Online bingo is fully legal in El Salvador under the Law of the National Lottery of Charity (Ley de la Lotería Nacional de Beneficencia), which came into effect in December 2021 (1). The National Lottery (Lotería Nacional de Beneficencia or LNB) is the sole regulatory authority responsible for licensing and overseeing all online gambling activities, including online bingo, casino games, and sports betting (2). Online bingo operators can obtain licenses valid for up to ten years from the LNB through a straightforward application process that typically takes two to three months (1).
To operate online bingo in El Salvador, operators must comply with strict licensing requirements including minimum capitalization of $2,000 for LLCs or $10,000 for corporations, as well as submission of business plans, source of funds documentation, and compliance protocols for anti-money laundering, know-your-customer procedures, and responsible gaming (1). Licensed operators are subject to substantial taxation, with rates based on gross gaming revenue and corporate income tax of 30 percent, plus a monthly advance payment of 1.75 percent (2). All unlicensed or unregulated online bingo platforms are subject to immediate closure and legal penalties under the regulatory framework (1).
"If approved, traditional, instant and electronic lotteries would be permitted, in addition to sports betting, online gambling such as bingo, slot machines, card games and roulette, along with any other type of modality that may arise in the future."
Players in El Salvador can legally participate in online bingo through licensed platforms, and the market has experienced steady growth driven by a young population and high mobile penetration rates (2). The LNB has established the government-operated "Dale" platform to provide a state-sanctioned online gambling option that guarantees player protection and promotes responsible gaming standards (2). The regulatory framework continues to evolve with proposals for stricter anti-money laundering provisions and increased enforcement powers to combat illegal operations while supporting market development (1).
Source:
https://www.igamingtoday.com/el-salvador-igaming-market-research-report/
https://g3newswire.com/el-salvador-ministry-of-finance-submits-online-gambling-bill/
Last updated: 31-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
