Bolivia’s gambling laws have evolved from a strict ban in 1938 to legalized casinos and betting shops today. However, online gambling operates in a legal grey area, leading to a proliferation of international platforms. This lack of local oversight poses challenges for both players and operators, shaping Bolivia’s dynamic betting landscape. Let’s learn about the legality and reputation of Bolivia betting with bestsoccertips today!
Bolivia betting: Is it legal?
Bolivians have always had a passion for sports, and gambling is also a part of their daily life. However, after years of instability, all forms of gambling except for lotteries were banned in 1938. It wasn’t until 2002 that the first casino was licensed. Today, Bolivia’s gambling laws of 2010, Law No. 060, and its amendment in 2015, Law No. 717, regulate gambling in the country. Many casinos operate in major cities as well as betting shops.
However, the law only applies to traditional activities. Furthermore, no local bookmakers are licensed, and there is no proper procedure in place for online operators. The regulatory body, Autoridad de Fiscalización del Juego (AJ), oversees all procedures. There’s a heavy tax burden on land-based operators, at 30%, aimed at limiting the proliferation of gambling establishments amid concerns about money laundering activities.
Finally, there are no legal regulations regarding online gambling in Bolivia. Therefore, there are no restrictions either. Players can practically access any online bookmaker they want.
List of the top 5 reputable Bolivia sports betting sites today:
1. 22Bet
A wide range of sports, payment methods catered to the local audience, some of the best odds available, and various promotional offers make 22Bet one of the top choices for Bolivians today. The platform offers numerous sports for you to bet on, with many different markets and betting lines. Additionally, the odds are very competitive, and you can watch live streams while placing in-play bets.
The odds for popular football matches at 22Bet are on par with the market average of other bookmakers. However, for other sports, the profit margins are very attractive compared to many alternative options. Overall, 22Bet provides fairly generous odds across various markets. This is particularly relevant to less popular sports (such as ice hockey, bandy), as typically, the less common the sport, the larger the profit margins for the betting website. From our experience, the profit growth rates across different sports at 22Bet are customer-friendly.
2. 1xBet
This bookmaker offers a variety of sports for you to bet on, with many different markets and betting lines. Additionally, the odds are very competitive, and you can watch live streams while placing in-play bets. New 1xBet users are welcomed with a 100% bonus for their first deposit. There are also additional bonuses related to placing money on selected bets with high odds, insurance on losing bets, betting on losing streaks, or even accessing the website on your birthday.
The downside to these offers is that users first need to find them among many other promotions available for various locations of the provider, as they are all listed together. Browser version users have the option to filter out ads unrelated to sports, while mobile users are denied such luxuries.
3. Megapari
Megapari bookmaker has been present on the market since 2019. It is operated by Orakum NV and operates under a Curacao license. Sports betting, esports, and virtual sports are available for players. Additionally, on the Megapari website, there are other forms of gambling entertainment: roulette, slots, card games, bingo, poker, craps, and more.
Megapari is a young company but is growing rapidly. In its first year of operation, 400 thousand players became customers of the bookmaker. Megapari is actively expanding in Europe and CIS countries. The bookmaker’s website has been translated into nearly 50 languages, including Russian, Ukrainian, Latvian, Belarusian, Lithuanian, Armenian, English, Vietnamese, and others.
Before registering on the website, players are provided with a user agreement, which displays all possible dispute situations. If questions arise during the betting process, you can get answers from the 24/7 customer support service. Phone, email, and live chat are available to contact customer support.
Megapari offers various bonus programs, including programs for players who place unsuccessful batch bets. Megapari is a young company but has been considered a mature and responsible bookmaker for many years.
4. BetWinner
BetWinner bookmaker was established in 2018. It is managed by the renowned company Marikit Holdings Ltd. Although it has a short operating time, this bookmaker is very popular in the Russian market. Its website stands out for easy navigation and a bright and interesting design. The bookmaker’s operations target users not only from Russia but also from Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and other countries.
One of the main advantages of the bookmaker is its rich list of games, diverse sports, and bonus offerings. For example, each new player receives a 100% bonus on the deposit amount (this amount can be up to 5,000 rubles). There may also be bonuses for depositing money on Thursdays.
BetWinner operates under a license issued on the island of Curacao. Its major advantage is the ability to open an account in one of 100 currencies. To view the BetWinner website on smartphones and tablets, there is an app available for Android and iOS.
5. PariPesa
PariPesa, established in 2019 and initially catering only to Nigerian players licensed by the Oyo State Gaming Board, has now gained worldwide popularity. It is licensed and regulated by Curacao law under the Curacao eGaming License holder, license number 1668/JAZ.
Accepting players from numerous countries, PariPesa’s website is available in 42 languages, including English, Russian, German, Spanish, Turkish, and French. It’s suitable for recreational gamblers, accepting minimum bets of 0.50 EUR/USD and 50 RUB, with minimum deposits of 1 EUR/USD and 50 RUB. PariPesa’s mobile-friendly website also offers mobile apps.
PariPesa offers a 100% bonus up to €100 on the first deposit, activated upon registration on paripesa.com, filling in personal information fields in “My Account,” and depositing up to 100 EUR (or equivalent in other currencies).
Their online platform provides over 30 sports, including football, basketball, martial arts, and cycling. Customers can also bet on eSports, virtual sports, TV show awards, and movies. PariPesa customers can enjoy various casino games, including slot machines, lotteries, table games, and live casino options.
Accepting up to 105 currencies for betting, including USD, EUR, RUB, CAD, AUD, and JPY, PariPesa has no set limit for maximum withdrawal amounts. Deposits and withdrawals can be made through 13 payment systems, including cryptocurrencies like Visa, MasterCard, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ripple, and others.
Conclusion
Bolivia’s gambling industry reflects a complex interplay between historical regulations and contemporary challenges. While the legalization of casinos and betting shops marks progress, the absence of clear laws governing online gambling presents uncertainties. This legal ambiguity has fostered a growing online betting market, albeit with questions about regulation and player protection. As Bolivia navigates these complexities, the future of its gambling landscape remains intriguingly dynamic, shaped by ongoing regulatory developments and evolving consumer preferences.
