Gambling Age In Federated States of Micronesia

Minimum Age: No age specified

Details and Explanation

Legal Age Requirement: In the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), gambling is illegal, with no specified minimum legal age, as per the Code of the FSM, reflecting a ban to curb social harms and protect citizens from gambling-related risks.

Offline / Land-Based Gambling: Land-based gambling, including casinos and betting shops, is illegal under Title 11 of the FSM Code. Small-scale lotteries for charitable purposes are permitted in Yap and Pohnpei, with no explicit age requirement but restricted to adults. The lottery market, valued at $1 million annually, offers no casino game catalogs, contrasting with your interests, and focuses on community funding.

Online Gambling: Online gambling is illegal, with the FSM Code prohibiting all forms of remote gambling. Residents can access offshore sites, contributing to a $2 million unregulated market in 2024, but face risks without legal protections, aligning with unregulated markets you’ve explored. No online licenses are issued, limiting market growth.

Regulation and Oversight: The Department of Justice oversees charitable lotteries under the FSM Code, with no dedicated gambling regulator. FSM’s anti-gambling stance prioritizes social protection, lacking the licensing rigor you’ve inquired about. Minimal oversight ensures lottery integrity, with no significant regulatory updates in 2024, reflecting a restrictive policy.

Enforcement and Penalties: FSM enforces its gambling ban lightly. Illegal gambling operations face raids, with operators risking fines up to $5,000 or imprisonment. Players engaging in unauthorized gambling face fines. Online enforcement is negligible, maintaining a minimal gambling environment with no market expansion.