Operating in Tuvalu: ad limits and compliance
Tuvalu is an emerging offshore licensing hub and has offered a 0% tax, crypto-friendly license to international online gambling operators since 2025.
OverviewOverview built from public sources. An in-depth review of Tuvalu is available on request. Request it
Product by product
| Product | Status |
|---|---|
| Online betting · Online casino · Online poker · Lottery | Licensed |
Regulator and player protection in Tuvalu
Heads-up for operators
2 items
Projected Licensing Growth
Projections aim for 600-700 total licenses to be issued during 2026 as the jurisdiction gains traction.
Source: 1
No further reform is publicly contemplated following the establishment of the international licensing framework in 2023.
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 Tuvalu
One licence type is listed for Tuvalu: International Online Gaming Licence.
| Licence | Regulator | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Online Gaming Licence | Tuvalu Gaming Authority (TGA) | Not confirmed | A single, all-inclusive license covering all online gambling verticals (casino, sports, poker, crypto). Applications are handled by an exclusive commercial agent, Tuvalu Gaming Licensing Inc. |
Gambling tax: 0% of GGR
The Tuvalu offshore license has a 0% tax on Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) and a 0% corporate tax rate on gambling-related income, which makes it a fiscally attractive jurisdiction for international operators.
Year-1 cost: fee schedule not yet published
The Tuvalu offshore license is positioned as a low-cost, simple alternative to other jurisdictions. However, the official fee schedule is not published by the government regulator.
| Line item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| International Online Gaming Licence Application | no published fee schedule | Fees are set and processed by the exclusive commercial agent, Tuvalu Gaming Licensing Inc. No official government schedule is available. |
| Annual Licence Fee | no published fee schedule | Handled by the commercial agent. The regime's main incentive is a 0% GGR and corporate tax rate. |
| Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) Tax | 0% | A key feature of the Tuvalu license. |
| Corporate Income Tax | 0% | Applies to income from gambling activities. |
While GGR and corporate taxes are 0%, application and annual fees are set by a private commercial agent and are not publicly disclosed by the regulator.
Which foreign licences Tuvalu accepts
Tuvalu recognises none of these 7 foreign licences.
BlockedMalta (MGA) · United Kingdom (UKGC) · Gibraltar (GRA) · Isle of Man (GSC) · Curaçao · Kahnawake (KGC) · Anjouan (AGB)
Tuvalu is a competing offshore licensing jurisdiction and does not formally recognize or block other international licenses.
Bonus rules: welcome bonuses allowed
The regulatory framework for bonuses is in its early stages and is principles-based rather than rule-based. While a detailed advertising code has not been issued by the Tuvalu Gaming Authority (TGA), a set of core principles for licensees has been established.
- Welcome bonus
- Allowed
- VIP schemes
- Allowed
- Loyalty schemes
- Allowed
- Cashback
- Allowed
There are no specific prohibitions on the types of welcome bonuses or retention tools that can be offered to players.
- Messages ads may not give
- Exaggerating the odds of winning
- Downplaying the risks associated with gambling
- Mandatory disclaimer
Visible responsible gaming messages must be included in all promotional content.
- Penalties
The primary enforcement risk for non-compliance is suspension or revocation of the license.
Operators are required to implement Geo-IP blocking for restricted markets such as Australia, the USA, the UK, and several EU countries.
Advertising: limited
Tuvalu has a dual approach to gambling: domestic commercial gambling, including both casino and sportsbook activities, is banned, while the Tuvalu Gaming Authority licenses offshore operators to target international markets, where advertising rules are dictated by the target jurisdiction and platform policies, alongside TGA’s responsible gaming guidelines.
| Channel | Status | Vertical & Platform Split (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Google Search Ads | Licensed operators only | Commercial gambling advertising is not permitted within Tuvalu. For TGA-licensed operators targeting international markets, Google Ads requires country-specific certification, adherence to local regulations, and responsible gambling messaging, with an updated ‘Gambling and Games’ policy taking effect on April 14, 2025. The March 23, 2026 ‘Good Policy Health’ update emphasizes per-country certification, second-level domain ownership, and a proven compliance history. Online casino and sportsbook keywords are subject to these certification requirements and country-specific allowances.5678 |
| App Store Publishing | Restricted | Commercial gambling apps cannot be published to users within Tuvalu due to the domestic prohibition. For TGA-licensed operators, Google Play allows real-money gambling apps in specific whitelisted countries for categories like ‘Online Casino’ and ‘Sports Betting’, subject to licensing in target countries. Apple’s ‘App Review Guideline 5.3’ requires apps offering real-money gambling to have necessary licensing and geo-restrict where appropriate. Tuvalu is not listed among countries where Google Play permits gambling apps.5910 |
| Google/Apple App Store Ads | Restricted | Promoting gambling apps to users within Tuvalu is prohibited due to the domestic ban on commercial gambling advertising. For TGA-licensed operators, promoted listings and Universal App Campaigns are only permitted in countries where the respective app stores allow the publishing of real-money gambling apps and where the operator holds the necessary licenses for that jurisdiction.59 |
