Online Gambling Laws in Luxembourg

Giuseppe Faraone
Senior Author
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It's common to check out Luxembourg's gambling laws and be impressed that just about all forms of gambling are legal in the country. However, a closer look reveals the situation is a bit more complex, with the country lacking a licensing system. Read on for everything you need to know about Luxembourg's gambling regulations.

Gambling regulations in luxembourg

Gambling Regulation by Casino Type

Although almost all forms of gambling are legal in Luxembourg as far as the law goes, the reality is quite different, with only specifically mentioned activities permitted under licence and a monopoly covering bingo, lottery and sports betting. Add to that the lack of a licensing system in the country, and you've got a mixed bag. Let's see what gambling laws in Luxembourg say about each activity.

Casino Games

Casino gambling is legal in Luxembourg and has been since 1977. However, only one casino is present in the country, the Casino 2000, which is based in Mondorf-les-Bains. The venue opened in 1983 and offers slot machines, Blackjack and Roulette tables, plus entertainment, dining and accommodation within the complex. The casino operates under licence, with the country's government reluctant to permit any further gambling venues to open.

Online casino gambling in Luxembourg is legal, but the situation differs greatly from land-based gambling. Up until 2021, there was no mention of online gambling except in relation to Luxembourg's national lottery, whose games can be played online. However, an interpretation in 2021 deemed the 1977 Gambling Law also applied to online gambling. Luxembourg does not have a licensing system, which makes it impossible for companies to obtain an operating licence.

This contravenes EU fair competition laws, which means Luxembourgers cannot be prosecuted for playing online casino slots, table games and live dealer games at foreign online casinos.

Poker

Poker gambling has been legal in Luxembourg since 1977, but the game is only allowed to be offered at Casino 2000. Weirdly, only specifically mentioned poker games are permitted: small stakes poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha, and Stud. The only exception outside the casino is games between players whose stakes do not exceed €50, which are legally allowed to run without a licence.

Online poker gambling is also legal in Luxembourg, but there are no online facilities within the country, since there is no licensing system to obtain a licence. The only way Luxembourgers can play online poker games is via foreign online casinos, for which they cannot be prosecuted under EU laws.

Bingo

Bingo gambling is legal in Luxembourg, with games coming under monopoly control of the country's lottery operator, the state-owned Loterie Nationale. Under the 2009 Lottery Law, the only other bingo games permitted are those operated by charities or non-profit organizations where the proceeds go to charity. There are no bingo halls in Luxembourg.

Online bingo gambling is also legal in Luxembourg, but again, it is controlled on a monopoly basis by Loterie Nationale. The bingo games available via the national lottery operator are classed as lottery games rather than the live draw-based games offered in other countries. Very few online bingo sites accept players from Luxembourg.

Lotteries

Lottery gambling is legal in Luxembourg under the 2009 Lottery Law. Lottery games are offered monopoly by the state-owned company Loterie Nationale, established in 1945 and the only operator permitted to hold a licence. The only exceptions are lotteries run for charity or promotional purposes. Available lottery games in the country include Euromillions, Lotto 6 of 49 and Zubito, the latter of which also operates video lottery terminals.

Online lottery gambling is legal in Luxembourg, but again, it is a monopoly, with Loterie Nationale the only licensed operator permitted to sell lottery products online via their website. Very few online lottery sites allow Luxembourgers to play online games for real money.

Social Gambling and Crypto Casinos

Interestingly, social gambling is not classed as gambling in Luxembourg as real money is not used, so this activity is legal, with no need for a licence. Similarly, lootboxes are not classed as a form of gambling in Luxembourg, even though neighbouring country Belgium disagrees. Skins gambling is not mentioned in existing gambling legislation in Luxembourg.

Regarding cryptocurrency gambling, even though the country recognizes virtual currencies like Bitcoin, Ether and Litecoin as a form of money, neither the Loterie Nationale nor Luxembourg's only casino accepts cryptocurrencies. Luxembourgers can play casino games with their coins via foreign crypto casinos.

Sportsbet laws

Luxembourg Sports Betting Laws

Sports betting is the only other form of gambling, aside from the lottery, which is legal and accessible in Luxembourg and governed under the 1987 Sports Betting Law. Just like the national lottery, sports betting is offered on a monopoly basis by Loterie Nationale, with no other companies currently allowed to hold a licence to operate a sportsbook within the country. Punters can bet on sports via their local lottery retailer or the Loterie Nationale website. Fantasy sports betting is not currently mentioned in Luxembourg's gambling regulations.

Gambling Age Restriction

Those wishing to gamble in Luxembourg must be at least 18 years old to do so legally.

Tax Regulation

Luxembourg gambling tax regulation stipulates that operators must pay varying amounts of tax based on the products offered and the circumstances under which they are offered. Sports betting and lottery game operators must pay a 15% tax on their gambling proceeds, but if they are run for or by a charity or non-profit (i.e. Loterie Nationale), there is no tax to pay. 

Operators of casino games (at present, Casino 2000) are liable to pay tax of anywhere between 10% and 80% of gambling proceeds. The good news for players in Luxembourg is gambling winnings are not taxed.

History of Gambling Laws in Luxembourg

Historically, there were many attempts to open a casino in Luxembourg as far back as 1840, with proposals rejected until 1870. Shortly after that, the first casino in the country, Casino Bourgeois, opened in 1882. In 1888, lottery games were legalized, but periods of prohibition of gambling followed, with the Loterie Nationale finally established in 1945, marking the start of the modern period of legalization.

It wasn't until 1977 that the Gambling Law was implemented, making casino gambling legal again. The 1987 Sports Betting Law was introduced to legalize sports betting via Loterie Nationale, and in 2009, the Lottery Law was enacted.

The 1977 Gambling Law was interpreted in 2021 and deemed to apply to online gambling, too, with the country's only licensed operator, Loterie Nationale, legally permitted to offer lottery games and sports betting markets.

Key facts

Key Facts

Luxembourg's gambling laws are fairly permissive, but in reality, there is no regulatory framework, leaving the country as a bit of an open market due to EU laws. Here are the key points regarding gambling in Luxembourg:

  • Land-based casino and poker gambling are legal, with the country containing just one casino venue, Casino 2000 (only specific poker games are allowed).
  • Online casino (including live casino sites) and poker gambling are legal in Luxembourg. Still, the lack of a licensing system makes obtaining a licence impossible, meaning residents are not prosecuted for playing at foreign sites.
  • Both lottery and bingo games are legal but are under monopoly control by Loterie Nationale, with only small charity activities outside of the operator permitted.
  • Sports betting is also legal and under monopoly control by Loterie Nationale.
Giuseppe Faraone

Giuseppe Faraone

Author & Online Gambling Expert

1139 Articles
Being so close to the action in iGaming, Giuseppe is on top of any new developments the minute they come through the door, as his book is testament to. Published in October 2022, his first book; The Untold Story of Online Gambling is available on Amazon.
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