Gambling Age In Vanuatu

Minimum Age: 18

Details and Explanation

Legal Age Requirement: In Vanuatu, the minimum legal age for participating in gambling activities is 18. This applies to casinos, lotteries, and online gambling, as per the Interactive Gaming Act 2000, enforced to protect minors from gambling-related risks.

Offline / Land-Based Gambling: Land-based gambling is legal, with casinos in Port Vila, offering slots, poker, and table games, aligning with your interest in extensive game catalogs. Lotteries and betting shops are available, requiring ID checks to enforce the 18-year-old age limit. The casino market, valued at VUV 500 million annually, supports tourism, with venues like Grand Hotel and Casino attracting visitors.

Online Gambling: Online gambling is legal and regulated under the Interactive Gaming Act 2000, with Vanuatu issuing licenses for offshore operators offering casinos, sports betting, and poker via mobile platforms, generating $10 million in licensing fees in 2024. Local residents are prohibited from using these platforms, but offshore sites are accessible, contributing to a $5 million unregulated market. Unlicensed operators face fines, supporting a niche licensing market.

Regulation and Oversight: The Vanuatu Financial Services Commission regulates online gambling, while the Ministry of Finance oversees land-based gambling, ensuring compliance with anti-money laundering measures under the Interactive Gaming Act 2000. Vanuatu’s online licensing framework, less rigorous than Kahnawake’s, supports a $20 million gambling economy, with 2024 reforms streamlining licensing processes.

Enforcement and Penalties: Vanuatu enforces regulations moderately. Operators face inspections, with violations like underage gambling leading to fines up to VUV 10 million or license revocation. Illegal gambling is prosecuted, and players engaging in underage or unlicensed gambling face fines. Online enforcement focuses on licensing compliance, maintaining a stable, tourism-driven gambling environment with modest growth.