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Grenada, one of the Caribbean’s southern Windward Islands, has implemented a number of changes to gambling legislation. As the interest in both off-shore and online gambling continues to grow, the land has ensured it comes up with the right measures of accreditation to ensure that control and fairness reign supreme in the gambling sector.
In this article, we reveal the current state of affairs regarding the legal regulation of Gambian gambling, the licensing and taxation of companies in this industry, and news on changes to the legislation.
This article was written on September 22, 2024, and is based on information available on that date. Because regulations by nature are subject to change, one should consult with local experts for the most current information available pertaining to gambling laws in Grenada.
Is gambling legal in Grenada?
Yes, in the general understanding, gambling is legal in Grenada, including both its offline and online forms. Online casinos and other gambling games are regulated by the Grenada Gaming Control Board, which obliges operators to thoroughly follow the local legislation and obtain respective licensure. It concerns both land-based and online gambling services.
The development of Grenada’s gambling legislation
Evaluating the laws that govern gambling in Grenada has reached a serious development. Here is a brief timeline of some crucial changes:
1966: Gambling, Lotteries, and Betting Act: This was the first significant legislation that regulated the gambling activity.
2014: Casino Gaming Act: Legalised casino gambling and became the main legislation related to gambling.
2016: Gaming Act: Expanded the law to include permission for e-gaming, further updating this gaming industry.
2022: Casino Gaming Amendment Bill: Increased the fines levied against unlicensed activities and made allowance for revocation of license upon fraud or dishonesty.
Who regulates gambling in Grenada?
The major regulatory body when it relates to gambling in Grenada is the Gaming Commission. It’s responsible for licensing, supervision, and enforcing responsible gaming. The Gaming Commission should not be confused with the Casino Commission, which regulates casinos only. Other than the Gaming Commission, the collection of gaming taxes is vested in the Inland Revenue Department.
Gaming tax in Grenada
There are different taxes that are placed on the gambling activities, all of which are inflicted through the Gaming Tax Act 2016. It regulates bingo, gaming machines, betting, lotteries, and gambling as a whole.
- Tax Rate: For most kinds of gambling, the tax is regarded as being 30 percent of gross receipts or $250 per gaming machine, whichever is higher. However, different rates apply to lotteries and members’ clubs:
- Lotteries: By gross receipts, 25% for any businesses and 15% for any non-business organisations.
- Members’ Clubs: 15 percent of gross receipts for clubs that provide this gambling to their members.
Taxes are due on the tenth of each month, and if not paid by the due date, a penalty of an additional 20 percent of the due amount is added, plus interest at 1.5 percent per month.
Licenses and fees
No gambling outlet shall operate in the State of Grenada without permission from the Gaming Commission. Similarly, whether land-based or internet betting operations, all operators shall undergo a stringent licensing procedure with various fees accordingly.
- Application Fee: EC$50 (about USD$18.50)
- Commercial Gambling: Non-refundable fee of EC$100,000 (approx. USD$37,000) for large establishments
- E-Gaming: There are also specific licenses provided regarding electronic gaming.
Individual licenses are also needed for all employees working in any licensed gambling establishment.
Types of bets: allowed and banned
Grenada permits a number of betting types under certain specific regulations/mendon:
List of permitted bets:
- Casino games, poker, blackjack, roulette
- E gaming
- Sportsbetting
- Lotteries, both commercial and non-commercial.
List of banned bets:
- All such gambling activities that are unlicensed are banned.
- No one below the age of 18 years is allowed to gamble; thus, underage gambling is not permitted.
Recent amendments and updates
The Grenada gambling laws are pretty evolutionary, and the latest amendments aimed at further streamlining control over unlicensed activities and defining certain legal concepts more clearly. More specifically, the 2022 Casino Gaming Amendment Bill tightened up fines for operation without a license and included in its definition “beneficial owner” any person who directly or indirectly controls a gambling business.
Summary
Nonetheless, it can be mentioned that the existing legal conditions for the operation of gambling in Grenada are very strict, and this is exactly the kind of environment that is necessary to ensure protection and further reasonable development of the industry.
As the country emphasises heavily on licensing and taking adequate care on harm reduction, Grenada has struck the appropriate legal balance between economic interests and control and regulation. We also explained that as the market advances further, more advancement of the law can be expected in relation to new forms of gambling and technologies.
If you are interested in finding out more, read the full iGaming market research report here.
