Gambling Age In Bolivia

Minimum Age: 18

Details and Explanation

Legal Age Requirement

In Bolivia, the minimum legal age for participating in gambling activities is 18. This applies to lotteries and bingo, as per the Gambling Law, enforced to protect minors from gambling-related risks. Casino gambling is illegal.

Offline / Land-Based Gambling

Land-based casino gambling is illegal since the 1938 ban, but state-run lotteries and licensed bingo parlors (since 1996) are legal in La Paz and Santa Cruz, requiring ID checks to enforce the 18-year-old age limit. The market, valued at BOB 50 million annually, is minimal, offering no casino game catalogs, contrasting with your interests, and focusing on lotteries for social funding.

Online Gambling

Online gambling is illegal, with the Gambling Law prohibiting unauthorized remote gambling, including casinos, sports betting, and poker. Residents can access offshore sites, contributing to a $10 million unregulated market in 2024, but face risks without legal protections, aligning with unregulated markets you’ve explored. The government does not issue online licenses, limiting market growth.

Regulation and Oversight

The Ministry of Economy oversees lotteries and bingo under the Gambling Law of 1938, amended in 1996, with no dedicated gambling regulator. Bolivia’s anti-casino stance prioritizes social protection, lacking the licensing rigor you’ve inquired about. Limited oversight ensures lottery integrity, with 2024 tax reforms (5% on bingo) funding public services, reflecting a conservative gambling policy.

Enforcement and Penalties

Bolivia enforces its gambling ban moderately. Bingo operators face inspections, with violations like underage gambling leading to fines up to BOB 100,000 or closure. Illegal casino operations are prosecuted, and players engaging in unauthorized gambling face fines. Online enforcement is negligible, maintaining a small, lottery-focused gambling environment with no significant market expansion.