Online casinos are strictly illegal in Cuba under comprehensive gambling prohibition laws established immediately after the Cuban Revolution. All forms of gambling, including online casino activities, are banned under Ley 86, passed in 1959 shortly after Fidel Castro assumed power (1). This legislation was enacted as part of Castro's broader campaign to dismantle what he viewed as capitalist excesses and foreign exploitation associated with the previous Batista regime, where casinos had served primarily wealthy tourists while most Cubans remained in poverty.
The Cuban government maintains zero tolerance for gambling operations, with severe penalties for both operators and participants in illegal gambling activities. Operators of underground gambling establishments face heavy fines and imprisonment, while players can also be prosecuted, though enforcement against individual players remains limited (1). The ban encompasses all gambling mediums, and although the 1959 law predates the internet, Cuban authorities interpret it to include online gambling activities as part of the comprehensive prohibition on all forms of gambling.
"The government has made its position clear: all forms of gambling are prohibited under the law Ley 86, passed in 1959 shortly after Castro assumed power" (1).
Despite the strict legal framework, some offshore online casino operators continue to accept Cuban players, though accessing these sites carries significant legal risks for residents. The Cuban government maintains strict internet censorship and monitoring, blocking many foreign gambling websites while surveilling online activities (1). After Castro's rise to power, the new government implemented comprehensive measures to eliminate criminal activities including illegal gambling, leading to the closure of Cuba's once-thriving casino industry that had made Havana a major gambling destination in the 1940s and 1950s (2). Today, there is no formal licensing mechanism for any gambling operations in Cuba, and the government shows no indication of changing its hardline stance against gambling activities.
Source:
https://www.igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulation-in-cuba/
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_Cuba
Last updated: 24-07-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
