El Salvador advances reform to regulate land-based casinos and gaming halls
Lotería Nacional de Beneficencia proposes national supervision with target March 2027.
Key Takeaways
- The Lotería Nacional de Beneficencia is preparing an Organic Law reform to assume national regulation of land-based casinos and gaming halls in El Salvador.
- President Javier Milián said the initiative will regulate machine operators and suppliers and require certifications for machines entering the country.
- The LNB projects the iGaming market could grow up to 80% in 2026, with online casinos concentrating most regulated activity.
- March 2027 is the target date for the regulatory review, while a presidential election in February 2027 could affect implementation timing.
The Lotería Nacional de Beneficencia (LNB) has announced it is preparing a reform of its Organic Law to assume regulation of land-based casinos and gaming halls in El Salvador, with an implementation target of March 2027. Javier Milián, president of the LNB, told SBC Noticias the initiative will regulate machine operators and suppliers and provide greater guarantees to players and investors.
By Miguel Sandoval, Corresponsal de regulación.
What the LNB proposes
Milián explained that there are currently no state licences for these establishments and that, instead, municipalities grant operating permits with limited legal effect. The LNB intends that the Organic Law reform will allow the institution to assume national supervision and require certifications for machines entering the country.
"At present there are no licences for these establishments; instead municipalities grant operating permits. However, these permits have limited legal reach and do not provide all the necessary guarantees for the activity to be carried out correctly," Javier Milián said to SBC Noticias.
Market context and timetable
The LNB cites internal projections that estimate the iGaming market could grow by 80% in 2026, with online casino activity concentrating most regulated activity. The push to regulate land-based gaming comes as the online segment shows significant growth.
The LNB has set March 2027 as the target date for the regulatory review. There is also a presidential election scheduled for February 2027, together with legislative and municipal polls, which could affect the pace of implementation if the government changes.
Political and sector risks
A note from iGaming Expert indicates that electoral processes in regional markets have previously altered regulatory stability for gambling. For now, Milián and the LNB have not specified concrete fee proposals or technical requirements; communications focus on extending regulatory competence and ensuring certifications for machines introduced into the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What changes does the Lotería Nacional de Beneficencia propose for land-based gaming regulation?
The LNB proposes to assume national regulation of casinos and gaming halls through a reform of its Organic Law, extending supervisory competence to operators and suppliers and requiring certifications for machines brought into the country.
When does El Salvador plan to implement the reform for land-based gaming?
The LNB has set March 2027 as the target date for the regulatory review, according to statements by its president, Javier Milián, to SBC Noticias.
How does the online market compare to land-based gaming in El Salvador?
The LNB projects the iGaming market could grow by up to 80% in 2026, with online casinos concentrating most of the regulated activity, while some land-based segments remain relatively stagnant.
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About the author
Miguel Sandoval
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Miguel Sandoval tracks gambling legislation, licensing, and regulator enforcement — from Spain's DGOJ and the Latin American authorities to the UKGC, the MGA, and the state-by-state map in North America. The reports answer three questions precisely — what changed, where, and who it affects — with jurisdictions, dates, and penalties cited exactly as published. Operators and compliance officers read Miguel Sandoval to know which rulebook moved before their next meeting.
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