🇸🇨For operators · Tax, marketing & compliance
Operating in the Seychelles: tax, ads and compliance
Seychelles licenses offshore online gambling, with major regulatory changes enacted in 2024 to improve oversight. The domestic market is small and capped.
OverviewOverview built from public sources. An in-depth review of Seychelles is available on request. Request it
Product by product
| Product | Status |
|---|---|
| Online betting · Online casino · Online poker · Lottery | Licensed |
Regulator and player protection in Seychelles
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
Which casinos & betting sites are licensed in Seychelles?
See the full official list of licensed operators and their authorised domains.
Licence Types in Seychelles
2 licence types are listed for Seychelles; each says who issues it and what it covers.
| Licence | Regulator | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Gaming Licence | Seychelles FSA | Annual | Offshore-facing online licence. |
| Casino Licence (land-based) | Seychelles FSA | Variable |
Licensing model
The Seychelles Gambling (Capping of Slot Machine and Casino Licenses) Regulations 2022 capped the number of available land-based casino and slot machine licences, which makes domestic licensing finite and controlled.
Gambling tax and fees in the Seychelles
Detail
Offshore operators with an Interactive Gaming Licence, typically structured as International Business Companies (IBCs), are generally exempt from gaming and corporate taxes on foreign-sourced income. Domestic operators pay a progressive business tax: 15% on the first SCR 1 million of taxable income and 25% on amounts above this.
A 0.5% Corporate Social Responsibility tax may also apply.
Year-1 cost: fee schedule not yet published
Costs for obtaining an offshore Interactive Gaming Licence are not publicly detailed by the FSA. The following are estimates based on known domestic business taxes and lottery fees.
| Line item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive Gaming Licence Application Fee | no published fee schedule | Fees are not published by the FSA and are typically handled via corporate service providers. |
| Interactive Gaming Licence Annual Fee | no published fee schedule | Described as 'significant' but no official schedule is available. |
| Domestic Business Tax (Land-based) | 15-25% of taxable income Source1 | Progressive rate: 15% on first SCR 1M, 25% above. |
| Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Tax | 0.5% of revenue Source1 | Applies to companies with turnover > SCR 1 million. |
| Lottery Licence Fee (Business-purpose) | SCR 1M (one-off) Source2 | This is a specific fee for a business-purpose lottery. |
Year 1 estimate
Year 1 cannot be totalled: gov fee schedule not published
The primary costs for the offshore Interactive Gaming Licence are not publicly detailed by the Financial Services Authority.
Which foreign licences the Seychelles accepts
All 8 foreign licences listed here are tolerated in the Seychelles.
ToleratedMalta (MGA) · United Kingdom (UKGC) · Gibraltar (GRA) · Isle of Man (GSC) · Curaçao · Kahnawake (KGC) · Anjouan (AGB) · Alderney (AGCC)
Foreign-licensed operators are accessible to Seychelles residents in a grey market, without specific local consumer protection.
Bonus rules: welcome bonuses allowed
Inducement ads: Allowed
The regulatory framework for bonuses and promotions is still developing, with a primary focus on AML and game integrity. Specific, granular restrictions on player bonuses and advertising are not as explicitly detailed as in more mature jurisdictions.
What the player can claim
- Welcome bonus
- Allowed
- VIP schemes
- Allowed
- Loyalty schemes
- Allowed
- Cashback
- Allowed
What the operator can advertise
- Channels off-limits
- Media primarily directed at individuals under 18
- Messages ads may not give
- Phrases that are not 'accurate, intelligible, and unambiguous'
- Penalties
Fines up to SCR500,000 and imprisonment.
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) can impose administrative penalties for non-compliance with the Gambling Act and its associated rules.
The lack of public enforcement actions against licensed operators for marketing infractions suggests either high compliance or a preference for non-public, corrective measures by the regulator.
How the Seychelles enforces against unlicensed operators
Seychelles' FSA is increasing its enforcement posture, particularly following the 2024 Interactive Gambling Rules. While supervision was historically light, recent actions and the introduction of a comprehensive rulebook signal a lower tolerance for non-compliance and a greater focus on AML and player protection.
- January 8, 2024: The comprehensive 'Seychelles Gambling (Interactive Gambling) Rules, 2024' took effect and introduced strict new requirements for KYC, player fund protection, and responsible gambling.
- November 2023: Government officials announced the new regulations and explicitly cited the need to address prior supervisory gaps and combat money laundering.
- January 21, 2024: A new board was appointed to the Financial Services Authority to oversee the implementation of the enhanced regulatory framework.
Enforcement cases in the Seychelles: 4 recent
Material regulator actions, court rulings, and high-profile fines from 2016–2026 against operators serving Seychelles. Each entry includes the technical failure and a one-line read-across for other operators in the market.
- March 2025
Alpha Consulting Ltd. and Alpha Fiduciary Services Ltd.
AMLLicence revokedThe entities were implicated in significant sanctions and money laundering investigations, including links to the Pandora Papers.
Read-across: This action shows the FSA's zero-tolerance approach to severe AML and sanctions failings and signals a high-risk environment for gambling operators who fail to maintain financial crime prevention measures.
- November 2023
1xbet
Grey-MarketPublic warning issuedThe FSA issued a public notice that 1xbet was not licensed to conduct interactive gambling services in or from within Seychelles.
Read-across: This public warning shows the regulator's focus on taking action against unlicensed operators, which indicates a move to protect the licensed market and a potential precursor to more stringent enforcement against grey-market activities.
