Is online gambling legal in Bolivia?

Legal overview

Bolivia regulates gambling under Law No. 060 of 25 November 2010 on Lottery Games and Games of Chance. The law created the Autoridad de Fiscalización y Control Social del Juego (AJ) as regulator, along with two national taxes. Lotteries may be organised only by public bodies at national, departmental or municipal level. Games of chance and draws may be run by private companies established in Bolivia that hold an AJ licence, valid for up to ten years. Article 8 bans profit-making betting unless it is simply the way of taking part in a game of chance, and the AJ has stated that sports betting is prohibited. People under 18 may not enter gaming halls or casinos.

Article 9 of the law lets games use digital or technological means. However, Supreme Decree No. 781 of 2 February 2011, which implements the licensing rules, says permitted games of chance may only take place in closed halls or casinos approved by the municipality. No online casino licence has been issued, and no separate online regulation was found. AJ officials have said that online gambling is not prohibited as such, but they treat unlicensed websites as illegal. In 2023 the AJ worked with the state IT agency ADSIB to suspend 27 betting and online casino sites. Earlier proposals to amend Law 060 and create online licences have not been adopted.

Licensed operators pay a 30% Gaming Tax (IJ) on gross income. Players pay a 15% Participation Tax (IPJ) on the price of each ticket, chip or entry, which the operator adds to the invoice. Operators may not accept credit or debit cards, extend credit, or install bank ATMs in their venues.