Simon’s Guide to Gambling and Casinos in Ecuador

Casino gambling in Ecuador has been illegal since 2011. After the referendum proposed by president Rafael Corra, casino gambling was banned, and all casinos and gambling halls were forced to shut down. Despite outcries from the industry and the predicted rise of unemployment, the government was unrelenting.

Prior to the decision to prohibit all casino gambling in the country, there had been dozens of casinos operating in the country attached to hotels. Casino laws regulated the number of table games by the quality of the hotel attached: five star hotels had to offer at least four different types of table games along with slot machines, while 3-4 star hotels had to run at least two types.

Interestingly, online casino gambling had never been regulated in Ecuador. Online casinos were also not included in the law banning brick and mortar gambling. As a result, locals are free to play on international online casino sites, though there are no online casinos licensed in Ecuador.

Bingo is an immensely popular game in Ecuador. Before 2011 there had been several large bingo halls operating in the country as well as video bingo machines.

Online gambling, including online bingo had never been regulated in Ecuador. Online bingo operators were also not included in the law banning brick and mortar gambling. For lack of a gambling licence, local companies may not offer online bingo games in Ecuador. There are, however, several international bingo sites available in the country, where Ecuadorian gamblers may play without any repercussions.

Poker has been illegal in Ecuador since the referendum and the following gambling law of 2011. The law banned all forms of brick and mortar gambling including poker; citing corruption and money laundering as a reason for the decision. Prior to 2011, live poker games had been available at the country’s many casinos. The most famous poker player hailing from Ecuador is Carlos “The Matador” Mortensen.

Online gambling, including online poker had never been regulated in Ecuador. Online poker operators were also not included in the law banning brick and mortar gambling. As there have never been any online poker licences issued, local companies may not offer online poker in Ecuador. There are, however, several international online poker sites available in the country, where Ecuadorian gamblers may play without any repercussions.

Sports betting had been legal and quite popular in Ecuador before 2011. The locals’ favorite sport to bet on was football, though other sports were available as well. Dog and horse race betting, however, had never been widespread. The 2011 gambling regulation outlawed sports betting as well, and currently there are no legal opportunities for live sports betting in Ecuador.

Online sports betting had never been regulated in Ecuador. Online sports betting operators were also not included in the law banning brick and mortar gambling. As there have never been any licences issued, local companies may not offer online sports betting in Ecuador. There are, however, several international online bookmakers available in the country, where Ecuadorian gamblers may play without any repercussions.

Lottery is the only form of gambling currently legal in Ecuador. The country has a national lottery which has a monopoly over the Ecuadorian lottery market. The lottery offers three numeric lottery games as well as scratch cards.

Lottery tickets are also available for buying online. Apart from the Lotería Nacional there are no other online lottery operators licensed in Ecuador. However, locals are free to participate in lottery draws on international online lottery sites.

Bitcoin is banned in Ecuador along with all other virtual currencies in circulation. The government has plans for introducing a virtual currency issued by the country’s national bank, but the plans have not come to fruition as of yet. As a result, Bitcoin gambling is also illegal, though there have been no reports of players prosecuted for Bitcoin gambling.