Online casinos accepting players from Saint Lucia

Named after Saint Lucy of Syracuse, Saint Lucia is an island country of the West Indies in the eastern Caribbean. Located north/northeast of the island of Saint Vincent, northwest of Barbados, and south of Martinique, the island covers a land area of 617 km2.

Some forms of gambling are permitted on the island, but online gambling, except for online lottery, is not regulated in Saint Lucia yet. People interested in gambling online usually do so on offshore betting sites which accept Saint Lucian players.

According to some data from the start of 2022, Saint Lucia’s internet penetration rate stood at 62.8 percent of the total population. As internet access has become increasingly available to residents, more and more people show interest in online gambling, so it is expected that the iGaming industry of Saint Lucia will continue to develop.

Laws and Regulations

Despite being a small country, Saint Lucia has a more or less well-arranged gambling industry. According to the National Lotteries Act No. 27 of 1998, gambling is legal in Saint Lucia. At first, the only permitted activity was the lottery, but over time the legalization of games of chances was extended, so players were given more options to choose from.

In 2004, the Gaming Control Act was passed, becoming the main piece of legislation in charge of governing games of chance in Saint Lucia. Worth noting is that the Act was amended a couple of times, bringing some significant changes such as the establishment of the Gaming, Racing, and Betting Authority.

Tasked to regulate the gambling sector, the Authority considers an application for a license, makes recommendations to the Minister, inspects devices, and issues a list of individuals that need to be excluded from participating in gaming, among all. Under the Act, the following types of licenses can be granted- gaming operator license, gaming distributor license, gaming manufacturer license, gaming machine license, racecourse operator license, and betting provider license.

There used to be one land-based casino on the island located in the Baywalk Shopping Mall in the community of Gros Islet, but the venue seems to be permanently closed.

Though the worldwide interest in iGaming is continuously growing, Saint Lucia still hasn’t regulated online gambling. The only officially permitted form of interactive gambling is an online lottery hosted by St. Lucia National Lottery.

Equipped with more than a solid selection of games, St. Lucia National Lottery gives players lots of opportunities to win something. The available games include Double Daily Grand, Tic Tac Toe, Lucky 3, Power Play, Scratch, Super 6, Big 4, 1-Off, Pick2, and Instacash.

Player Protection and Responsible Gambling Measures

If a gaming operator fails to prevent any person under the age of 18 years from entering a gaming establishment or playing, placing wagers on, or collecting winnings from a game approved by the Board, they will be punished. According to the relevant Act, such an operator is liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000.

In case an operator permits a person who’s on the list of excluded consumers to enter a gaming venue or take part in gaming activities, they will also be penalized financially up to $50,000. In addition to this, the same amount is charged to gaming companies who fail to display licenses or any other relevant certificates granted by the local Authority.

As the country has no locally licensed online casinos, there are no measures that encompass the interactive industry. It’s up to players to act responsibly and make sure they gamble within the limits of their budget.

The good thing is that most online casinos have dedicated pages where versatile tools for responsible gambling are featured. Players can set limits on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Also, they can activate notifications/ alerts to keep track of how much time they spend gambling online.

Payment Methods and Banking

The official currency of Saint Lucia is the Easter Caribbean dollar (EC$ or XCD). This currency is used in total a couple of states and territories which are members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Those are Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts, and Nevis, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as British Overseas Territories- Anguilla and Montserrat.

With regard to cryptocurrencies, the officials from Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) warned people against investing in this asset. As they explained, cryptocurrencies are not backed by anything, which leaves lots of room for finance terrorism and money laundering.

To deposit and withdraw in online casinos that accept Saint Lucian players, consumers can use a couple of different methods such as cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. Cryptocurrencies are among the options as well, but since they are unregulated, players use them at their own risk.

Aside from selecting the method, consumers should also check the minimum and maximum amount per transaction. Bear in mind that sometimes fees may be imposed, more often on withdrawals, rarely on deposits, so look for the info in Terms or in the cashier.

Depending on the regulatory institution a certain operator is licensed by, players may be required to verify their identity to be able to cash out. This procedure can be finalized instantly, but sometimes it may take a couple of days.

What Should Players from Saint Lucia Pay Attention to When Selecting a Casino?

Choosing an online casino can often be stressful, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be like that. Whenever a new casino is added to the directory, a player should follows some simple direction, so that the selection procedure can be completed without much hassle.

Here’s the list of things to inspect:

• Game developers and featured game categories, plus the look of the lobby itself, meaning how well-organized and simple to browse the interface is
• Available payment methods, banking policy, and pending/processing time
• The selection of bonuses and promotions, plus info on playthrough requirements, participating games, contribution percentage, cashout limits…
• Customer support options and responsible gambling tools
• Cross-platform optimization (in case you are a fan of mobile gambling)

Finally, it is essential to check the list of restricted countries, to ensure that very online casino accepts players from Saint Lucia. If it is listed as prohibited territory, then better look for an alternative, as you might easily end up with unpaid winnings.

Gamble responsibly!

FAQ

Is it legal to gamble online in Saint Lucia?

Online gambling is not legalized in Saint Lucia, but local players gamble on foreign betting websites. A solid number of offshore online casinos accept Saint Lucian players.

What are the most popular online casino games in Saint Lucia?

Players from Saint Lucia usually play slots and table games, as well as a lottery games offered by the St. Lucia National Lottery.

Can players from Saint Lucia gamble on mobile devices?

Saint Lucian players like to gamble on their smartphones and tablets. Aside from playing versatile games, they can also explore ongoing bonus offers and promotional campaigns.

Is demo play available in Saint Lucia -friendly online casinos?

Demo play is available to Saint Lucian players, but it’s important to note that some operators require registration, while others unlock this option to all visitors.

What kind of online casino bonuses can Saint Lucian players claim?

Most commonly claimed incentives include welcome bonuses, no deposit bonuses, and cashback bonuses.