Haiti Establishes ANJHA to Regulate Gambling and Centralise Tax Payments
Haiti – 11 November 2026 – www.zonadeazar.com The Government of Haiti has announced the establishment of the Autorité Nationale des Jeux de Hasard et d’Argent (ANJHA), a new national authority responsible for regulating, monitoring and supervising gambling and betting activities throughout the country.
The reform also requires operators to make all payments related to licences, authorisations, taxes and fees exclusively through the Direction Générale des Impôts (DGI), Haiti’s tax administration.
The initiative aims to strengthen industry transparency, combat money laundering and illicit financial flows, and establish a more structured supervisory framework for gambling businesses.
New National Gambling Regulator
Haiti’s Ministry of Economy and Finance formally announced the establishment of ANJHA through a public notice issued on 5 October 2026.
The new authority will oversee different forms of gambling activity across the country, including casinos, betting establishments and borlette outlets, which operate Haiti’s traditional lottery-style games.
Its headquarters will be located in Port-au-Prince, although the legislation allows additional offices to be established elsewhere.
The creation of ANJHA represents an institutional restructuring designed to centralise regulatory oversight of the gambling market.
Three Decrees Establish the Legal Framework
The reform is based on three decrees published on 21 August 2026 in Le Moniteur, Haiti’s official journal.
The decrees establish the main components of the new regulatory structure:
- Creation of ANJHA: establishing the national authority responsible for gambling oversight.
- Operating regulations: defining requirements and obligations for authorised operators.
- Dedicated taxation framework: introducing fiscal provisions governing the gambling industry’s financial contributions.
The proposals had previously been presented during a Council of Ministers meeting on 11 August.
The publication of the decrees enabled the Government to proceed with a more specialised regulatory framework for the sector.
ANJHA to Oversee Casinos, Betting and Lotteries
The new regulator’s principal responsibilities include supervising commercial activities and verifying compliance with legal requirements.
Its functions will cover:
- Supervision of casinos and betting establishments.
- Oversight of lottery operators and borlette outlets.
- Administration and verification of authorisations.
- Publication of a list of licensed operators.
- Promotion of responsible gambling policies.
- Protection of players and minors.
- Enforcement action against regulatory breaches.
These responsibilities aim to establish consistent standards across Haiti’s different gambling activities.
DGI Becomes Sole Authority for Gambling Payments
One of the most significant changes introduced by the reform is the centralisation of gambling industry payments through the Direction Générale des Impôts.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance confirmed that the DGI will be the only administration authorised to collect payments associated with operators’ fiscal and administrative obligations.
These include:
- Licence fees and related charges.
- Operating authorisation payments.
- Gambling-specific taxes.
- Contributions and other statutory obligations.
All payments must be made through official DGI channels and supported by the appropriate receipts.
The Government has instructed gambling businesses to avoid making payments through unauthorised channels.
Combating Money Laundering and Illicit Financing
The reform also addresses concerns regarding financial crime prevention.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance explained that the new measures form part of the Government’s efforts to combat money laundering, illicit financial networks and terrorist financing.
Centralising payments is intended to improve the traceability of collected funds and reduce risks associated with transactions conducted through unauthorised channels.
Meanwhile, ANJHA’s supervisory responsibilities will aim to strengthen operators’ compliance systems and ensure greater transparency across the sector.
Player Protection and Underage Gambling
The decrees also introduce provisions intended to strengthen consumer protection.
Their objectives include establishing operating obligations, preventing underage gambling and promoting responsible gambling practices.
ANJHA will also be responsible for developing awareness initiatives and verifying that companies comply with the applicable requirements.
The new framework includes penalties for regulatory breaches, with enforcement subject to the relevant circumstances and procedures.
These measures aim to improve safeguards for users of casinos, lotteries and betting platforms.
Greater Transparency in Gambling Licensing
The publication of an official list of authorised operators represents another important responsibility of ANJHA.
The register will help identify companies holding the necessary permissions to conduct gambling activities in Haiti.
Public access to licensing information could also support regulatory oversight and provide greater clarity for consumers.
For operators, the new framework introduces obligations to comply with the authorisation procedures and administrative requirements established under the decrees.
Reform Process Began in August
ANJHA’s creation forms part of a restructuring process that began in August 2026.
On 11 August, the Council of Ministers considered proposals to establish a specialised regulatory authority and a dedicated taxation framework for gambling.
The decrees were subsequently published on 21 August, providing the legal foundation for the new structure.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance formally communicated the changes through its public notice of 5 October.
The reform therefore establishes a distinction between ANJHA’s regulatory responsibilities and the DGI’s tax collection functions.
Industry Impact and Next Steps
The establishment of ANJHA represents a significant change for Haiti’s gambling industry.
A dedicated regulator will allow supervisory responsibilities to be centralised, consistent operating obligations to be introduced and access to information about authorised operators to be improved.
Meanwhile, centralising payments through the DGI aims to strengthen oversight of tax revenue and reduce the risk of administrative irregularities.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance confirmed that it will continue informing operators and the public about the implementation of the new provisions.
The reform aims to establish a more organised and transparent gambling market, supported by regulatory safeguards designed to protect consumers and combat illicit financial activities.
Editó: @fonta
