Andorra is a beautiful country that is located in the Pyrenees Mountains in Europe, between Spain and France and in matters concerning gambling the country is rather liberal. It unravels a detailed, systematical view of Andorra Bookmakers and Andorra sports betting that addresses the topics such as legal framework of gambling in Andorra, governing authorities, licensing, taxes, and sorts of permitted bets. Thus, the aim of our work is to describe the existing legislation and potential in this field for those who are interested in it.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
Legal Framework of Gambling in Andorra
Early Prohibition and Legalization
Initially, gambling activities was and was banished under the Decree of the “Veguers” of Public Order and Setting Foreigners 1929. However, it’s been discovered that between 1930 and 1935, share games and casino style games were allowed depending on the distinction made between them. This decree was intended to eliminate any occupations connected with luck and chance for the purpose of gambling except for suitable amusement. However, because of pressure form other neighbors mainly Spain, the earlier form of dangers gambling such as bingo found a covering under the names of Traditional Quintos.
Ever in acknowledgment that such activities have to be controlled, there is the Bingo Game Law enacted on November 28, 1996. This was the start of a more organized attempt to regulation of gambling in Andorra as seen from the event above.
Progressive Development
Looking at the Andorran legal system it is also possible to observe that it underwent large changes to reflect the country’s gambling legislation. The major milestones include:
- 2012: Laws affecting bingo games: Bingo Game Law and alteration or addition of the Bingo Game Law as and when required.
- 2015: Law 37/2014, on games of chance and the creation of the Andorran Gambling Regulatory Council (CRAJ).
- 2021: Law 4/2021, Law aiming at consolidating the regulation of games of chance.
Regulatory Framework and Licensing
Council for the Regulation of Gambling in Andorra
The Andorran legal gambling market’s regulation body is the CRAJ, or Consell Regulador Andorrà del Joc. It oversees the adherence of the operators to the legal requirements the issuing of licenses to the operators.
License Types and Fees
There is a need for those operators who wish to offer gambling services to seek licenses from the CRAJ. These licenses are classified based on various parameters:
- Class A: Therefore, this marketing strategy became really beneficial for large-scale operators providing numerous varieties of games.
- Class B-J: Particular licenses for various types of games such as online betting and sports betting.
Fees and Taxation
The fee structure and taxation for gambling operators vary depending on the license type:
- General Gambling Tax: 25% of total gambling revenue.
- Bingo Tax: 10%
- Online Gambling Tax: 3 % given some provisos
- Lottery Tax: 10%
- Raffles Tax: 20%
- Promotional Lotteries Tax: 3%
Regarding the taxes that apply to the activities developed over the Internet, one must refer to Article 89 of Gambling Law 4/2021.
Sports Betting in Andorra
Legal Status and Regulations
Most forms of gambling are legal in Andorra, and like most EU countries betting on sporting events is also legal. The CRAJ is responsible for the granting of licenses together with the supervision over operations so as to ensure that they abide by strict conditions that are upheld to allow the management of the lottery with integrity.
Prohibited and Allowed Bets
Operators must adhere to specific rules regarding the types of bets they can offer:
- Allowed Bets: Events such as football, basketball, rugby, cycling among other games of chance that people have been aggregating their money together to bet on.
- Prohibited Bets: Any kind of gambling that one stands to benefit from when a given sporting event occurs or is considered wrongful in the sight of the CRAJ.
Andorra Bookmakers
There are several licensed bookmakers who are functional in Andorra and are available for providing choices to the betting fans. These bookmakers operate legally and will not try to deceive their customers in any way.
Key Milestones in Andorra’s Gambling History
- 1929: Veguers establish the general prohibition of gambling activities.
- 1996: Game of Bingo Law also refers to as the starting point of the legal betting or gambling in the Andorra country.
- 2012: Quite a few changes that had to be made to fit the constantly changing environment of gambling.
- 2015: As it is stipulated in Law 37/2014, there is a long needed legal regulation of games of chance.
- 2021: Regulation 4/2021 has compiled the existing provisions of the law, while laying down comprehensible rules for the operators.
Conclusion
It is crucial for any person who wants to indulge in the Andorran betting platforms to have proper knowledge about the Andorran laws and rules regarding betting. As with most aspects of gambling activities, Andorra has come a long way from the initial prohibition of gambling to a well-defined structured system of regulation of these activities.
Whether you want to know everything that happens on the sports betting market or you are an investor interested in Andorran opportunities, this information will be useful for understanding the legal status of the growing segment.
FAQs about Andorra Bookmakers
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