Lottery tickets are legal to purchase in Vanuatu under the Lotteries Act Cap. 205, which regulates lotteries incidental to entertainment, societies lotteries, instant lotteries, pool betting schemes, and overseas lotteries. The Director of Customs and Inland Revenue issues licenses for lottery operations. All lottery promotion and conduct must comply with specific provisions of the Act, with unauthorized lottery activities subject to fines up to VT 5 million or imprisonment for terms not exceeding 10 years (1).
The Vanuatu Gaming Authority (VGA), operating under the Department of Customs and Inland Revenue, oversees all gambling activities including lotteries. Society lotteries may be promoted for charitable purposes, athletic sports support, or cultural activities with permission from the Director. Instant lotteries are defined as games where participants pay stake money for items that immediately reveal prize results. Pool betting schemes involve groups betting on outcomes where prize amounts depend on total stake money contributed (2).
"Subject to the other provisions of this Act, no person shall promote or conduct any lottery within or outside Vanuatu, except in accordance with the provisions of this Act or regulations made thereunder or under the authority of a licence issued under this Act."
Licenses for instant lotteries and pool betting schemes are valid for five-year terms renewable for additional five-year periods. Lottery tax is levied at a minimum of 10% of the subscription price, though exemptions apply where funds are remitted from other countries. All lottery proceeds after deducting expenses and prizes must be devoted to non-private gain purposes for society lotteries, with strict conditions governing ticket prices, expense allocations, and prize distributions (1).
Source:
https://customsinlandrevenue.gov.vu/images/TAA/205-Lotteries-Act.pdf
https://practiceguides.chambers.com/practice-guides/gaming-law-2024/vanuatu
Last updated: 16-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
