Is online gambling legal in Vanuatu?

Vanuatu has no personal income tax, and gambling winnings are not taxable. There is no public-facing dispute body, so you must resolve issues directly with the operator.

Play only on sites licensed in Vanuatu; those have to follow its player-protection rules.

Online sports betting is legal on sites licensed in Vanuatu. Online casino is legal on sites licensed in Vanuatu. Online poker is legal on sites licensed in Vanuatu. The lottery is legal on sites licensed in Vanuatu.

Using a VPN to reach gambling sites from Vanuatu: Legal.

Gambling with crypto: Allowed.

You must be 18 to gamble online in Vanuatu, for online casino, sports betting and lottery alike.

Vanuatu has no personal income tax; gambling winnings are not taxable.

Always verify a casino holds a valid Vanuatu Department of Customs and Inland Revenue; administered by the Vanuatu Gaming Authority (VGA) licence before depositing.

Vanuatu Department of Customs and Inland Revenue; administered by the Vanuatu Gaming Authority (VGA)'s website

Prominent operators in Vanuatu

If a site isn't on the regulator's licensee register, ask the regulator before you play: an unlisted site is usually not licensed here (a register can lag behind a new licence). An unlicensed site is outside the regulator's supervision, so you cannot complain to the regulator about it.

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  Verify the regulator, not just the company registrar

  An operator may be registered as a company with the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC), but this is not a gambling licence. The licence is from the Department of Customs and Inland Revenue.

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  Be aware of the lack of a public licensee register

  Unlike many jurisdictions, Vanuatu does not appear to maintain a public, easily searchable database of its Interactive Gaming licensees. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for players to verify a licence independently.

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  Understand the offshore focus

  The Vanuatu licence is primarily for operators targeting international markets. Player protection standards and dispute resolution mechanisms may not be as robust as those in domestic-facing regulatory regimes.

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  Check the legal basis for land-based casinos

  Physical casinos in Vanuatu are regulated under a separate, older law, the Casino Control Act 1993. Their licences are distinct from the online regime.

What you can expect from a licensed site's offers in Vanuatu. The rules operators must follow are on the operator page.

We have no record of a national self-exclusion scheme or problem-gambling helpline in Vanuatu. The law does not require licensed sites to offer deposit limits. Reality checks (reminders of how long you have played) are not required.

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   1. Contact the operator directly

   Players must first attempt to resolve any disputes with the licensed operator through their official customer support channels. Licensees are required to have internal complaint procedures.

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   2. No further regulatory recourse

   Vanuatu's framework does not provide a public-facing alternative dispute resolution (ADR) service or a formal process for players to escalate complaints to the regulator. The operator's decision is typically final.

• Myth

  My gambling winnings in Vanuatu are taxed.
  Reality

  This is false. Vanuatu has no personal income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax. All gambling winnings are completely tax-free for players.

• Myth

  The Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) is the gambling regulator.
  Reality

  This is a common misconception. The VFSC handles company registration, but the gambling regulator is the Department of Customs and Inland Revenue. A private company, the Vanuatu Gaming Authority (VGA), manages the licence application process.

• Myth

  There is a government agency to help with disputes against online casinos.
  Reality

  Vanuatu does not have a public-facing dispute resolution body for players. You must resolve any issues directly with the operator according to their terms and conditions. Regulatory protection is minimal.