🇸🇧For operators · Tax, marketing & compliance
Solomon Islands for operators: no online regime
Solomon Islands regulates land-based casinos for tourists, but its online sector is an unregulated grey market.
OverviewOverview built from public sources. An in-depth review of Solomon Islands 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 Solomon Islands
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
No reform contemplated.
Consideration of Online Gambling Regulation
While no formal bill is pending, policymakers are reportedly considering reforms to address the unregulated online market, though progress is slow.
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 Solomon Islands
One licence type is listed for Solomon Islands: Commercial Gaming Permit.
| Licence | Regulator | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Gaming Permit | Gaming and Lotteries Board | Unspecified | Governs land-based casino and lottery operations under the Gaming and Lotteries Act. There is no equivalent licence for online gambling. |
Licensing model
The Gaming and Lotteries Act exclusively governs land-based operations. There is no legislation or licensing framework for online casinos, sports betting, or poker. This is a legal grey area: online gambling is not explicitly illegal for players but is entirely unregulated and unlicensed within the country. Online operators cannot be licensed in the Solomon Islands.
Gambling tax and fees in the Solomon Islands
Detail
Licensed land-based operators are required to pay tax on gaming income. While the specific rate is not public, the standard corporate tax rate for resident companies is 30%.
Year-1 cost: fee schedule not yet published
Costs relate only to the 'Commercial Gaming Permit' for land-based operations, as no online licensing regime exists. Fee schedules are not made public by the government.
| Line item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee (one-time) | no published fee schedule | The Gaming and Lotteries Board does not publish a fee schedule for its Commercial Gaming Permit. |
| Annual licence fee (Land-based Casino) | no published fee schedule | The annual fee is not publicly disclosed and is likely determined by the Board. |
| Operator Tax (GGR/Turnover) | no published fee schedule Source2 | Licensed operators must pay tax on gaming income, but the specific rate is not public. The standard corporate tax rate is 30%. |
Year 1 estimate
Year 1 cannot be totalled: gov fee schedule not published
The lack of a publicly available fee schedule from the Gaming and Lotteries Board makes a year-one estimate impossible.
Which foreign licences the Solomon Islands accepts
All 8 foreign licences listed here are tolerated in the Solomon Islands.
ToleratedMalta (MGA) · United Kingdom (UKGC) · Gibraltar (GRA) · Isle of Man (GSC) · Curaçao · Kahnawake (KGC) · Anjouan (AGB) · Alderney (AGCC)
No specific online gambling law exists, so offshore operators are not explicitly illegal or blocked.
Bonus rules: welcome bonuses allowed
Inducement ads: Allowed
The Solomon Islands currently has no specific regulatory framework for online gambling. Consequently, there are no laws, codes, or restrictions governing iGaming bonuses, promotions, or advertising. The existing Gaming and Lotteries Act does not address online operations.
What the player can claim
- Welcome bonus
- Allowed
- VIP schemes
- Allowed
- Loyalty schemes
- Allowed
- Cashback
- Allowed
All player bonuses and retention tools are permitted by default because online gambling regulations are absent.
What the operator can advertise
As the online sector is unregulated, there are no government-mandated advertising rules, prohibitions, or enforcement mechanisms.
Advertising: limited
The Solomon Islands maintains a “grey-market” status for online casino and sports betting, lacking specific legislation but not explicitly prohibiting these activities. This regulatory void means online casino and sportsbook operators cannot obtain the local licensing often required by major advertising platforms. Consequently, advertising for both online casino and sportsbook activities faces significant restrictions or outright bans on global platforms, while locally licensed lotteries may have more avenues.
| Channel | Status | Vertical & Platform Split (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Google Search Ads | Banned | As of March 23, 2026, Google Ads requires per-country certification and domain ownership for gambling advertisers. Online casino and sports betting in the Solomon Islands are grey-market and lack specific local online licensing, making Google certification unobtainable for these categories. This effectively bans their advertising, while locally licensed lotteries can pursue certification.567 |
| App Store Publishing | Banned | Apple's App Review Guideline 5.3 and Google Play policies mandate valid local licensing and geo-restrictions for real-money gambling apps. The grey-market status of online casino and sports betting in the Solomon Islands means operators cannot obtain the required local online gambling license for app store submission. Locally licensed lotteries and horse racing, however, can be published with appropriate compliance.8910 |
| Google/Apple App Store Ads | Banned | Promoted listings and Universal App Campaigns for gambling apps are subject to the same strict licensing and geo-restriction requirements as app store publishing. Without a recognized local online gambling license for online casino and sportsbook operations in the Solomon Islands, these categories cannot be advertised on Google or Apple App Stores.689 |
| Meta (FB/IG) | Restricted | Effective July 2025, Meta requires “Prior Written Permission” for all real-money gambling ads, demands proof of valid gaming licenses for targeted regions, and prohibits targeting under-18s. The Solomon Islands' grey-market status for online gambling means operators lack specific local licenses, which makes Meta’s authorization challenging for online casino and sportsbook advertising.111213 |
| TV & Radio | Restricted | The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) offers radio and online advertising under generally “light advertising regulation,” with no explicit local laws governing online gambling ads. While locally licensed lotteries are permitted, promoting grey-market online casino and sportsbook activities on TV and radio operates in a legal grey area, subject to general broadcasting standards.141516 |
| Sponsorships | Restricted | No specific legislation or public guidance exists in the Solomon Islands for online casino or sportsbook gambling sponsorships. Given the “grey-market” status and “light advertising regulation,” explicit bans are not documented, but any deals are subject to general advertising principles, while locally licensed lotteries are permitted to engage in sponsorships.1417 |
| Digital OOH | Restricted | Specific regulations for Digital Out-of-Home (OOH) gambling advertising are not explicitly available in the Solomon Islands. Online casino and sports betting operate in a grey market, meaning OOH advertising for these categories falls into a regulatory void, lacking explicit rules like school-zone buffers. Locally licensed lotteries, however, are permitted to advertise via OOH.1417 |
Channel rules for Solomon Islands 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 the Solomon Islands enforces against unlicensed operators
Enforcement is virtually non-existent. The regulatory focus is on the two land-based casinos, and there are no documented cases of the government blocking offshore sites, prosecuting online players, or fining unlicensed operators. The recent appointment of a new board in June 2024 may signal future changes, but the current climate is one of non-intervention.
