Online casinos operate in a complex legal environment in Puerto Rico, where land-based gambling has been extensively regulated since the Games of Chance Act of 1948, but online casino operations remain largely unregulated and prohibited under federal laws. The Gaming Division of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company regulates all administrative processes regarding licensing, franchise concession, supervision, and management of gaming operations in Puerto Rico for land-based establishments (1). However, online casino gaming falls under federal restrictions including the Wire Act of 1961 and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which prohibit most forms of internet gambling within the territory.
Puerto Rico has one of the longest-standing gambling frameworks in the world, with comprehensive regulations governing land-based casino operations across 26 legal gambling facilities in 12 cities throughout the territory. The island's gambling industry generates significant revenue primarily through tourist gamblers visiting luxury casino resorts and hotels (2). While recent legislation in 2019 legalized online sports betting and fantasy sports through the Government of Puerto Rico Gaming Commission Act, online casino games and slots remain illegal under current territorial and federal law.
"Puerto Rican gambling laws stipulate that casino games can only be played in the casino resorts and hotels scattered across the territory."
Despite the legal restrictions, approximately 250 offshore online casinos offer services to Puerto Rican residents, though these operate without local licensing or regulatory oversight. The Puerto Rico Gaming Commission, established in 2019, currently focuses on sports betting regulation and has indicated that online casino legalization may be considered in future legislative sessions (2). Players who access offshore casino platforms do so at their own risk, as these sites lack the consumer protections and regulatory safeguards provided by the local gambling authority. The government strongly discourages residents from using unlicensed offshore operators due to the absence of legal recourse and player protection mechanisms under territorial law.
Source:
https://tourism.pr.gov/gaming-division/
https://www.worldcasinodirectory.com/hotels/puerto-rico/ponce
Last updated: 20-07-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
