Haiti is a country situated in the northern area of the Caribbean Sea, on the island of Hispaniola and has always had a rather interesting approach to gambling regulation. This paper seeks to give a detailed analysis of the legal framework governing the bookmakers’ gambling in Haiti and the current situation of sports betting in the country. We will discuss the historical background, present legislation and the effects on the business including Haiti bookmakers and Haiti sports betting.
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Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
Getting Acquainted with Gambling in Haiti
Haiti has legalised gambling since 1960 when the then Haitian President François Duvalier signed into law gambling related activities. Nevertheless, the law was quite unique as it dictated that hotels serving as homes to casinos must have not less than 200 rooms and this was a condition that none of the hotels in Haiti fulfilled. However, the performance of gambling has continued to rise in the past decades with an emphasis on both the physical casinos and the new online casinos.
Early History
- 1934: The Moniteur du 1er Février 1934 No. 10 legalised gambling but this did not start in earnest until the reign of François Duvalier.
- 1960: François Duvalier then legalized gambling in hotels with more than two hundred rooms, a condition that none of the local casinos met.
Modern Developments
- 2010: Casinos were not spared by the devastating earthquake; this resulted to their closure especially in Port-au-Prince.
- 2018: Les activités menées par l’entreprise d’Etat Haitienne des Jeux (LEH) contre les jeux illegaux souligne l’importance du respect des législations.
Regulatory Agencies
The main regulatory authority in the sphere of gambling in Haiti is the Haitian State Lottery (LEH). LEH is the regulator of all gambling activities, the licensing authority, and the one that enforces laws on gambling in the country. The agency also plays the role of fighting against the illicit gambling activities.
Licensing and Fees of Haiti Bookmakers
Obtaining a gambling license in Haiti involves compliance with several regulations:
- Licensing Authority: Haitian state lottery is known as Loterie d’Etat Haitien or LEH.
- Annual License Fee: $1,000
- Gross Profit Tax: 40%
- Withholding Tax on Winnings: 5% cut from the operators;
License Types
Haiti offers licenses for various gambling activities, including:
- Casinos
- Online gambling platforms
- Sports betting agencies
Allowed and Prohibited Bets
The most popular form of gambling in Haiti, or at least the form that is most readily available, is casino games and sports betting. Here’s a breakdown of what’s permitted and restricted:
Allowed
- Casino Games: Blackjack, roulette, poker and slot machines.
- Sports Betting: This involves the common games such as football and basketball.
- Blood Sports: It is legal to place a bet on the skirmish between the cocks
Prohibited
- Online Gambling: Some of the online platforms that are used are unlawful and this attract severe legal consequences.
- Unregulated Activities: Loot boxes, fantasy sports betting and social gambling are still not defined by the law
Impact of Natural Disasters
The 2010 earthquake affected Haiti’s gambling industry to a certain extent. Some of the casinos in Port-au-Prince closed down while others like the El Rancho Hotel & Casino had to undertake major face lift to remain in business.
Notable Casinos in Haiti
El Rancho Hotel and Casino
El Rancho Hotel & Casino received improvements after the 2010 earthquake and became one of the main attractions. It boasts:
- Over 100 gaming machines
- 13 table games
- A dedicated poker room
- Two restaurants: These are the Haiti El Rancho Restaurant and Fusion Restaurant.
Four Aces in Port-au-Prince
Located at Sunrise Market:
- This facility has electronic gaming machines and table games.
- Has a private area for the high roller roulette game.
- Offers daily slot tourneys and home of the poker room for No Limit Texas Hold’em.
Royal Haitian Hotel and Casino
Smaller in scale, it includes:
- 30 video slot machines
- Six table games including blackjack, Caribbean stud poker, and roulette.
- Local and nearby eating facilities.
Sports Betting in Haiti
Football is one of the most popular sports in Haiti and sports betting linked to football is quite common. This national football team has a history of accomplishment as they are the second Caribbean team to qualify in the World Cup held in 1974.
Notable Achievements in Sports
- 1974: Haiti gets to the FIFA World Cup.
- 2007: Haiti emerges the Caribbean Nation Cup Champions.
- 1928: Sylio Cator, receives the silver medal for long jump in the Amsterdam Olympics and football gains much more popularity in Haiti.
Prominent Football Players
- Joseph Eduard Gaetjens: Famous for the winning goal in the 1950 FIFA World Cup for the United States of America.
- Emmanuel Sanon: Main participant of the 1974 World Cup qualifying games.
Conclusion
To anyone who wants to know more about the bookmakers and sports betting in Haiti, it is vital to first comprehend the following. However, there are still many changes in the regulation and more prospects open up, Haiti’s gambling industry can be described as promising.
FAQ for Haiti Bookmakers
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