Top Online Casinos for Guatemala
Guatemala, or the Republic of Guatemala, is a country located in Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north and west, Belize and the Caribbean to the northeast, Honduras to the east, El Salvador to the southeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the south.
Despite being categorized as illegal, land-based and online gambling both exist in the country. People visit semi-legal betting facilities and access foreign casinos that accept players from Guatemala.
There were multiple attempts to bring order to these sectors, but they mostly remained in the form of drafts and suggestions. Except for lottery, other forms of entertainment are unregulated, leaving consumers themselves to decide whether they should involve in any of these or not.
Regulations in Land-Based Industry
Believe it or not, Guatemala is one of the first countries in Central America to regulate games of chance. According to Section 477 of Decree Number 17-73 of the current Guatemala Penal Code, gambling is considered illegal since 1880.
Yet, many years later, in 1956, the Decreto Número 574 El Presidente De La República greenlighted gaming facilities to operate, provided that they possess a license issued by the Ministry of Interior. There were no other conditions whatsoever, so the system was rather weak and full of loopholes.
This particular body, the Ministry of Interior, is only in charge of granting licenses and collecting fees. It is not obliged to monitor its licensees and ensure no scandals involving money laundering and other criminal activities occur.
As there’s no official register or some sort of list with licensed establishments, it’s rather impossible to keep track of the development of gambling industry. What we know is that during the COVID19 pandemic, the number of tourists all over Central America decreased drastically, which indicates that the land-based sector had surely suffered some losses. But to which extent, it’s impossible to tell.
On the other hand, the only officially legalized form of gambling is the lottery. Even though it is state-owned, this sector is governed by a private company- Supreme Ventures Ltd. Land-based activities are legal since 2005, while the online sector has been running since 2008.
When it comes to sports betting, the situation is the same as with other forms (except for lottery, as explained)- it is not officially legal. However, the same institution, the Ministry of Interior, may issue licenses to interested operators. So, this activity functions as semi-legal.
Is It Legal to Gamble Online in Guatemala?
As hinted in the introductory part, there were multiple attempts to regulate online gambling in Guatemala. One of the crucial reasons for that is to prevent illegal actions such as money laundering and drug trafficking.
In 2013, the bill was presented indicating that all transactions which exceed $10,000 must be reported. Also, it was suggested that all individuals engaged in this activity should be subject to a monthly tax of 5% on gross income or net assets.
On top of that, the said bill would set up a licensing and regulatory agency, which would monitor and regulate this dynamic industry. Sadly, no efforts have been made since to pass the bill into the law and put the country among jurisdictions with a well-regulated entertainment sector.
Yet again, the fact that no precise laws exist is not an obstacle for punters to gamble online. Offshore providers accept consumers from this region, allowing them to place bets, and claim bonuses.
Player Protection and Responsible Gambling Measures
Taking a look at the FATF List of Countries with strategic AML deficiencies, you won’t find Guatemala there. However, US State Department classifies it as a Country/Jurisdiction of Primary Concern in respect of Money Laundering and Financial Crimes.
Knowing that so many issues exist, it’s hard to talk about any form of player protection. There are no measures in place, so it’s up to players to take care of themselves and act responsibly.
What we always like to recommend is to look for online casinos accepting Guatemala players approved by renowned regulators. Such institutions require their licensees to equip websites with tools that can limit deposit or loss amounts, implement reality check options or cool off. Some of them are required to offer self-exclusion possibility as well.
Also, it would be wise to look for venues which offer Spanish among languages. In the ideal scenario, they should also offer live chat, e-mail, or phone support with Spanish-speaking assistants. This way, any issue would be resolved in a much smoother way.
Unfortunately, there are no local bodies or institutions players can turn to or file a complaint if something goes wrong. That’s why it’s of vital importance to choose brands with a positive reputation among players, those who treat their consumers with respect.
Useful Tips for Players from Guatemala
When punters live in a region where no form of gaming is precisely regulated, such is the case with Guatemala, they need to be extra careful when selecting an online casino to deposit and play.
First of all, always pick licensed casinos. When a venue runs its business in accordance with some rules and standards issued by a regulator, it most certainly leaves less room for potential problems. A huge plus is if the parlor has additional certificates and approvals.
Then, take time to thoroughly read Terms and Conditions, with a particular accent on the list of countries permitted to register. If Guatemala is listed among the restricted countries, don’t push luck and deposit there, no matter how attractive the offer may seem. In case you win, you might not be able to withdraw your money.
Speaking of the offer, explore the lobby and see which studios and genres are featured. If demo mode is available to visitors, use it to have a couple of spins before registering and funding the account.
Also, see what’s the selection of bonuses and promotions like. Check the duration, game contribution percentage, and rollover requirements. Also, don’t forget to explore which banking options are displayed, and what are the min and max limits. Pay attention to the processing time and potential fees on transactions.
All in all, always do your due diligence and gamble responsibly!
Further Reading
Nearby Restrictions
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