Online casinos operate in an unregulated legal environment in Honduras, where land-based gambling has been legal and regulated since 1977 under the Ley de Casinos de Juegos de Envite o Azar. The Honduran Institute of Tourism (Instituto Hondureño de Turismo - IHT) serves as the regulatory authority responsible for granting licenses to operators interested in offering entertainment products in brick-and-mortar venues (1). This legislation was originally enacted to increase tourism development and provide the country with an additional source of income, with most casinos located in Tegucigalpa and attached to hotels offering table games, gaming machines, and video poker.
Unlike land-based gambling, online gambling remains completely unregulated in Honduras, with no specific laws addressing whether internet-based casino activities are legal or illegal. The current gambling regulations date back to the 1970s and predate the internet era, creating a regulatory gap for digital gaming platforms (2). Licensed operators pay fees ranging from HNL 300,000 to HNL 700,000 or 20% of gross income minus prizes paid out, whichever is higher, but these requirements only apply to physical establishments under IHT oversight.
"There is no real control over online gambling in Honduras, although it's open to development. So, if the government ever wants to renovate and regularise this activity, then Honduras could introduce some law" (2).
The absence of online gambling regulation means that Honduran players can freely access offshore casino platforms without legal repercussions, as the government does not block foreign internet-based casinos or actively prosecute individuals for online gambling activities (1). However, this regulatory void also means there are no player protection measures, responsible gambling frameworks, or official institutions for players to turn to if problems occur. While neighboring Central American countries have begun modernizing their gambling laws to address online gaming, Honduras has yet to take similar steps, leaving the digital gambling sector in a legal gray area that could potentially be addressed through future legislative developments similar to those implemented in Panama and other regional neighbors.
Source:
https://lcb.org/restrictions/honduras
https://www.igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulation-in-honduras/
Last updated: 24-07-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
