Frequently Asked Questions
Please note: the Sint Maarten Gambling Authority is in the process of being established, pending the adoption of the National Gambling Ordinance (Kansspelverordening). Until the ordinance enters into force, the Authority has no legal powers. The answers below reflect the current project phase and are updated as it progresses.
About this project
What is the Sint Maarten Gambling Authority?
The Sint Maarten Gambling Authority is the intended independent regulator for the gambling sector of Sint Maarten. It does not exist yet as a legal entity: it is in the process of being established. What currently exists is a government project, led by the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), that prepares its establishment.
Last updated: August 13, 2026
Does the Gambling Authority have any legal powers today?
No. Until the National Gambling Ordinance (Kansspelenverordening) is adopted and enters into force, the Gambling Authority has no legal powers of any kind: it cannot issue licenses, supervise operators, enforce rules, or handle complaints. All existing legal responsibilities of government remain exactly where they are today.
Last updated: August 13, 2026
Why is Sint Maarten establishing a gambling regulator?
For three decades, reports from auditors, advisory councils, international evaluators and government commissions have consistently pointed to the need for independent, professional oversight of the gambling sector. An overview of these reports is available on our Historical Overview page, and the background to the reform is explained on the Gambling Sector Reform page.
Last updated: September 11, 2026
Is this a Dutch or a Sint Maarten initiative?
The reform is part of the Country Package (Landspakket), a mutual arrangement between Sint Maarten and the Netherlands signed in December 2020. The preparation and implementation are carried out by Sint Maarten; the Netherlands provides project support and financing through this cooperation. The Project Governance page explains how the project is organized and steered.
Last updated: September 11, 2026
When will the Gambling Authority be operational?
The project follows a phased approach, from institutional design through organizational build-up to operational readiness. Progression to operations depends on the legislative process: no powers will be exercised before the Kansspelenverordening enters into force. The phases are described on the Project Governance page. We do not communicate target dates, because the legislative timeline is not in the project's hands.
Last updated: September 11, 2026
Who oversees this project?
The project operates under a governance structure approved by the Council of Ministers in June 2026, with a Steering Committee of the Ministers of TEATT (chair), Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), and Finance. The full structure, including the roles of the H2 Project Director, the Kwartiermaker and the interministerial Implementation Team, is described on the Project Governance page.
Last updated: September 11, 2026
How is the project financed?
Project support and financing are arranged through the Country Package cooperation. The longer-term objective is a self-sustaining model: once operational, the Gambling Authority is intended to become cost-covering, financed through fees and levies from the regulated sector rather than the general budget.
Last updated: August 13, 2026
About the legislation
What is the Kansspelenverordening?
The Kansspelenverordening (National Gambling Ordinance) is the draft national ordinance that will provide the legal basis for the regulation of games of chance in Sint Maarten and for the Gambling Authority. It is currently in preparation and has not been adopted or entered into force.
Last updated: August 13, 2026
Can I read the draft Kansspelenverordening?
The draft is a working document that changes as preparation progresses. Publication and consultation steps will be announced on this website.
Last updated: August 13, 2026
What does the draft ordinance say about [licensing, taxes, online gambling, etc.]?
We do not comment on the content of the draft while it is in preparation. The text can still change as a result of consultation and of the formal advisory and legislative process. Questions about current law and current obligations should be directed to the responsible government departments through the existing channels.
Last updated: August 13, 2026
Who decides on the ordinance?
The Kansspelenverordening follows the normal legislative process of Sint Maarten, including formal advice from the advisory bodies and decision-making by Parliament. This project prepares the draft and the organization; it does not decide on legislation.
Last updated: August 13, 2026
For the gambling sector
Can I apply for a gambling license through this website?
No. The Gambling Authority does not yet exist and this website does not process license applications of any kind. Licensing of gambling activities remains subject to the existing legal framework and the existing government processes, which are unchanged by this project.
Last updated: August 13, 2026
I currently hold a license. Does this project change anything for me?
No. This project creates no new rights or obligations for current license holders. The existing legal framework remains in force unchanged until new legislation is adopted and enters into force through the normal legislative process. Any future transition arrangements will be part of that legislative process and will be communicated through official channels.
Last updated: August 13, 2026
Will existing operators be consulted?
Yes. Structured stakeholder engagement is part of the project's governance: periodic consultation and information sessions with governmental entities, civil society organizations, subject-matter experts and representatives of the gambling sector. This engagement is consultative; it does not replace formal decision-making.
Last updated: August 13, 2026
Does the project team make decisions about individual operators?
No. The project prepares the establishment of the Gambling Authority. It has no mandate regarding individual operators, licenses, disputes or enforcement, and it does not intervene in matters that fall under existing government responsibilities.
Last updated: August 13, 2026
For players and the public
Can I file a complaint about a casino or lottery through this website?
No. The Gambling Authority is in the process of being established and cannot handle individual complaints — not about operators, payouts, winnings, or any other matter.
Last updated: August 13, 2026
What can this website do for me as a player?
The For Players section offers a free, anonymous gambling self-check, practical guidance on safe play, and contact details of organizations on Sint Maarten that provide confidential help with problem gambling — for players and for the people around them.
Last updated: August 13, 2026
Where can I see which casinos and lotteries exist on Sint Maarten?
The Casino Guide provides a factual overview of casinos and lottery operators on Sint Maarten. It is informational: it is not a license register and has no legal status.
Last updated: August 13, 2026
Is gambling legal in Sint Maarten?
Gambling is a legal, licensed economic activity in Sint Maarten under the existing legal framework. Questions about the current rules should be directed to the responsible government departments through the existing channels.
Last updated: August 13, 2026
About this website
Who runs this website?
This website is maintained by the project team preparing the establishment of the Sint Maarten Gambling Authority, under the Ministry of TEATT. It is an information channel for the project and, in due course, for the future regulator.
Last updated: August 13, 2026
Why is the website already online if the Authority does not exist yet?
Transparency is a core principle of the reform. The website documents publicly what the project is, how it is governed, and what it is preparing — and it clearly marks, on every page, that the Authority is in formation. It also already offers services that require no legal mandate, such as player information and referral to help organizations.
Last updated: August 13, 2026
Does this website track my visit or my use of the self-check?
No. The website uses no analytics or tracking. The gambling self-check on the For Players page runs entirely in your own browser: answers are not stored, not transmitted, and not shared with anyone.
Last updated: August 13, 2026
How do I contact the project team?
Through the Contact page. Please note that the team cannot answer questions that fall under existing government responsibilities (such as current licensing matters) and cannot handle complaints about operators.
Last updated: September 11, 2026