Online Gambling Laws in Monaco

Monaco is famous for its Formula 1 Grand Prix and the world-renowned Le Grand Casino de Monte Carlo, as featured in many hit films. However, the country's gambling laws are surprisingly restrictive. Learn all about it in our article on gambling laws in Monaco below.

Gambling Regulation by Casino Type

Monaco's gambling legislation is laid out in law number 1.103 on games of chance, the Monégasque Gaming Law, enacted in 1987. The law puts into place a plan hatched by Charles III of the country's royal family, which faced bankruptcy in 1848. The plan was so successful that all debts were paid off, and the country abolished taxes.

Even though Monaco is home to perhaps the most famous casino in the world, Le Grand Casino de Monte Carlo, the country's gambling laws are quite restrictive. Let's look at them as they apply to each form of gambling.

Casino Games

Casino gambling is legal in Monaco and has been since 1856. Operators are required to hold a licence, and there are currently three casinos based in the country, all located in the capital, Monte Carlo. Interestingly, locals are not permitted to gamble or enter the country's casinos unless they work there, with tourists being the venues' only source of income.

Online casino slots and other online games are unregulated in Monaco, with Monegasque citizens and tourists free to play at foreign online casinos.

Poker

Similarly, poker is legal in Monaco and has been since 1856, but only licensed casinos can offer poker games; there are no standalone poker clubs in the country. Online poker is unregulated in Monaco, with residents and tourists able to access poker gaming options via offshore sites.

Bingo

Land-based bingo is not only non-existent in Monaco, it's also illegal. The casinos don't run bingo games, and no bingo halls or clubs exist. Online bingo gambling is unregulated and not mentioned in Monaco's legislation, leaving locals and tourists to play at foreign bingo sites.

Lotteries

Lottery gambling is legal in Monaco and has been since 1973. Unlike other countries in the region, Monaco doesn't have a national lottery. Instead, the French national lottery company Française des Jeux runs a monopoly in the country and is the only entity legally permitted to do so. 

Monegasque citizens and tourists can buy French and Euromillions lottery tickets and scratch cards at the company's retail outlets. Lottery gambling is, therefore, one of the only forms of gambling that residents of Monaco are legally permitted to enjoy. Online lottery gambling is not specifically regulated in Monacan laws. Still, Française des Jeux offers the ability to play online lottery games for real money to those resident in or visiting Monaco.

Social Casinos and Crypto Casinos

Social casinos - that offer gambling with play chips rather than real money - are not specifically mentioned in Monaco's gambling laws, nor are skins gambling or loot boxes.

In terms of cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin is legal in Monaco, and the country is generally crypto-friendly. However, none of the country's casinos accept cryptocurrencies. Residents can play casino games using their favourite coins via offshore crypto casinos.

Monaco Sports Betting Laws

Even though one of the most popular Formula 1 Grands Prix is hosted yearly, French football, Ligue 1, includes the country's team, Monaco, and has made all sports betting illegal. The only exception to this blanket ban is horse racing betting, and only that offered by French company PMU. That makes horse racing betting the only other form of gambling besides lottery gambling that residents of Monaco are legally allowed to enjoy.

Online sports betting is not regulated, nor is fantasy sports betting, with those interested in betting on such events free to do so at the online sports betting sites that accept Monegasque members without fear of prosecution.

Gambling age restriction

Monaco's legal gambling age is 18 or over. However, due to strict laws, locals cannot gamble except on the French lottery and horse racing betting via PMU. They may not even enter the country's casinos unless they work there.

Tax regulation

Monaco gambling tax regulation is almost non-existent, with companies not subject to tax or VAT in the country. However, they still have to pay corporation tax of between 2.66% and 30%. The Française des Jeux lottery operator and PMU horse racing betting company must also pay stamp duty.

Players are not charged tax on their gambling winnings. Locals are not permitted to gamble, and tourists pay taxes according to the laws in their resident country.

History of Gambling Laws in Monaco

Monaco's unique gambling laws date back to the 19th century when Charles III of the ruling Grimaldi family made the activity legal to save them from bankruptcy. The idea was to appeal to the English upper class but prevent residents of the country from gambling and developing problems, which would drain the economy.

After inventing the single-zero Roulette wheel in 1843, François Blanc (aka The Magician of Monte Carlo) was granted permission by Charles III to build the country's first casino in 1856. Still, it went out of business the following year. In 1863 the world-famous Le Grand Casino de Monte Carlo opened, then extended in the 1880s.

The casino's operating company, SBM (Monte Carlo Societe des Bains de Mer), owned in equal parts by the royal family, the government and the public, later opened another three casinos. Still, one was permanently closed due to the pandemic in 2019. Monaco's main legislation regarding gambling is law number 1.103 on games of chance, the Monégasque Gaming Law, enacted in 1987.

Key Facts

Monaco's gambling laws are pretty restrictive, especially for residents of the tiny country. Here are the key points to remember regarding gambling in Monaco:

• Land-based casino gambling is legal: Only tourists can play at the country's three casinos; locals are not permitted to enter unless they work there.
• Offline bingo is illegal in Monaco.
• Offline poker is legal but only offered at licensed casinos.
• Lottery gambling is legal in Monaco, but only via Française des Jeux.
• Horse racing betting is the only legal form of sports betting in Monaco, and only via French horse racing company PMU.
• Online gambling is unregulated: Residents and tourists can enjoy online slots, online live casino games and other online gambling games at foreign sites without fear of prosecution.