Kiribati is a state in the central part of the Pacific Ocean and includes 33 islands, of which only 21 are populated. Kiribati is one of the small Pacific island nations, which has its own legislation that regulates gambling businesses, both offline and online. The legal framework is important for anyone who wants to start a betting sites in Kiribati or learn more about Kiribati betting on sports. This article will help the reader understand the legal status of gambling in the country, licensing procedures, taxes, and legal forms of betting.
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Legal Framework and History
The legal provisions on gambling in Kiribati are anchored in the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1988. This act was formulated outside the United Kingdom gambling laws and has not undergone many changes since it was passed.
Key Historical Milestones:
- 1892: The Gilbert Islands and the Ellice Islands were some of the areas that became British protectorates.
- 1916: These islands were a part of the “British Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony”.
- 1975: The Ellice Islands were divided and renamed as Tuvalu.
- 1977: The following internal autonomy measures were put into practice.
- 1979: The independence from the United Kingdom was gained and the name of the country was changed to Kiribati.
- 1988: Passage of the Gaming and Lotteries Act.
Regulatory Agencies
At the moment, there is no government organization in Kiribati that oversees the conduct of gambling operations. It should be noted that no local institution provides licenses to interested operators, thereby leaving the two forms of gambling without a clear legal framework.
Gambling Law and Regulation in Kiribati – 5 Things to Know
Licenses and Fees of Betting Sites in Kiribati
As stipulated in the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1988, gambling is legal for societies that have been licensed as per the act but have to follow the provisions of the act. However, there is no licenses for online casino operations to date.
License Types
- Licensed Societies: These can conduct gambling activities provided they are in compliance with the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1988.
- Licensing Fees: As of now, there is no specific information in the public domain regarding the licensing fees for gambling operations in Kiribati.
Gambling Taxes
It is worth noting that specific information on gambling taxes is not outlined in the existing legal frameworks. However, any licensed gambling activity would be subjected to general business and income tax laws and regulations that exist in Kiribati.
Prohibited and Permitted Bets
Permitted Gambling Activities:
- Games of Chance: Also known as non-sporting risk taking activities which are events on which the results depend partly or fully on chance but not sports, games, lotteries, or prize competitions.
- Lotteries: Comprises of lotteries, give-aways, and other related scams.
- Prize Competitions: It is a contest where the winners are decided by both luck and the performance of the participants.
Prohibited Gambling Activities:
In fact there are no listed prohibitions but the coverage is limited to societies that are licensed under the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1988.
Interesting Restrictions:
- Prize Money Limit: The Act also puts a cap on the amount of money that can be offered as prize to $300.
Online Gambling
As for the present day, online gambling is still legalized in Kiribati. Currently there are no online casinos legally operating from the islands but due to the absence of clear laws regarding the matter; people are free to participate in online gambling through international sites. A lot of foreign based online casinos accept players from Kiribati.
Key Points:
- No Local Online Casinos: The current internet based establishments are not licensed by any local regulators.
- Offshore Platforms: There is no legal provision that can prevent the players from Kiribati to participate in the offshore betting sites.
Conclusion
Kiribati has legalised and regulates land-based gambling through the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1988 but does not have explicit laws against online gambling. This presents an opportunity that is rare for the international operators as well as players. There is no licensed online casino in Kiribati but players can freely participate in international betting sites.
It will be quite insightful to note how the future regulations of Kiribati will seek to cover the emerging online gambling industry and whether it will provide for the regulated and licensed online gambling operations in Kiribati.