresses non-commercial, land-based activities. The online iGaming sector is unregulated, so bonuses offered by offshore operators are not subject to any specific Samoan laws or advertising codes.
What the player can claim
- Welcome bonus
- Allowed
- VIP schemes
- Allowed
- Loyalty schemes
- Allowed
- Cashback
- Allowed
- The 'Bonus Game' must be based solely on the Samoa National Lotto's bonus number.
Allowances for welcome bonuses and retention tools are de facto, as they are offered by offshore operators in an unregulated online market. The only specific restriction found applies to a non-commercial lottery-based game.
What the operator can advertise
- Penalties
Fines and imprisonment can be applied for engaging in illegal land-based gambling.
License revocation is a potential penalty for illegal land-based gambling activities.
Enforcement actions apply to licensed land-based operations. There is no specific legal framework for penalizing offshore online operators for bonus or advertising violations.
Advertising: limited
In Samoa, the advertising landscape for gambling is heavily influenced by the country's regulatory status. Online casino, online sports betting, and online poker are illegal, leading to a general ban on their advertising across all channels. Conversely, lotteries are legal, and their advertising is permitted under strict licensing and compliance requirements.
| Channel | Status | Vertical & Platform Split (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Google Search Ads | Allowed | Google Ads policy mandates per-country certification and adherence to local laws. Online casino and sports betting keywords and advertisements are blocked in Samoa due to their illegality, while lottery advertising is permitted with proper certification, second-level domain ownership, and a proven compliance history, in line with Google's “Good Policy Health” update.789 |
| App Store Publishing | Restricted | Samoa is not included in Google Play's whitelist for real-money gambling apps as of February 2025 and March 2026. Apple App Review Guideline 5.3.4 requires licensing and geo-restrictions for real money gaming or lotteries, meaning online casino and sports betting apps are not publishable, but lottery apps are if licensed by the Samoa Gambling Control Authority and geo-restricted.10111213 |
| Google/Apple App Store Ads | Restricted | Promoted listings and Universal App Campaigns for real-money gambling applications are subject to the same country-specific restrictions as app publishing. Advertising for online casino and sports betting apps is prohibited in Samoa because these apps are not publishable, while ads for lottery apps are restricted, necessitating operator licenses and adherence to platform policies.11131415 |
| Meta (FB/IG) | Allowed | As of July 2025, Meta requires prior written permission, verified licenses, and detailed documentation for all gambling-related advertisements, strictly prohibiting ads from targeting individuals under 18. Meta will not grant authorization for online casino and sports betting in Samoa due to their illegality, but lottery advertising is authorized if the operator holds a valid license from the Samoa Gambling Control Authority and complies with Meta's stringent requirements.16171819 |
| TV & Radio | Restricted | The Samoa Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) was privatized in 2008, and TV1 Samoa and private radio stations now operate. The Samoa Gambling Control Authority's general prohibition on advertising unlicensed or unauthorized gambling activities bans online casino and sports betting advertisements, while lottery advertising, being legal, is restricted and subject to local broadcasting codes and regulator guidance, potentially including watershed times.102021 |
| Sponsorships | Restricted | Sponsorships by entities promoting online casino and sports betting are prohibited in Samoa due to their illegality, as the Samoa Gambling Control Authority explicitly prohibits advertising for unlicensed or unauthorized gambling activities. Lottery sponsorships, if the operator is licensed, are permitted under strict conditions and subject to regulator guidance.1021 |
| Digital OOH | Restricted | Specific 2025-2026 regulatory information for Digital OOH advertising in Samoa is not available. However, the overarching legal framework, which deems online casino and sports betting illegal, prohibits any advertising for these categories, while advertising for legal lotteries via OOH is restricted and subject to general advertising standards and operator license verification.1021 |
Channel rules for Samoa 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 Samoa enforces against unlicensed operators
Public information on recent enforcement actions by the Gambling Control Authority is limited. The regulator's focus appears to be on licensing and control of the two land-based casinos, with no evidence of active enforcement against players or operators in the unregulated online market.
- The GCA's stated mission is to control gambling growth and ensure operations are free from criminal influence.
- The Casino and Gambling Control Act 2010 provides the legal basis for regulation, but no recent enforcement cases have been publicly reported.
- As of May 2026, no legislative efforts have been made to block offshore sites or prosecute players.
Enforcement cases in Samoa: 4 recent
Material regulator actions, court rulings, and high-profile fines from 2016–2026 against operators serving Samoa. Each entry includes the technical failure and a one-line read-across for other operators in the market.
- April 2022
Samoa National Lotto (Gambling Control Authority)
OtherFine WST10,000The entity received two WST5,000 fines for breaching COVID-19 State of Emergency orders that prohibited all gaming activities.
Read-across: This shows strict enforcement of emergency public health orders, even against government-operated entities. It indicates that all operators must be prepared for immediate operational shutdowns during national emergencies.
- October 2021
Gambling Control Authority (GCA)
OtherCriminal proceedingsMultiple former GCA staff were prosecuted for defrauding the authority by altering the online betting system to process and sell tickets without the transactions being registered.
Read-across: Internal integrity failures within the regulator itself can create a perception of a higher-risk market and may lead to increased scrutiny on operator systems and processes.
- October 2019
White Sand Casino (Samoa National Provident Fund)
LicensingLate fee paymentAn audit revealed the casino failed to pay its WST250,000 license fee for the 2016 financial year on time, though the late payment penalty was ultimately not imposed.
Read-across: This shows potential inconsistencies in regulatory enforcement and credit risk, as a major licensee was able to delay payment without facing the statutory penalty.
