Online poker is legal in Guernsey, a British Crown Dependency that maintains its own gambling laws and regulations under the Gambling (Guernsey) Law, 1971, which serves as the primary piece of legislation governing gambling activities in the jurisdiction (1). The Law Library of Congress provides comprehensive resources regarding Guernsey's legislative framework, including links to government websites with access to free online legal resources related to the British Crown Dependency's legal system (2). Guernsey has established a separate regulatory body through the Guernsey Gambling Control Commission Law, 2001, which created the Commission to carry out functions relating to the supervision, control and regulation of gambling and any form of gambling as the States may assign by Ordinance (1).
The Guernsey Gambling Control Commission is not a committee of the States, nor a servant or agent of the States, giving it independent authority to regulate gambling activities within the Bailiwick (1). The Commission carries out such functions relating to the supervision, control and regulation of gambling as assigned to it by Ordinance, working under both the Guernsey Gambling Control Commission Law, 2001 and the Gambling (Guernsey) Law, 1971 (1). This dual legal framework allows Guernsey to maintain comprehensive oversight of gambling operations while preserving flexibility in how different forms of gaming are regulated and licensed.
"The Commission shall carry out such functions relating to the supervision, control and regulation of gambling and any form of gambling, as the States may from time to time assign to the Commission by Ordinance."
Guernsey's position as a British Crown Dependency allows it to maintain almost complete autonomy over internal affairs including gambling regulation, though the UK Government retains reserved powers to intervene in domestic affairs (1). The jurisdiction's regulatory approach has made it attractive for gaming operators, particularly through its sister island Alderney's Gambling Control Commission, which has been regulating e-gaming since 2000 (2). Players in Guernsey accessing online poker sites benefit from the established legal framework that permits such activities, though they should verify that platforms they use comply with applicable regulations and accept players from the jurisdiction.
Source:
http://www.guernseylegalresources.gg/article/95015/Guernsey-Gambling-Control-Commission-Law-2001
https://guides.loc.gov/law-guernsey/legislative
Last updated: 03-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
