Online poker is legal in Samoa under the Casino and Gambling Control Act 2010 and the Gaming Control Act 2017, which regulate all gambling activities through the Gambling Control Authority (1). Interactive gaming, including online sports betting and casino games such as poker, requires a license issued under section 88A of the Casino and Gambling Control Act 2010 (1). The Gambling Control Authority was established to license casinos, manage their operations, and bring all gambling and gaming activities under centralized regulatory control for enhanced monitoring over the sector.
The Gaming Control Act 2017 governs permissible forms of gambling including casino gaming, totalisator betting, lotteries, bingo, and gaming by telecommunications service providers (2). The Act establishes that only authorized gambling activities conducted for approved purposes with proper licensing are permissible, while all other forms remain prohibited and illegal (2). Operators must obtain valid licenses from the Gambling Control Authority and comply with strict conditions regarding responsible gambling, prevention of minors participating, and ensuring fairness and integrity of games.
"The objective of setting up the Gambling Control Authority by the Government is to license casinos, manage their operation and bring under the control of one Authority all gambling and gaming activities with a view to better control and enhance monitoring over the gambling sector."
Casino poker is permitted in licensed hotel-casino complexes, with gambling restricted to foreign passport holders who are residential guests at the hotel or another hotel (1). The Authority approves games played in casinos, gaming equipment, operating times, and enforces rules to promote probity and integrity while reducing adverse social impacts (1). Gambling by persons under 21 years is strictly prohibited, with operators facing fines up to 50 penalty units or imprisonment for one year for violations, while conducting unauthorized gambling activities carries penalties of 100 penalty units or three years imprisonment.
Source:
https://www.ag.gov.ws/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Casino-and-Gambling-Control-Act-2010.pdf
https://samoa.tradeportal.org/media/Gaming%20Control%20Act%202017.pdf
Last updated: 10-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
