Online poker is technically illegal in Guatemala according to the country's Penal Code, which has prohibited all forms of gambling since 1880 under Section 477 of Decree Number 17-73 (1). Despite this legal prohibition, Guatemala was one of the first Central American countries to regulate games of chance, and the government began licensing gaming facilities in 1956, though the license system remains weak with authority granted to the Ministry of Interior without effective oversight (1). The Law Library of Congress provides access to Guatemala's legislative and legal resources, including information about the country's constitution and regulatory framework (2).
The current gambling landscape in Guatemala is complex, with the country's law making both land-based and online gambling technically illegal, yet this has not stopped gambling activities from occurring throughout the nation (1). Foreign online casinos readily accept Guatemalan players, and semi-legal betting facilities operate within the country's borders despite the legal prohibitions (1). Efforts have been made to regularize online gambling in Guatemala, including bills proposed in 2013, but no considerable legislation has been passed, resulting in offshore operators serving Guatemalan players without facing legal ramifications (1).
"The country's law makes land-based and online gambling technically illegal. That does not appear to stop most of the gambling activities that occur—foreign online casinos are happy to let Guatemalan players join their ranks; semi-legal betting facilities operate within its borders."
The lack of comprehensive regulation creates challenges for player protection, particularly as Guatemala has been classified as a country of concern regarding money laundering issues (1). The only fully licensed form of gambling is the state lottery, which has existed since 2005, while sports betting operates under a semi-legal framework with licenses granted at the discretion of the Ministry of Interior (1). Players in Guatemala who choose to engage in online poker should exercise caution by selecting casinos licensed in reputable jurisdictions and being aware that they have virtually no legal protection under current Guatemalan law.
Source:
https://www.igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulation-in-guatemala/
https://guides.loc.gov/law-guatemala/legislative
Last updated: 03-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
