Online poker in El Salvador operates in a transitional legal environment where recent legislation has established a regulatory framework, though online poker specifically remains largely unregulated. A new law passed on December 31, 2021, gave the National Lottery (Lotería Nacional de Beneficencia de El Salvador) the right to both oversee and run sports betting and online casino games nationwide, but online poker is not specifically regulated in El Salvador (1). While there are no licensed online poker operators in the country, there are also no laws against online gambling, allowing locals to freely play on international online poker sites.
The regulatory oversight falls under the National Lottery of El Salvador (Lotería Nacional de Beneficencia, LNB), which serves as the official government entity responsible for overseeing gambling licensing and operations (2). The LNB, established in 1870, operates as the primary regulatory authority and can authorize third parties to operate newly authorized games through permits, licenses, agreements, contracts, concessions, or public-private partnerships. However, the current regulatory framework focuses primarily on sports betting and casino games rather than specific online poker operations.
"The LNB may authorise third parties to operate the newly authorised games which would be carried out by means of a permit, license, agreement, contract, concession, or public-private partnership."
El Salvador's approach to online gambling regulation represents a significant shift from its historical position, where gambling was illegal dating back to 1882. The recent legislative changes demonstrate the government's recognition of online gambling's economic potential while maintaining regulatory control through the National Lottery. However, the absence of specific online poker regulation means that while international poker sites remain accessible to Salvadoran players, they operate without local licensing or consumer protections that a fully regulated framework would provide.
Source:
https://gofaizen-sherle.com/gambling-license/el-salvador
https://www.lnb.gob.sv/
Last updated: 27-09-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
