Lottery activities are legal in Barbados and regulated under the Betting and Gaming Duties Act, Cap. 60, enacted in July 1977. This Act consolidates and amends laws concerning the imposition of duties and fees on betting and gaming activities, establishing a clear framework for the collection of duties across various gaming sectors including lotteries, casinos, and betting operations (1). The Act is supported by the Betting and Gaming Duties Regulations of 1979, which provide detailed guidelines on enforcement procedures, licensing, and penalties for non-compliance.
Approved national organizations must register with the Comptroller to legally conduct lotteries in Barbados, with registration fees of $100,000 for a whole-year certificate or $55,000 for a half-year certificate. The Betting and Gaming Committee, established under section 15 of the Act, performs regulatory functions including hearing and determining all applications for lottery licenses held for charitable objects (2). Organizations must pay duties ranging from 13 cents to 20 cents per dollar on ticket sales depending on ticket price and lottery type.
"The Betting and Gaming Duties Act, Cap. 60 enacted in July 1977, consolidates and amends laws concerning the imposition of duties and fees on betting and gaming activities in Barbados."
The Committee considers applications for lottery licenses and determines the suitability of premises for gaming activities while ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements. Duties on lottery tickets are collected either through stamps affixed to each ticket or by payment from the organizer at intervals approved by the Accountant-General (2). All moneys received under the Act are paid to the Accountant-General for the purposes of the Consolidated Fund, ensuring effective regulation and contributing to government revenue.
Source:
https://bra.gov.bb/About/Legislation-Regulations/Betting-Gaming-Duties-Act
https://bra.gov.bb/attachment?file=Attachments%2FBetting+and+Gaming+Duties+Act%2C+Cap.+60.pdf&name=Betting+and+Gaming+Duties+Act%2C+Cap.+60
Last updated: 16-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
