Puerto Rico Gambling Sites and Laws
The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States and is located in the Caribbean.
The US Congress governs the island nation with full jurisdiction and the President of the United States is recognized as the head of state.
Puerto Ricans are not allowed to vote in US elections despite being considered US citizens.
54% of voting Puerto Ricans voted in favor of becoming an independent state and it is very possible that Puerto Rico will soon achieve independence.
Puerto Rican Gambling laws are somewhat similar to those in the US. Most forms of betting are legal, licensed, and regulated at land-based establishments.
There are several casinos and other gaming venues such as bingo halls, horse racing tracks, and lottery stands.
It might surprise people to know that cockfighting is legal here too. One sector of the gambling industry that is illegal is sports betting.
It was outlawed by the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 1992.
Just as in the United States, online gambling in Puerto Rico is illegal and banks are required to block transactions between online gaming sites and Puerto Rican customers.
There are still several ways around these barriers and players are not prosecuted for doing so.
This means that Puerto Rican online gamblers are more or less free to access any number of top-rated gaming sites and the international gambling companies are happy to accept the action.
Top 10 Gambling Sites for Puerto Rico in 23 April 2024 – Updated List
What are the Best Gambling Sites and Promotions for Puerto Ricans?
Because Puerto Rican gambling laws make online gambling illegal, some of the biggest brands in online gaming are absent from this market. Some notable names that do not accept bets from Puerto Ricans are Pinnacle, and Betfair. The good news for Puerto Rican online casino lovers is that there are still a large number of industry leaders that take bets from Puerto Ricans.
Many of these sites also have some great bonuses that are easy to claim and fun to use. Take Party and LSBet as a few examples. They are all offering up to $100 in casino betting bonuses to new Puerto Rican customers. TitanBet and Casino King are well known for fast payouts and a wide variety of casino games and they are giving away up to $100 in welcome bonuses as are 7Bit Casino and Interwetten.
Looking for something bigger? No problem. Puerto Rican online casino players are a few mouse clicks away from cashing in on the €200 casino betting bonuses that are available at William Hill, Casino Kings and Casino Cruise. €300 welcome bonuses are yours for the taking at BetRally and Casino X. All of these promotions and many more are found in the promotions section at Gamblingjudge.com.
How Regulated is the Puerto Rican Gambling Market?
The gambling market here is only partially regulated. All land-based betting establishments are legal, licensed, and strictly regulated. Online gambling is considered illegal under Puerto Rican gambling laws and is therefore unregulated. Puerto Rican online bettors who place wagers at offshore gaming sites are not prosecuted. But if you want to find out more about this field, check our top 5 offshore sportsbooks.
Is Gambling Legal in Puerto Rico? What is the Legal Age?
Gambling at licensed and regulated brick and mortar gaming venues is perfectly legal here. There are several casinos and other gaming facilities throughout the country. All forms of online gambling are considered illegal although players aren’t prosecuted. The legal gambling age here is 21.
Does Puerto Rico Tax Gambling Winnings?
Puerto Rico betting sites do not tax gambling winnings but those who win may be subject to taxes on those winnings when they get home. US citizens must declare all gambling winnings on their income tax.
What currency and Payment Methods do Puerto Rican Players Generally Use?
As a territory of the United States, Puerto Rico’s official currency is the US dollar and it is accepted throughout the country. It is also a common currency option at internet gaming sites. Puerto Rican online gamblers that are looking for payment methods have fewer options than those in other jurisdictions.
Banks will block transactions between gaming sites and Puerto Rican customers so this may affect the use of credit cards as well as bank wire transfers. EWallets such as Skrill and Neteller are widely accepted as are prepaid cards like EntroPay and Mint. Be sure to check with your favorite gaming site to find out what the best option is for you.
