Honduras has the Caribbean Sea to its north and the Gulf of Fonseca in the Pacific Ocean to its south. It borders Nicaragua and El Salvador on the east and south as well as Guatemala on west. Honduras has a well organized but at the same time restricted gambling scene where sports betting and online betting sites in Honduras are the main activities. Through the knowledge of the existing laws, licensing conditions and tax obligations, Can easily go through the maze that is Honduran gambling.
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Regulatory Agencies and Gambling Legislation
The control of land-based gambling in Honduras is within the authority of the Honduran Institute of Tourism (Instituto Hondureño de Turismo – IHT). This institute issues licenses to the willing operators who want to provide entertainment products in brick-and-mortar places. Now, there is no separate body that supervises online gambling and the current law, CASINO LAW, GAMING OR CHANCE GAMES (Decree 488 of 1977), does not have any sections for the Internet sector.
Important laws and regulations
- 1977: CASINO AND GAMBLING ACT – The Act was put in place to control the gambling activities within Honduras. This decree is the only legal document that regulates this sector and it can be found on the IHT’s official website together with different laws, amendments, and reforms.
Gambling Law and Regulation in Honduras – 5 Things to Know
Licenses and Fees of Betting Sites in Honduras
Those who are interested in the gambling business in Honduras must contact IHT. The licensing and regulations are done by this institution only, and its website is in Spanish.
Licensing Types and Requirements
- Brick-and-Mortar Casinos: The IHT is the body that grants operators a license to open land-based casinos.
- Lottery Operations: Controlled by Loterías Electronicas de Honduras S. A. , with PANI as the regulator of lottery retailer licenses issuance.
Gambling Taxes
The tax structure for gambling establishments in Honduras is as follows:
- Tax Rate: 20% on gross income without the payouts.
- Annual Fees: Casinos, betting and gambling establishments are taxed at the rate of HNL 300,000 to HNL 700,000 or at a rate of 20% on gross incomes minus paid prizes whichever is higher.
Prohibited and Permitted Bets of Betting Sites in Honduras
Permitted Gambling Activities
- Land-Based Casinos: Having table games, slot machines and video poker as the main features.
- Poker: Controlled and can be played in the licensed betting facilities.
- Sports Betting: Legal and available at a large number of bookmakers’ stands and shops from 1977.
- Lottery: The different kinds such as the Super Premio, La Diaria and Pega 3 are all under the control of Loterías Electronicas de Honduras S. A.
Prohibited Gambling Activities
- Online Gambling: Now, it is not part of the legal system and therefore remains unregulated.
- Standalone Poker Clubs/Rooms: Not allowed outside qualified facilities.
- Other Products: Loot boxes, skin gambling, fantasy sports betting and social gambling are not controlled in Honduras.
Gambling law legislative timetable
- 1977: Implementation of CASINO LAW, GAMING OR CHANCE GAMES – Legalization of land-based gambling to attract tourists and make money.
- 1977: The legalization of sports betting within the bookmakers’ stands and shops.
- 2023: The present gambling law review shows that there are no regulations for online gambling.
The precise definitions of gambling options.
Honduras has a lot of choices for those who are into gambling, mostly in the capital Tegucigalpa. The land-based casinos have a lot of gaming options which include table games, slots and video poker. The regulatory environment is meant to maintain the honesty and fairness of these activities at the same time helping in promoting tourism and economic development.
Conclusion
To sum up, Honduras has a specific gambling environment which is characterized by the regulated land-based options and sports betting. The lack of online gambling regulations points to the possible areas where the industry can be developed in the future. Rich people trying to find betting sites in Honduras or getting involved in the sports betting of Honduras will see a well-established legal system for land-based operations and promising chances for development and creativity.
FAQ of Best Betting Sites in Honduras
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