Online bingo in The Bahamas operates under a unique regulatory framework established by the Gaming Act 2014, which modernized the country's gaming laws to regulate the growing domestic online gambling sector (1). The Gaming Board for The Bahamas, established in 1969 and transformed in 2014, serves as the supervisory body responsible for regulating all licensed gaming activities including online operations conducted through Gaming House Operators (1). The legislation allows Bahamian residents to participate in online gambling through licensed web shops, while traditional casino gambling remains restricted to tourists only (2).
The Gaming Act 2014 overhauled Bahamian gambling laws, broadening what constitutes gaming and implementing more stringent guidelines and regulations (2). The new law allowed mobile and proxy gaming, as well as instituted more restrictive controls on interactive gaming from licensed casinos (2). Changes in the regulatory framework came with the introduction of web shops, an online form of wagering favored by residents that initially operated without regulation but were licensed and regulated by the government in 2014 (2).
"Changes have also been made in the regulatory framework with the coming of web shops, an online form of wagering favoured by residents. Initially, web shops operated without any regulation, but in 2014, the government instituted new laws to license and regulate the operations."
Licensed operators must comply with strict regulatory requirements including obtaining proper licensing, paying annual fees of approximately $250,000, implementing responsible gambling measures, and maintaining financial transparency (1). The Gaming Act defines gambling games as activities played upon payment of consideration with the chance to receive a payout, determined by skill or chance (1). Online bingo falls under this regulatory framework as a form of domestic gaming available exclusively to Bahamian residents through licensed Gaming House Operators, while non-residents can only gamble at land-based casinos as the law prohibits foreigners from gambling in web shops (2).
Source:
http://laws.bahamas.gov.bs/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/2014/2014-0040/2014-0040.pdf
https://www.igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulation-in-the-bahamas/
Last updated: 30-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