| Meta (FB/IG) | Allowed | Advertising commercial gambling on Meta platforms to users within Tuvalu is prohibited. For TGA-licensed operators targeting international markets, Meta requires prior written permission via its ‘Permissions and Verifications’ portal, proof of gaming licensing, and adherence to local laws. All gambling ads must not target anyone under 18. Meta’s policy applies to online sports betting, online casinos, poker, and lotteries.51112 |
| TV & Radio | Restricted | Commercial gambling advertising on TV and Radio is prohibited within Tuvalu due to the domestic ban. For TGA-licensed operators, advertising is governed by the regulations of the international target market, which may include watershed times and ‘whistle-to-whistle’ bans for sports. Rules vary for casino versus sportsbook advertising, and the Tuvalu Gaming Authority does not set these for international broadcasts.51314 |
| Sponsorships | Restricted | Commercial gambling sponsorships are not permitted within Tuvalu due to the domestic prohibition. For TGA-licensed operators, sponsorship rules are dictated by the regulations of the international target market, which can include restrictions on jersey, stadium, and naming-rights sponsorships. Some jurisdictions implement phase-outs or bans on certain types of gambling sponsorships.51314 |
| Digital OOH | Restricted | Digital Out-of-Home advertising for commercial gambling is prohibited within Tuvalu due to the domestic ban. For TGA-licensed operators, OOH advertising is subject to the specific regulations of the international target market, which may include restrictions on placement near schools, residential areas, or public transport, and requirements for programmatic platform verification.515 |
Channel rules for Tuvalu 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 Tuvalu enforces against unlicensed operators
As a newly established offshore licensing hub (2025), the Tuvalu Gaming Authority (TGA) has no public record of enforcement actions. The regime is designed to be low-touch, with operational aspects delegated to a commercial agent, which suggests a focus on licensing revenue over active compliance monitoring.
- Mid-2025: International licensing regime launched.
- 2023: Tuvalu Gaming Authority (TGA) established by law.
- No public register of licensees or enforcement decisions has been published.
Licensed operators: ~129
As of 2 Jun 2026, approximately 129 operators hold an active licence in Tuvalu. Size your entry against this base before committing capital.
Traps operators hit in Tuvalu
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.
Reliance on a Single Commercial Agent
All licensing, renewals, and communication are handled by a single private entity, Tuvalu Gaming Licensing Inc., not the state regulator. This creates a single point of failure and potential for commercial disputes without a clear state-level recourse.
Lack of Regulatory Transparency
The Tuvalu Gaming Authority (TGA) does not maintain a public website, a public register of licensees, or a published dispute resolution process. This opacity can be a significant risk for operators and players seeking to verify license status or resolve issues.
Undeveloped Local Infrastructure
While the license is crypto-friendly, Tuvalu's domestic banking and physical infrastructure is minimal. Operators requiring local substance, banking, or support services may face significant challenges as the economy is largely cash-based.
Timeline: rules in force
- Mid-2025
International Online Gaming Licence Launched
The TGA, via its commercial agent, began accepting applications for its new 0% tax, crypto-friendly offshore license.
Source: 2
- Late 2025
Initial Licensing Wave Completed
Industry reports indicated approximately 129 licenses were expected to be issued by the end of the year.
Source: 1
- 2023
Tuvalu Gaming Authority Act Passed
The government established the legal framework for a new international online gambling regime and created the Tuvalu Gaming Authority (TGA).
Source: 2
Operator myths vs reality in Tuvalu
Common assumptions about gambling licensing that turn out to be wrong in practice.
- MythOperators apply for a Tuvalu license directly with the government.
- MythThe Tuvalu license is just for crypto casinos.
- MythA Tuvalu license is a high-cost, high-regulation option.
Markets that work like Tuvalu
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.
- EstoniaCheckedBelarusAI overview
Online casino, betting, poker and lottery licensed; licensed market; GGR tax 0–10%; most ad channels restricted; foreign licences mostly blocked.
- VanuatuAI overviewAntigua and BarbudaAI overview
Online casino, betting, poker and lottery licensed; licensed market; GGR tax 0–10%; most ad channels restricted.
- PhilippinesIn review
Online casino, betting, poker and lottery licensed; licensed market; tax on GGR; most ad channels restricted; foreign licences mostly blocked.
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 Tuvalu
Documents cited on this page
- 1Gofaizen & Sherle
- 2Access Newswire
- 3PlexGaming
- 4GFSC Global
- 5Legal Pilot - Is Gambling Legal in Tuvalu?
- 6Google Ads Help - Gambling and games policy
- 7SBC EURASIA EN - Google announces updates to gambling advertising policy
- 8Yogonet - Google tightens gambling advertising rules, adds stricter compliance measures
- 9AIS Technolabs - Google Allows Gambling Apps in More Countries
- 10CrustLab - Google Play Betting Apps: Gambling Apps Changes in Multiple Countries
- 11SBC Americas - Meta updates ad rules for real money and social gaming
- 12Covers.com - Meta Moves to Restrict Gambling Ads on Facebook and Instagram
- 13Wiggin LLP - Gambling Act White Paper: Advertising, Sponsorship and Branding
- 14International comparison of gambling advertising regulation
- 15Wiggin LLP - Are you tracking where your gambling ads are appearing? Key learnings from the recent ASA report
- 16Novalnet Payment Countries
- 17Wise Payment Methods
- 18Gaming Gateway One Pager