Belize casinos are legal when they hold a government licence, and unlicensed gaming is an offence. The market is small: a handful of casinos, mostly in Belize City and the Corozal Free Zone on the Mexican border. Online gaming licences are under a government moratorium, and no online gaming company is licensed to operate from Belize.
Belize gambling at a glance
| Land-based casinos | Legal and licensed |
|---|---|
| Main law | Gaming and Lotteries Control Act (Act No. 3 of 2026) |
| Online casinos | Licensing moratorium; no online operators licensed |
| Where the casinos are | Mainly Belize City and the Corozal Free Zone |
| Currency at casinos | Belize dollars; US dollars are widely accepted in Belize |
| Last checked | November 2026 |
Is gambling legal in Belize?
Yes, in licensed venues. The government has warned that running slot machines, casino games or poker tables without proper authorisation is illegal. In 2026 Belize passed the Gaming and Lotteries Control Act (Act No. 3 of 2026), a law meant to bring its separate gaming and lottery laws into one framework, so check with the government for which body now handles a given licence.
In June 2025 the Government of Belize put out a public warning that, because of a moratorium, no online gaming companies are licensed to operate from Belize and no new licences will be issued until further notice. It said many gambling websites falsely claim a Belize licence and told firms making that claim to stop, calling their operations unauthorized and illegal. An online casino that advertises a Belize licence should be treated as unlicensed.
Where the casinos are
Belize’s casinos are concentrated in two areas:
- Belize City: the country’s largest city has a casino at the Ramada Princess Hotel on the waterfront.
- Corozal Free Zone: at the northern border crossing with Mexico, this duty-free zone has casinos that draw many visitors from across the border.
Most venues are small by international standards and focus on slot machines, with a few tables for blackjack, roulette and poker games at the larger properties. Opening hours, games and even ownership change often in a market this size, so check directly with a casino before you plan a trip around it.
Online gambling in Belize
There is no licensed online casino market in Belize. Offshore sites accept players from many countries, but none of them holds a valid Belize online licence. If you are a US player, our online casino reviews explain which offshore brands accept US players and point out that they are not licensed by US state regulators.
Visiting Belize
Belize sits on the Caribbean coast of Central America, between Mexico and Guatemala. It was the British colony of British Honduras until it was renamed Belize in 1973, and it became independent in 1981. English is the official language, and Spanish is widely spoken.
Most visitors come for the Belize Barrier Reef, the cayes and Maya sites such as Xunantunich, Caracol, Lamanai and Altun Ha rather than for gambling. If casinos are part of your trip, see our guides to nearby Central America, Honduras and Costa Rica, or the full list of country guides on Gamboool. You can also compare how other table games work before you play.
Belize casinos FAQ
Are casinos legal in Belize?
Yes, if they are licensed. Unlicensed casino games and slot machines are illegal.
Can you gamble online in Belize?
Not legally through a Belize-licensed site. Online licensing is under a moratorium, and the government says no online gaming companies are licensed to operate from Belize.
Where are the casinos in Belize?
Mainly in Belize City and the Corozal Free Zone on the Mexican border.
Can I use US dollars at Belize casinos?
US dollars are widely accepted in Belize, but check each casino’s policy on chips and payouts.
Gamble responsibly. If you are in the US and gambling stops being fun, call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET.