Lottery tickets were legal to purchase in Timor-Leste under Decree-Law No. 6/2009, which established a franchise regime for lottery operations through public tender processes. The right to operate games of fortune, including lotteries, was reserved to the State and could only be undertaken by companies awarded franchises through public administrative contracts. However, in October 2025, the government cancelled all online gambling and betting licences, creating uncertainty about the current status of lottery operations (1).
The Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry historically regulated lottery franchises, with oversight conducted by the General Inspectorate of Gaming. Companies required minimum share capital of $100,000 and permanent bank balances of $250,000 to apply for lottery franchises valid for four years. The government justified the recent cancellation of gambling licenses by citing identified risks to the country's security, social stability, economic integrity, and international reputation (2).
"The government justified its intervention by citing identified risks to the country's security, social stability, economic integrity and international reputation."
The cancellation followed warnings from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime about criminal syndicates operating in the country. While the 2025 resolution specifically targeted online gaming and sports betting licences, the broader implications for traditional lottery operations remain unclear. The government prohibited granting new licenses for gambling activities and directed responsible ministers to work with security forces to ensure compliance with restrictions throughout the country (2).
Source:
https://mj.gov.tl/jornal/lawsTL/RDTL-Law/RDTL-Minist-Orders/Ministerial%20Decree%202-2009%20.pdf
https://next.io/news/regulation/timor-leste-government-cancels-gambling-licences/
Last updated: 16-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