- November 2023
Government of Seychelles
LicensingNew online gambling regulations introducedThe existing Gambling Act of 2014 lacked specific guidelines for the online gaming sector, so the government introduced a clearer framework to enhance control and combat money laundering.
Read-across: The new regulations impose stricter controls and clearer licensing conditions, and require all online operators to review and update their compliance frameworks to meet enhanced AML and operational standards.
- February 2022
Amazon Betting Limited
Grey-MarketPublic warning issuedThe FSA advised the public that Amazon Betting Limited was not licensed to conduct interactive gambling services in or from within Seychelles.
Read-across: This action is a clear notice to the market that the FSA is actively monitoring for and warning the public about unlicensed gambling operations, which reinforces the importance of obtaining and maintaining a valid license.
Market size: 0.02B USD (2025)
Gross gaming revenue in Seychelles is approximately 20 million USD annually. The most popular form of gambling is Online (offshore-facing). Online gambling represents 80% of total GGR. A culturally distinctive product in this market is Offshore-facing online gambling licences.
Market breakdown by vertical
- Land-based0.006B USD30.0%
- Sports betting0.007B USD35.0%
- Casino0.005B USD25.0%
- Lottery0.002B USD10.0%
Source: H2 Gambling Capital Global Tracker. Splits: online-casino 25.0%, sports 35.0%, land-based 30.0%, lottery 10.0%.
GGR figure9
Licensed operators: ~12
As of 16 Sep 2026, approximately 12 operators hold an active licence in Seychelles. Size your entry against this base before committing capital. Check them yourself on the official FSA register, which lists each licensee and its authorised domains.
Notable licensed operators
Coral Strand Casino
L'Archipel Casino
FSA-licensed offshore operators
Traps operators hit in the Seychelles
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.
Underestimating New 2024 Compliance Burden
The Seychelles Gambling (Interactive Gambling) Rules, 2024, are a major step-up in regulatory requirements. Operators licensed before 2024 must not assume old standards apply; the new rules mandate stringent KYC, player fund segregation, and responsible gambling tools that require significant operational and technical updates.
Assuming Tax-Free Status Applies Domestically
While offshore Interactive Gaming Licence holders structured as International Business Companies (IBCs) are generally exempt from gaming tax, this does not apply to domestic operations. Land-based operators face a progressive business tax of 15-25% on taxable income, plus a 0.5% Corporate Social Responsibility tax.
Ignoring Regulator's New Leadership Mandate
A new FSA board was appointed in January 2024 with a clear mandate to implement the stricter gambling framework. Operators should expect more proactive supervision and less tolerance for ambiguity than under the previous leadership.
Timeline: rules in force
- January 2024
Interactive Gambling Rules 2024 Take Effect
The detailed new rules for online licensees became law and mandate stricter standards for KYC, player protection, and technical systems.
Source: 12
- January 2024
New Financial Services Authority Board Appointed
A new board, led by Chairperson Patrick Payet and CEO Randolf Samson, was appointed to the FSA for a three-year term to oversee the new regulatory era.
Source: 10
- November 2023
Government Announces New Online Gambling Rules
The government confirmed its intention to introduce a comprehensive set of new rules for online gambling to address supervisory gaps and combat money laundering.
Source: 13
- 2014
Gambling Act 2014 Establishes Framework
The foundational Gambling Act was passed, creating the legal basis for licensing both land-based and interactive (online) gambling.
Source: 14
- 2013
Financial Services Authority (FSA) Established
The FSA was established as the regulator for non-bank financial services, including gambling, under the Financial Services Authority Act, 2013.
Source: 15
Operator myths vs reality in the Seychelles
Common assumptions about gambling licensing that turn out to be wrong in practice.
- MythA Seychelles licence is a 'light-touch' rubber stamp.
- MythA Seychelles licence allows you to target local players.
- MythAll gambling operations in Seychelles pay the same tax.Reality
There is a major distinction. Offshore operators with an Interactive Gaming Licence and structured as International Business Companies (IBCs) are generally exempt from gaming and corporate tax on foreign income. Domestic operators, however, are subject to a progressive business tax of 15-25% on taxable income.
Markets that work like Seychelles
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.
- LiberiaAI overviewGrenadaAI overviewSaint Kitts and NevisAI overview
Online casino, betting, poker and lottery licensed; licensed market; most ad channels allowed; foreign licences mostly tolerated.
- BahamasAI overview
Online casino, betting, poker and lottery licensed; licensed market; most ad channels allowed.
- DenmarkIn review
Online casino, betting and poker licensed; licensed market; most ad channels allowed.
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 Seychelles
Documents cited on this page
- 1Bank of Scotland Trade Portal
- 2Seychelles Nation
- 3Interactive Gambling Rules 2024
- 4Seychelles Gambling Act 2014
- 5FSA Disciplinary Actions
- 6FSA Warning on Unlicensed Activity
- 7Yogonet on New Regulations
- 8Office of the President, Seychelles
- 9H2 Gambling Capital Global Tracker
- 10State House, Seychelles
- 11Seychelles Nation
- 12Seychelles National Assembly
- 13Yogonet
- 14FSA Gambling Legislation Page
- 15Wikipedia
- 16Nobel Capital
- 17Lawstrust
- 18BBCIncorp
Looking for the player guide?
For consumer-facing information about gambling in Seychelles (tax on winnings, where to play legally, self-exclusion options), see the Seychelles player guide.
Disclaimer. This page reflects the law as we understood it on 16 Sep 2026. Rules change: always check the current position with Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA). We are not a legal adviser.