Lottery tickets are legal to purchase in Trinidad and Tobago under the National Lotteries Act of 1968, which established the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) as the sole authorized body to promote, organize, and conduct national lotteries. The NLCB operates as a statutory authority under the Ministry of Finance, maintaining an agent network of over 1,200 retailers and offering a portfolio of eight games including Lotto Plus, Play Whe, Pick 2, Pick 4, and Cash Pot (1).
The Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Act of 2021 modernized gambling regulations, establishing the Gambling Control Commission to oversee all gambling activities. In October 2025, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo announced major reforms including increased penalties for illegal lottery operations, with maximum fines raised to TTD 3 million and prison terms extended to seven years. The NLCB generates nearly TTD 3 billion in annual gross gaming revenue, though illegal lottery operations are estimated at TTD 9 billion annually (2).
"The Board may carryon the business of promoting, organising and conducting national lotteries and for such purpose the Board may have and exercise such functions, powers and duties as are conferred or imposed on it by this Act."
Players must be at least 18 years old to purchase lottery tickets, with prizes claimed within one year after the draw date. All lottery winnings are subject to taxation as of August 2018. The government introduced quarterly revenue transfers from NLCB to the Consolidated Fund, replacing annual payments to ensure more regular revenue collection and tighter financial oversight (1).
Source:
https://www.ttparliament.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2706.pdf
https://www.igamingtoday.com/trinidad-tobago-gambling-penalties-2025/
Last updated: 16-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
