Lottery tickets are legal in Puerto Rico under the Puerto Rico Lottery Act established by Act No. 465 of May 15, 1947. The Secretary of the Treasury determines the number of tickets of each drawing, the value of each ticket, the prizes of each drawing, and the number of drawings to be held in any one month (1). The amount to be distributed in prizes shall not be less than sixty percent of the total value to be paid by the public for the tickets corresponding to each drawing, with lottery tickets stamped with the price at which they are to be sold to the public.
The Bureau of the Lottery operates under the Department of the Treasury and manages all lottery operations throughout Puerto Rico (2). The Director of the Bureau of the Lottery appoints agents for the sale of tickets with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, and itinerant peddlers are appointed by the agents with the approval of the Director. No person may engage in the sale of lottery tickets without first having an agent or itinerant peddler's license duly issued, with both categories required to carry their licenses to accredit their character as authorized sellers.
"The amount to be distributed in prizes shall not be less than sixty percent (60%) of the total value to be paid by the public for the tickets corresponding to each drawing. Lottery tickets shall be stamped with the price at which they are to be sold to the public."
The establishment, maintenance, and exploitation of lotteries in Puerto Rico except in the manner provided by law is prohibited (1). Any person who invents, prepares, establishes or plays any illegal lottery in violation of the Act, or who sells, assigns, or otherwise supplies or transfers lottery tickets not authorized under the Act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Licenses for agents may be suspended or cancelled by the Secretary of the Treasury for engaging in unauthorized lottery sales, conviction of a felony, or violation of any provisions contained in the Puerto Rico Lottery Act.
Source:
https://law.justia.com/codes/puerto-rico/title-fifteen/subtitle-1/chapter-7/113/
https://loteriasdepuertorico.pr.gov
Last updated: 16-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
