Bahamas - Apply for a Bookmaker License

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Procedure

Apply In-Person:

1. To apply for Bookmaker License (also known as Gaming License), the applicant has to visit the office of the Gaming Board of Bahamas. The address and contact details can be found in the following Contacts details
2. Visit the office and get the application forms for Bookmaker License from the relevant department. Or the applicant may opt to download them from Gaming Board of Bahamas portal by clicking on the following Application Forms
3. Bookmakers in the Bahamas need the following licenses:
   • Gaming licence – for casinos and casino resorts.
   • Proxy gaming licence – for offering online gambling services via a proxy, a physical location, webshops need this to let people play online, on their online platform, from their many physical locations.
   • Mobile gaming licence – same as above expect on mobile devices, restricted to the physical location, to the premise.
   • Restricted interactive gaming licence – for playing online within the casino, webshop or casino resort, on the licensed server, but not possible outside of the licensed physical location, where the main server is.
   • Gaming house premises licence and A gaming house agent licence  – for a physical location.
4. Complete the application forms with appropriate information under relevant sections.

   Note: When completing any of the licence application forms, ensure you read the instructions contained therein carefully before answering and follow specific instructions which may be given in relation to certain questions.

5. After filling the application form, make sure to attach all the documents listed in the “Required documents” section of this page.
6. Then, submit it in person to the relevant authority at the office.
7. After submission, your application along with the attached documents will be forwarded for further verifications.
8. Once all the internal processes are over, the applicants will be notified with the further instructions regarding the License Certificate.

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Required Documents

• Audited financial statements of the applicant for the past three years.
• Organisational chart.
• Documentation in respect of any extension granted by any Tax Authority.
• Certified true copies of the Incorporation Documentation and Memorandum & Articles of Association, Articles of Incorporation, Articles of Organization, Founding Document, Charter, Shareholders’ Agreement, Partnership Agreement, Trust Deed, certificate(s) of legal name changes and all amendments thereto.
• Certified true copy of the resolution by the Board of Directors or similar controlling body authorising the signatory hereto to sign the application documents on behalf of the applicant.

Office Locations & Contacts

GAMING BOARD FOR THE BAHAMAS
Nassau Head Office
4th Floor, Centerville House
2nd Terrace West & Collins Avenue
P.O. Box N-4564
Nassau, Bahamas
Telephone: 242 397 9200
Fax: 242 327 8864
Website Link
Contact Link

Eligibility

All licences issued by the gaming board for the Bahamas are contingent on the ongoing suitability for licensing of the persons to whom they are issued. In every case, the applicant bears the onus of proving full compliance with all applicable qualification criteria.

Fees

Click on the following link to view the fees in detail New Licencing Fees

Validity

The license requires period renewal.

Documents to Use

Gaming License Application Form Link

Sample Documents

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Processing Time

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Related Videos

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sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
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Instructions

• Read these instructions and every question carefully before answering and follow any specific instruction which may be given in relation to certain questions.
  
• Answer every question in full. If you fail to answer any question, give incomplete answers or fail to submit all the additional information required, your application will be considered to be incomplete and may be rejected by the Board.
  
• If a question does not apply to you, write “N/A” (for “Not Applicable”) in the space provided for the answer. If there is nothing to disclose in response to a particular question, write “None” in the space provided for the answer. If an alteration is made to an answer, sign in full next to the alteration.
  
• All answers on this form, except signatures, must be typed or legibly printed in black ink. On completion, each page of this form must be signed in full in the space provided at the bottom of each page.
  
• This application form must be completed by the person authorised thereto by the applicant company identified on the front page. Return the completed form to The Secretary, Gaming Board for The Bahamas, 4 th Floor, Centreville House, 2nd Terrace West & Collins Avenue, Nassau, Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
  
• The original completed application form and all the additional required information must be submitted to the Board (no copies of the original application or the supporting documentation are required to be submitted).
  
• If additional space is required to answer any question, please use additional pages, but be sure to indicate the number(s) of the question(s) you are answering on these additional pages and clearly cross reference the additional information with the relevant questions.
  
• All amounts must be reflected in Bahamian Dollars. When converting from a foreign currency to Bahamian Dollars or if documents are included which reflect foreign currencies, convert at or quote the applicable exchange rate and the date of the rate of exchange.
  
• If any details of the applicant, which are reflected in this application form, change before a licence has been issued by the Board, the Board must immediately be notified in writing.
  
• All dates must be in the format: Day / Month / Year.
  

Required Information

• Identifying Details Of Applicant
• Other Names And Addresses Of The Applicant
• Description Of The Applicant Entity
• Shareholding Of The Applicant
• Non-Voting Shareholders
• Involvement (Direct And In-Direct Shareholding)
• Diagrammatic Representation Of Ownership
• Shares Held By Applicant
• Financial Interests Held In Other Businesses, Excluding Shares
• Management And Other Contracts
• Criminal And Related History
• Trade Regulations And Securities Judgments
• Insolvency Proceedings And Appointed Receiver, Agent Or Trustee
• Existing Litigation
• Tax Information
• Attachments
• Signature
• Date

Need for the Document

The Licence is required for:

• The operation of a casino and the playing in or on designated areas of the casino resort, or such various separate parts of such premises as are specified in the licence, including private gaming areas approved by the Board in the prescribed manner, of any gambling game, including, but not limited to —
  
  • Gambling games played on traditional or electronic gaming tables and slot machines;
    
  • Any gaming device, operated for any consideration, for the play of poker, blackjack, any other card or table game, or keno or any simulation or variation of any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, any game in which numerals, numbers, or any pictures, representations, or symbols are used as an equivalent or substitute for cards in the conduct of such game;
    
• The placing and acceptance of bets on any event;
  
• The conduct of pari-mutuel wagering through a hub; and
  
• The arrangement, organization and operation of junkets.
  

Information which might help

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Other uses of the Document/Certificate

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e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

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