Online casinos operate in an unregulated environment in Samoa, where land-based gambling has been legal and regulated since the establishment of the Casino and Gambling Control Act 2010, but online gambling activities remain without specific legislative framework. Samoa's Gambling Control Authority was established to regulate all gambling activities in Samoa and reduce any adverse social impacts of gambling (1). While the Authority successfully oversees land-based casino operations, lotteries, and other traditional forms of gambling, online casino gaming exists in a regulatory gap without dedicated licensing or oversight mechanisms.
The Gambling Control Authority operates under clear governmental objectives to license casinos, manage their operations, and bring all gambling and gaming activities under centralized control for enhanced monitoring of the gambling sector. The Authority was established by the Government with specific purposes including ensuring that casino management remains free from criminal influence, conducting gaming honestly and responsibly, and applying gambling revenue to community purposes (2). However, these regulatory frameworks have primarily focused on land-based establishments, with online gambling legislation remaining underdeveloped despite the Casino and Gambling Control Amendment Act 2015 attempting to address interactive gambling regulation.
"The objective of setting up the Gambling Control Authority by the Government is to license casinos, manage their operation and bring under the control of one Authority all gambling."
Currently, Samoan residents and visitors can access offshore online casinos that accept players from the jurisdiction, though these operate without local regulatory oversight or consumer protections provided by Samoan law. The Gambling Control Authority's mission includes containing and controlling the potential of all forms of licensed gambling to cause harm to minors, vulnerable persons, and society at large, but this mandate does not extend to online gambling operations (2). While land-based casino access is restricted to foreign passport holders staying at casino resorts, online gambling remains in a legal gray area where international operators provide services without local licensing requirements. The absence of comprehensive online gambling legislation means players must rely on offshore regulatory frameworks and exercise caution when selecting online casino operators.
Source:
https://gca.gov.ws/
https://www.mpe.gov.ws/links/public-bodies/beneficial/gambling-control-authority/
Last updated: 20-07-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