- June 2024: A new Gaming and Lotteries Board was appointed, which indicates a governance refresh rather than a history of active enforcement.
- 2024: No ISP blocking or payment processing blocks against offshore gambling operators are in effect.
- 2024: There are no public records of fines or legal actions taken against foreign operators accepting players from the Solomon Islands.
Licensed operators: ~2
As of 18 Jun 2026, approximately 2 operators hold an active licence in Solomon Islands. Size your entry against this base before committing capital.
Notable licensed operators
Pacific Casino Hotel
1xBet
Betway
Dafabet
Traps operators hit in the Solomon Islands
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 land-based market
A critical legal restriction limits access to the country's two licensed casinos to foreign visitors only. Any business plan for a land-based operation must account for the fact that the local population is legally excluded from patronizing these venues.
Sources19
Assuming an online licence is available
There is no legal or regulatory framework for licensing online gambling in the Solomon Islands. The Gaming and Lotteries Act only covers land-based operations. Operators cannot apply for or obtain a local licence for online casino, sports betting, or poker.
Sources20
Overestimating market infrastructure
The potential online market is severely constrained by infrastructure challenges. Internet penetration is extremely low (around 12%), and the economy is largely cash-based. While a new digital payment system (SOLATS) launched in 2024, widespread adoption will take time.
Timeline: rules in force
- June 2024
New Gaming and Lotteries Board Appointed
The Minister for Home Affairs appointed a new four-person board for a two-year term, signaling a refresh in regulatory governance.
Source: 18
- April 2024
National Digital Payment System (SOLATS) Launched
The Central Bank launched a new real-time payment system, a critical piece of financial infrastructure that could support future growth in online commerce and services.
Source: 21
- 2004
Amendment Restricts Casino Access to Tourists
A key amendment to the Gaming and Lotteries Act was passed, restricting entry into the country's licensed casinos to foreign visitors only as a harm-minimisation measure.
Source: 19
- 1990
Gaming and Lotteries Act Enacted
The foundational legislation for gambling regulation was passed and established the Gaming and Lotteries Board and the framework for legal, land-based gambling.
Source: 22
Operator myths vs reality in the Solomon Islands
Common assumptions about gambling licensing that turn out to be wrong in practice.
- MythWe can apply for an online gambling licence from the Gaming and Lotteries Board.Reality
This is false. The Solomon Islands has no legal framework for online gambling licensing. The Gaming and Lotteries Act only provides for land-based 'Commercial Gaming Permits'. No online licences are issued.
Sources22
- MythThe government actively blocks offshore operators.Reality
There is no evidence of active enforcement against offshore operators. The government does not mandate ISP or payment blocking, and foreign sites that accept players from the Solomon Islands do so without interference.
Sources19
- MythThe local population is the target market for licensed casinos.Reality
This is legally incorrect. The two licensed casinos are, by law, only accessible to foreign visitors. This makes the viable land-based market entirely dependent on tourism, not the local economy.
Sources19
Markets that work like Solomon Islands
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.
- SamoaAI overviewEswatiniAI overviewGambiaAI overview
Online casino, betting and poker unregulated; lottery licensed; licensed market; most ad channels restricted; foreign licences mostly tolerated.
- NauruAI overviewLesothoAI overview
Online casino, betting and poker unregulated; lottery licensed; licensed market; 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 Solomon Islands
Documents cited on this page
- 1iGaming Today Market Research
- 2Solomon Islands Inland Revenue Division
- 3iGaming Today Regulations
- 4Casino City Solomon Islands
- 5Running Gambling Ads on Google in 2026 - YeezyPay Blog
- 6Google Ads Gambling Policy: What it Means for You (2026) - Blockchain-Ads
- 7Google announces updates to gambling advertising policy - Gambling Insider
- 8Fix Apple Gambling App Rejection (Guideline 5.3)
- 9As Gambling Apps Grow, Attention Turns to App Store Guidelines - The Nashua Telegraph
- 10App Review - Distribute - Apple Developer
- 11Meta updates ad rules for real money and social gaming - SBC Americas
- 12Meta moves to restrict gambling ads on Facebook and Instagram - CDC Gaming
- 13Meta imposes stricter ad compliance rules for gambling operators and affiliates - Yogonet
- 14Gambling Regulations in Solomon Islands - iGamingToday.com
- 15Online advertising - Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC)
- 16Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation expands its reach to its community - YouTube
- 17Discover Solomon Islands: Poker, Events, and Gambling Laws - Somuchpoker
- 18Solomon Islands Government Gazette
- 19iGaming Today
- 20The Law and Practice of Gambling in Solomon Islands
- 21IFC Press Room
- 22Lexadin Legal Resources
Looking for the player guide?
For consumer-facing information about gambling in Solomon Islands (tax on winnings, where to play legally, self-exclusion options), see the Solomon Islands player guide.
Disclaimer. This page reflects the law as we understood it on 18 Jun 2026. Rules change: always check the current position with Gaming and Lotteries Board. We are not a legal adviser.