- 2017
Exhibitions Tourism Group (ETG)
LicensingLicence revokedThe government withdrew a casino license after the company's chairman came under a corruption investigation in China.
Read-across: This precedent shows that the Samoan government is sensitive to the integrity and reputation of its licensees' parent companies and key officials, even for issues arising outside of Samoa.
Market size: 0.01B USD (2025)
Gross gaming revenue in Samoa is approximately 10 million USD annually. The most popular form of gambling is Casino. Online gambling represents 5% of total GGR. A culturally distinctive product in this market is Whitesands Casino and BlackSands Casino.
Market breakdown by vertical
- Land-based0.0025B USD25.0%
- Sports betting0.003B USD30.0%
- Casino0.0015B USD15.0%
- Lottery0.003B USD30.0%
Source: H2 Gambling Capital Global Tracker. Splits: online-casino 15.0%, sports 30.0%, land-based 25.0%, lottery 30.0%.
GGR figure22
Licensed operators: ~2
As of 18 Jun 2026, approximately 2 operators hold an active licence in Samoa. Size your entry against this base before committing capital.
Notable licensed operators
BlackSands Casino
Traps operators hit in Samoa
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.
Navigating the 'Foreigners-Only' Casino Rule
The law restricts casino entry to foreign passport holders. However, the prevalence of dual citizenship among locals creates a complex compliance environment. Operators must have stringent ID checks to adhere to the letter of the law while navigating this local nuance.
Assuming Online Gambling is Licensed
While the Casino and Gambling Control Amendment Act 2015 mentions 'interactive gambling', no licensing framework has been established. Operators must not mistake this legal provision for an active online licensing regime; all online operations remain unregulated.
Underestimating Regulatory Integrity Mandate
The GCA's core mission is to keep the sector free from criminal influence. Land-based operators should anticipate that the integrity of their key personnel and parent companies will be under scrutiny, in line with the regulator's foundational mandate.
Sources2
Timeline: rules in force
- 2025-2026
Regulatory Stability in Online Sector
No material regulatory changes were made. The online market remained unregulated and no new legislation was introduced to block or license offshore sites.
Source: 1
- February 2023
GCA Leadership Confirmed
Tuala Tamaalelagi Siaki Tuala was reappointed as CEO of the Gambling Control Authority for a three-year term, ensuring leadership continuity.
Source: 25
- 2015
Interactive Gambling Provisions Introduced
The Casino and Gambling Control Amendment Act 2015 added provisions for 'interactive gambling', but did not create an active licensing system.
Source: 1
- 2010
Casino and Gambling Control Act Enacted
The foundational legislation was passed, establishing the legal framework for land-based casinos and creating the Gambling Control Authority (GCA).
Source: 1
Operator myths vs reality in Samoa
Common assumptions about gambling licensing that turn out to be wrong in practice.
- MythSamoa offers online gambling licences.
- MythThe Samoan market is closed to offshore operators.
- MythCasino regulations are lax because it's a small market.
Markets that work like Samoa
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.
- Solomon IslandsAI overviewEswatiniAI overviewGambiaAI overview
Online casino, betting and poker unregulated; lottery licensed; licensed market; most ad channels restricted; foreign licences mostly tolerated.
- NauruAI overview
Online casino, betting and poker unregulated; lottery licensed; licensed market; foreign licences mostly tolerated.
- BoliviaAI overview
Online casino, betting and poker unregulated; lottery licensed; most ad channels restricted; foreign licences mostly tolerated.
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 Samoa
Documents cited on this page
- 1iGaming Today - Samoa Regulations
- 2Ministry for Public Enterprises - GCA Overview
- 3Offshore Company Corp - Samoa Tax Rate
- 4Samoa Ministry for Customs and Revenue
- 5iGaming Today
- 6GCA Bonus Game Rules
- 7PPC Land: Google expands offline gambling ad restrictions across 35 countries
- 8SBC Americas: Google Updates Ad Policy to Exclude Sweepstakes Casinos
- 9Search Engine Roundtable: Google Ads Prohibits Offline Gambling Ads In More Countries
- 10Legal Pilot: Is Gambling Legal in Samoa? Laws, Regulations & Casino Status
- 11CrustLab: Google Play Betting Apps: Gambling Apps Changes in Multiple Countries
- 12AIS Technolabs: Google Allows Gambling Apps in More Countries
- 13Fix Apple Gambling App Rejection (Guideline 5.3)
- 14AppStoreGuidelines/App Store Guidelines.txt - GitHub
- 15iConvert: Google Approves iGaming Apps in 15 More Countries
- 16Yogonet: Meta imposes stricter ad compliance rules for gambling operators and affiliates
- 17SBC Americas: Meta updates ad rules for real money and social gaming
- 18Covers.com: Meta Moves to Restrict Gambling Ads on Facebook and Instagram
- 19Bugsy Empire: How to Run Meta Ads for Gambling: 2025 Guide
- 20Wikipedia: Samoa Broadcasting Corporation
- 21iGamingToday.com: Gambling Regulations in Samoa
- 22H2 Gambling Capital Global Tracker
- 23Professor Slots - Samoa Gambling
- 24Legal Pilot - Samoa Country Profile
- 25Samoa Global News
- 26HighRollPoker - Samoa Guide
- 27Gaming Regulation - GCA Profile
Looking for the player guide?
For consumer-facing information about gambling in Samoa (tax on winnings, where to play legally, self-exclusion options), see the Samoa player guide.
Disclaimer. This page reflects the law as we understood it on 18 Jun 2026. Rules change: always check the current position with Samoa Gambling Control Authority. We are not a legal adviser.