Looking for the Best Antiguan and Barbudan casino site? Or wondering how to navigate one of the largest gambling jurisdictions worldwide? Look no more.
Among other info, on this page, you'll find:
And much more... Without further ado, let's check the top online casino Antigua and Barbuda brands.
The daily updated results above came out of our many-faceted review process.
Yes, gambling has been LEGAL in Antigua and Barbuda since 1994.
Relevant legislation: |
Yes, online gambling is LEGAL in Antigua and Barbuda.
Relevant legislation: 2007 Interactive Gaming and Interactive Wagering Regulations |
Though legal, very few companies have licenses. The reason is the collapse of the gambling market after the conflict with the U.S.
Any casino holding a license from the Directorate of Offshore Gambling.
To accept players, both land-based and online casinos must obtain interactive gambling licenses.
The laws apply to lawful residents and citizens. Tourists and other temporary residents can play at Antigua and Barbuda casinos.
The Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC) oversees the offshore gaming industry in A&B.
Its Directorate of Offshore Gaming regulates the market and handles licensing. The Division of Gaming is a regulatory body under its wing.
There are two types of gambling licenses:
The former applies to betting activities. The latter to casino games, lotteries, keno and bingo.
Every online casino company must establish a physical presence to apply for the licenses.
The table below presents all forms of legal gambling and corresponding licenses.
Form | Type | Legal | License |
---|---|---|---|
Casino | land-based | Yes | Interactive gambling license |
online | |||
Bingo | land-based | ||
online | |||
Poker | land-based | ||
online | |||
Lottery | land-based | ||
online | |||
Sports Betting | land-based | Interactive wagering license | |
online |
Look for the official Antigua Gaming Preferential Seal. That's the best way to know a casino of choice is LEGIT.
How to Validate the Website By the Seal?
You can validate the site by clicking on the image of the seal. You will land on a page stating the seal is VALID, where you'll get the basic info on the corresponding company. If the company's legit, that is.
In the case of an ILLEGAL casino, the landing page will state the seal is INVALID. You can then report the offense if you like.
Currently, several casinos possess the Directorate's licenses:
Disclaimer: This information is prone to change. For a complete and up-to-date list, please consult the official licensing page. |
Yes. Licensed casinos are subject to the government's scrutiny. Antigua and Barbuda places high importance on protection standards. This makes it an exception to its Caribbean neighbors.
Players from Antigua and Barbuda must turn 18 before they can legally gamble.
Relevant legislation: 2007 Interactive Gaming and Interactive Wagering Regulations Part VII; Articles 133-136 |
Yes, a few. Currently, five casinos are operating. All of them you'll find in Antigua. These venues welcome tourists and locals alike.
Here's the list of all still operating venues:
Ayre Resort & Casino is Antigua's biggest gambling house and the first 5-star casino. The luxurious venue opened in 2023. The controversial owner claimed to have financed the casino with his Bitcoin earnings.
The biggest venue used to be King’s Casino in St. John’s. King's features the world's most giant slot machine.
Yes. Both brick-and-mortar and online casinos are subject to taxation.
Good news. Gambling winnings in Antigua and Barbuda are NOT TAXABLE.
Crypto gambling is NOT REGULATED. In fact, the relevant laws seem to favor any alternatives referred to as "tokens."
The law states that casinos are to accept any method approved by the regulatory body. But on the matter of cryptocurrencies, the Directorate seems not to say anything.
If whatever is not explicitly allowed is illegal, then casinos shouldn't accept cryptocurrencies. If what is not forbidden is permitted, then we're dealing with an entirely different story.
Legislation to consider: 2007 Interactive Gaming and Interactive Wagering Regulations |
Here are the key markers of Antuguan and Barbudan dynamic gambling history.
Year | Event |
1963 | Gambling becomes legal in Antigua and Barbuda. |
1981 | The twin islands gain independence from the British Empire. |
1994 | Online gambling is legal. A&B is the first country to issue online gambling permits. |
1999 | The U.S. starts hindering the B&A gambling market via master service providers. |
2002 | The Financial Services Regulatory Commission ("the Commission") comes into existence. |
2003 | WTO rules in favor of Antigua against the U.S. The U.S. paid no compensation to date. |
2007 | The Interactive Gaming and Interactive Wagering Regulations make online casinos legal. |
2008 | Antigua and Barbuda are whitelisted. The local companies can offer services in the U.K. |
2010 | Kahnawake signs the Memorandum of Understanding with local authorities in 2010. |
2014 | The local companies must acquire the U.K. licenses to operate abroad. |
2016 | The Gambling Act. |
2017 | The Gambling Amendment Act. |
2021 | After Brexit, the licensed operators from A&N must apply for U.K. license to accept U.K. players |
Here’s a quick fix on casinos in Antigua and Barbuda: