Online poker is technically illegal in Bolivia under Law No. 060, which serves as the primary legislation regulating gambling activities in the country since 2010. While this law strictly prohibits unauthorized online gambling, including poker, it fails to provide a clear licensing framework for online gambling operators to obtain legal authorization (1). The Bolivian Gambling Control Authority (AJ) oversees enforcement of gambling regulations but has historically struggled with limited resources to crack down on international poker sites serving Bolivian players.
Despite the technical illegality, online poker operates in a regulatory gray area where enforcement is minimal and players are typically not prosecuted for participating in offshore poker platforms. The AJ has announced plans to increase controls on online gambling activities and conduct studies to better understand gambling consumption patterns in the country (2). However, the timeline for implementing comprehensive online gaming legislation remains uncertain, leaving poker players in a state of legal ambiguity.
"Bolivia's Gaming Control Authority informed that this year controls for online gambling will be increased, and a study will be carried out to know the consumption of gambling in the country."
The current legal framework creates a situation where foreign online poker operators continue to serve Bolivian players without significant government interference, while domestic operators cannot legally offer these services. The AJ has imposed record fines on illegal gambling operations, demonstrating increased enforcement efforts against unauthorized gambling activities. However, most of these enforcement actions target local illegal operations rather than international online platforms, allowing offshore poker sites to continue operating with relative impunity.
Source:
https://www.igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulation-in-bolivia/
https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2023/04/13/66800-bolivia-39s-gaming-control-authority-increases-online-gaming-controls
Last updated: 27-09-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
