Vanuatu is located in the western part of the South Pacific and is a Melanesian archipelago. Vanuatu’s gambling legal framework has a sound legal basis, so the country is relatively relaxed towards local and international gambling companies. This article aims to provide a more detailed overview of the sports betting industry in Vanuatu, the legislation surrounding the sports betting industry, Betting Sites in Vanuatu, licensing of the gambling industry, and gambling revenue in Vanuatu.
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History of Gambling Legislation in Vanuatu
Vanuatu has a long history of legislation in relation to gambling which proves the country’s attempts to make gambling a legal and regulated activity. It began with the process of legalization of various forms of gambling and has moved on to measures that address matters concerning betting on the internet and interactive gaming.
Key Milestones for Vanuatu Gambling Legislation
- 1989: Lotteries Act
- 1993: Casino Control Act
- 2000: Interactive Gaming Act
- 2003: Interactive Gaming: Legislation Changes (Sports betting and betting exchange included)
Regulatory Agencies
The regulation of gambling in Vanuatu is primarily overseen by two entities:Vanuatu’s laws on gambling are primarily administered by two bodies:
Vanuatu Gaming Control Board (VGCB): The Vanuatu Gaming and Cyber Café Authority abbreviated as VGCA is the body that has the responsibility of granting and controlling the gaming licenses in Vanuatu. The VGCB as a member of the International Association of Gaming regulators (IAGR) adheres to a code of conduct meant to make sure that its licensing is not tainted by corruption in any way.
Vanuatu Department of Customs and Inland Revenue (DCIR): This department regulates casino gaming and implements the provisions of the Casino Control Act. DCIR has the authority given to the Minister to grant, reject and regulate casino licences and offer tax exemptions in some conditions.
Gambling Law and Regulation in Vanuatu – 5 Things to Know
Licenses and Fees of Betting Sites in Vanuatu
In Vanuatu, there are several gambling licenses available to the operators with some differences in the rates and conditions. The licensing procedures are rigid to allow only competent individuals to own licenses.
Types of Gambling Licenses
Sportsbook Operators:
- Application Fee: USD 35,000
- Annual Fee: USD 30,000
- License Term: 10 years
Interactive Gaming (All Other Gaming):Interactive Gaming (All Other Gaming):
- Application Fee: USD 75,000
- Annual Fee: USD 50,000
- License Term: 10 years
Financial Aspects: Taxes and Fees
Once approved, gambling operators in Vanuatu are subject to specific taxes and financial obligations:Once approved, gambling operators in Vanuatu are subject to specific taxes and financial obligations:
- Interactive Gaming Tax: 2. 5% on gross monthly earnings
- Turnover Tax on Fixed-Odds Betting: 0.
- The following are the key findings of the study:1%
- Value Added Tax (VAT): Not imposed on interactive gaming revenue, whether onshore or offshore. This means that the value added tax charged on the business inputs by the licensees is recoverable.
- Corporate and Personal Income Taxes: As it has been mentioned above, there are no taxes on corporate or personal income in Vanuatu.
Prohibited and Permitted Bets of Betting Sites in Vanuatu
Vanuatu’s gambling laws give specific prohibited and allowed bets that should not be allowed and those that should be allowed in the gambling sector.
Prohibited Bets
- Wagering on events that are expected to occur in the future and have already been predicted.
- Gambling that targets the young people in any way possible.
Permitted Bets
- Sports betting: It covers both national and worldwide sports activities.
- Interactive gaming: It includes internet gambling, poker, and other virtual games.
Chronological List of Gambling Laws
- 1606: Vanuatu was first sighted by Spanish sailors.
- 1768: Coming of the French.
- 1774: These islands were discovered by the British Captain Cook and therefore were referred to as New Hebrides.
- 1906: Britain and France agreed on the condominium of territories.
- 1963: The indigenous people of the Americas were the first to form a political party.
- 1978: Implemented internal autonomy.
- 1980: Gained independence.
- 1989: Lotteries Act.
- 1993: Casino Control Act.
- 2005: An act to amend the Casino Control Act for the purpose of promoting casino investment.
- 1999: A sample of these policies includes the approval of online gaming.
- 2000: Interactive Gaming Act.
- 2003: Changes to Interactive Gaming Regulation.
- March 31, 2003: Interactive Gaming License issued for Sports Book First Limited.
Vanuatu Licensing Advantages
Vanuatu stands out as an appealing licensing jurisdiction for several reasons:
- Stringent yet Confidential Approval Process: I recommend strict measures to vet the applicants and their businesses and ensure that they are of clean records.
- Financial Incentives: It has tax incentives and no corporate or personal income taxes are levied in this state.
- Robust Regulatory Framework: Complies with the international conventions and ensures a safe workplace for the operators and players.
Conclusion
Vanuatu has favorable and relatively liberal legal requirements for the operations of betting sites, thus making it ideal for sports betting and online gambling. Vanuatu’s dedication to upholding a strict and efficient gambling jurisdiction alongside financial benefits make the country a reliable source of interactive gaming licenses. For those business people and companies who are willing to start a new venture in Vanuatu sports betting, it would be very important to have detailed knowledge of the legal and financial realities to sustain a business in the long run.