Best Nicaraguan Betting Sites

Nicaragua is a Central American country next to Honduras and Costa Rica. It has been under Spanish rule throughout its long history; parts of the country also fell under British and Mexican control later on. Eventually, it gained its independence in 1821. Sports are part of everyday life, with football, boxing and baseball being the most popular ones.

Amidst all that, gambling in Nicaragua has long been part of the local culture. In 1996, the national lottery was established, along with the first efforts of a regulatory framework. The most prominent -and still active- piece of legislation is the 2011 law, deeming all forms of gambling legal; and while there is no reference to the online section, it is treated as being legal too. 

Top Betting Sites in Nicaragua

There are quite a few options for local bettors; that’s why we list the best online bookmakers in Nicaragua, which have wide coverage of all major football events and competitions, as well as special bets and markets. They also have a Spanish interface for a more localized experience.

Betting in Nicaragua - 5 Things to Know

• 1
  The legal gambling age is 18
• 2
  There is no law prohibiting online betting in Nicaragua
• 3
  Land-based betting mainly takes place within casino premises
• 4
  Avoid any betting agents that might approach you on the streets
• 5
  There are no locally licensed operators, yet numerous online bookies accept Nicaraguans

General info

⏩Population: 6.600.000

⏩Active players: 850.000

⏩Currency: Cordoba (NIO)

⏩Regulated gambling products: Lotteries, casinos, sports betting

⏩Operator types: Lotteries, casinos, unlicensed online bookies & casinos

⏩Designated authority: No specific authority, just the Ministry of Finance

⏩Status: Regulated

 Is Online Gambling in Nicaragua Legal?

Under the ruling of Sandinista, there was no Nicaragua gambling law; instead, all forms of gambling were simply illegal. In 1996, the national lottery was established. Shortly after, in 2001, came the first effort to legalize the sector. However, the first proper framework came in 2010 with “Special Law 766, for the Control and Regulation of Casinos and Gambling Venues''. Actually, it still serves as the basic piece of legislation concerning gambling in Nicaragua.

There is no chapter concerning the online sector, though; yet, it is perceived to be legal for players to engage in such activity. Moreover, the existing licensing mechanism only targets land-based casinos. The supervising body is the Oficina de Casinos y Salas de Juegos, operating under the Ministry of Finance. The 2014 amendments and the 2015 Casino Control Act just added some extra details to the existing law. Again, they didn't include any reference concerning the Nicaragua gambling online environment.

However, authorities never go after online gamblers; accessing Nicaragua bookmakers is clearly seen as being legal. There are no bookies with local licenses, with many locals playing at Costa Rican bookmaker Betcris. Meanwhile, though, international bookies steadily offer more betting options. Local bettors have the freedom of choice, so more and more seem to prefer the latter eventually.

Essential Info for Bettors

The legal gambling age is 18, either for entering a casino or participating in lotteries. Most international operators also adopt the same age limitation. Remember, in Nicaragua, online gambling is not illegal but it is unregulated.

There are a few casinos inside which one may find betting facilities. In general, try to avoid any local bookmaking agents since many of them are scams. Every bookmaker we list in our analysis is trustworthy and legitimate; their offering is also very rich.

There is generally nothing alarming when accessing Nicaragua bookies, apart from actually visiting a properly licensed one; and learning to avoid the -quite a few- dodgy South American operators is a good starting point. The authorities hold an absolutely passive stance towards online betting. A friendly environment awaits players altogether, so try and make the most of it.

How to Deposit Online

Internet penetration is not very high, around 47%; yet more and more are familiarizing themselves with online gambling. The same goes for payments, with locals using credit cards and bank wires. Betting in Nicaragua can be made through top e-wallets, like Skrill and Neteller; they offer fast and secure transactions while helping to convert your local money to US dollars or Euros.

Cryptocurrencies in Nicaragua are not yet legal. However, locals seem to hold a favourable stance towards this rising financial novelty. Many betting sites in Nicaragua are already using cryptos, so local bettors are increasingly familiarizing themselves with them too.

The Future of Nicaraguan Betting

The 2014 amendments and the 2015 casino act were signs of an effort to shape up the gambling scene. Still, the Nicaraguan betting environment has much room for development; and proper regulation too, mainly regarding the online sector.

The general feeling is indeed already user-friendly and the authorities are totally lax. However, alongside the overall cryptocurrencies rise in Central America, the Nicaragua online betting scene needs to be catered for. We just have to wait and see if the state realizes that through proper regulation, it could benefit too; the taxation of any involved providers could bring serious money to the state budget.

Gambling in the Neighbouring Countries

Right outside Nicaragua are some other top destinations for gambling, but regulations are still different. It is recommended to seek as much knowledge of the gambling atmosphere when you are planning to visit a neighbouring country. So here are some overviews of the situation in 3 of these countries:

⏩ Costa Rica: is where you can find it all in a top tourist destination and a thriving economy. Land-based casinos are abundant, whether licensed or not. Locals are only allowed to participate in the lottery, so they turn online for alternative solutions. Costa Rica betting sites, although illegal, are very popular, and online gambling is unsanctioned. 

⏩ Panama: has legal and regulated gambling, and the government issues an internationally recognised license. Panama betting sites cater to the local market, offering a wide range of sports and events to bet on, as well as competitive odds and secure payment methods.

⏩ Suriname: is another country with a grey approach towards gambling, where it is legal but not very well regulated. There are few Suriname sport betting sites that accept local players, offering a decent selection of sports and events to bet on, as well as generous welcome bonuses and free bets.