Lottery gambling is currently illegal in the Cayman Islands under the Gambling Act (2016 Revision), which prohibits all forms of public lotteries and commercial gambling activities (1). However, more than 55% of voters supported establishing a national lottery in a non-binding referendum held on April 30, 2025, and the government is now assessing legal and operational requirements for implementing such a system (2).
The existing legislation imposes strict penalties for lottery-related activities, with fines of up to twenty thousand dollars or imprisonment for up to four years for conducting or participating in a lottery (1). Only charitable raffles organized by churches and community groups are permitted under license, while illegal forms such as "numbers" games remain prohibited despite widespread participation (2).
"In response to the referendum result, Leader of the Opposition Joseph 'Joey' Hew acknowledged the public vote but urged a methodical approach, stating the government have a lot of work to do."
While no formal legislation has been introduced to legalize a national lottery, the government is expected to consider the matter in coming legislative sessions without announcing a specific timeline (2). The opposition has recommended conducting business case assessments to determine feasibility, operational structure, and how proceeds would be allocated before moving forward with any lottery implementation (2).
Source:
https://cnslibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/Gambling-Amendment-Bill-2022.pdf
https://caymanindependent.com/public-backs-cayman-lottery-as-government-weighs-next-steps/
Last updated: 16-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
