The Bahamas is an archipelagic state located in the Atlantic Ocean, to the east of Florida and to the north of Cuba. The regulation history of gambling in the Bahamas is well defined with many important legislative changes over the years. Here is a guide to Bahamas sports betting that will help you understand more about the place and the advice to help you get started. Find out about the history of gambling laws and the regulation authorities, allowed types of bets, and our choice of the best betting sites in the Bahamas.
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Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
Changes to Gambling Laws in the Bahamas
The laws concerning gambling in The Bahamas have been revised several times because of shift in attitude and advancement in technology.
A Brief History
- 1969: This is because the act was passed in the Bahamas meaning that the current platform for gambling is well established.
- 2014: New changes made in the Gaming Act allowed the online and/or mobile betting to take place within the licensed premises.
- 2020: Further advancements made the process even more effective and at the same time the rules that were being applied became tougher in order to prevent dishonesty.
The following are the legal changes that have been made in the Bahamas concerning gambling; These legal changes have fostered a proper and well regulated gambling industry in the Bahamas.
Regulatory of Betting Sites in The Bahamas
There are several other various regulatory bodies that are put in place to ensure that gambling in The Bahamas is done in the right manner.
Key Regulatory Bodies
- Gaming Board for the Bahamas: This body has the general function of regulating the supply of gambling services in the country through licensing.
- Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU): Has very cordial and good relationship with the Gaming Board to ensure that there are proper transactions of money to avoid money laundering.
These agencies are very vital in ensuring that the gambling industry of Bahamas is not tainted in any way.
Bets Are Permitted and Prohibited
There are certain rules and restrictions of the types of bets that are allowed and not allowed in The Bahamas.
Permitted Bets
- Sports Betting: It is allowed in athletic games and sports; however, it is not allowed in horse racing.
- Casino Gaming: Has slots, table games and poker.
- Online Betting: No, only in the areas where the hotel/club has a liquor selling license.
Prohibited Bets
- Remote Betting: You cannot lay your bet through the telephone or any other communication instrument like the telephone.
- Unlicensed Online Betting: Public places especially those places where they sell alcoholic products are not allowed.
Understanding the rules of the law in this connection will thus help you in avoiding the occurrence of any legal mishap while participating in your favorite betting activities.
Gambling Licenses and Fees
To get a gambling license in Bahamas certain conditions have to be met and certain fees have to be paid.
Types of Licenses
- Gaming License: The following are the areas that the previously discussed potential tourism businesses would be situated in the casinos and resorts.
- Proxy Gaming License: For the internet shops that thrives in the provision of gambling services through the use of the internet.
- Mobile Gaming License: It allows the mobile betting within its premises provided that it has a license.
- Restricted Interactive Gaming License: Permits the activity of betting in the internet within the physical compound of the casino.
Licensing Fees
- Small Casino: $50,000 annually.
- Medium Casino: $100,000 annually.
- Large Casino: $200,000 annually.
Such licenses and fees help to prevent the dishonest actions of gambling companies and thus keep the players safe.
Best Betting Sites in The Bahamas
There are several international standard betting sites in the Bahamas and people can place bets on different types of betting.
1Xbet Sports
1xBet
Features: Football, basketball, tennis and many more – live betting.
Bonus: New customers only: up to $100.Up To £100
Melbet
Melbet
Features: A number of sports for live betting with an emphasis on soccer, ice hockey and cricket.
Bonus: Bet $30 get $30.Bet £30 Get £30
Megapari
Megapari
Features: Real time broadcasting of horse races and real time odds.
Bonus: Up to $100 and an additional 15% as a free bet.Up To £100 + 15% Free Bets
These platforms offer a smooth betting experience for all the users, including the newbies in the betting industry.
Timeline of Bahamian Sports Betting Industry
The following are some of the events that have defined the Bahamas’ sports betting industry.
- 2014: Presents the Gaming Act amendments.
- 2016: Start of the online betting in the licensed facilities.
- 2018: New measures that have been put in place to increase the level of disclosure.
- 2020: Licensing process has been simplified in a big way with some significant changes.
- 2022: Enrichment of the betting services such as the live stream and the live odds.
These are the important milestones that reveal the gradual build up of the Bahamian sports’ betting market.
Celebrating Bahamian Sports Stars
The Bahamas has been fortunate to produce many sportsmen and women of international repute.
Track and Field
- Tonique Williams-Darling: The champion of the 400m race at the Olympic games.
- Shaunae Miller-Uibo: Record holder of the world and the Olympic champion.
Basketball
- Mychal Thompson: Klay Thompson’s father and a former basketball player of NBA.
- Buddy Hield: He is a player in the NBA today popular for his three-point shoot.
Sailing
- Durward Knowles and Cecil Cooke: Some of the worlds famous Olympic gold medalists in sailing are;
All these athletes have placed the Bahamas on the map, especially in the field of athletics and sports to come.
Gambling Laws in the Neighboring Countries
It is now time to discuss briefly the laws on gambling in three different neighboring countries
Jamaica
- Regulatory Body: This is the situation with Jamaica’s Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission or BGLC.
- Permitted Bets: Betting on sports, betting at a casino, and the lotteries.
- Prohibited Bets: An analysis of the unlawful online gambling.
Puerto Rico
- Regulatory Body: The Puerto Rico Gaming Commission.
- Permitted Bets: The other form of gambling includes betting on sports, playing in casinos and betting on horses.
- Prohibited Bets: Online gambling: gambling without a permit.
Cuba
- Regulatory Body: Tourism Department.
- Permitted Bets: Only allowed to tourists in the casinos that are licensed.
- Prohibited Bets: Gambling activities undertaken by the cuban citizens.
The analysis of the gambling industry in these countries gives a general view of the region’s regulation and possibilities.
Conclusion
The country has a developed gambling market with strict control over the activities of gambling establishments and numerous variability for players. No matter if one is interested in sports betting, casinos, or achievements of Bahamian athletes, there is always something to do.
FAQ about Betting Sites in The Bahamas
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