Ecuador requires $500,000 in equity to operate betting
MINEDEC established the LOPD license process, featuring a five-year validity period, an annual fee equivalent to 655 basic salaries, and a 180-day compliance period.
Ecuador lists 4 gaming venues in the iGaming.bet B2B directory, across 2 cities. Cities with the highest concentration of venues: Guayaquil (2), Quito (2).
Among the most popular casinos in Ecuador are: Casino Hilton Colón Guayaquil (Guayaquil), Unicasino Unipark Hotel Guayaquil (Guayaquil), Casino Rumipamba Quito (Quito), Casino Hilton Colón Quito (Quito).
Ecuador experienced one of Latin America most radical gaming transformations when President Rafael Correa pushed for the closure of all casinos and gaming halls through a popular referendum held on May 7, 2011. The implementation of the prohibition in 2012 closed more than 50 casinos and 120 slot halls throughout Ecuador, leaving tens of thousands of sector workers unemployed. The prohibition was presented by the Correa government as a social and family protection measure, aligned with its vision of Buen Vivir (Sumak Kawsay) as an alternative development model to capitalism.
The Gaming Regulations approved in 2011 established a crucial exception: gaming establishments located in luxury hotels currently registered with the Ecuador Ministry of Tourism could continue operating. This exception allowed the main international hotel casinos in Quito and Guayaquil to remain active. Today, casinos in Ecuador operate exclusively in international-category hotels under Ministry of Tourism supervision.
In Quito, Hilton Colón Quito Casino on Amazonas Avenue in the Financial District is the highest-level casino in the capital, with 91 slot machines, 12 gaming tables and hours until 04:00, being the gaming reference for business tourism in the first city declared UNESCO World Heritage in 1978. In Guayaquil, Hilton Colón Guayaquil Casino has 107 slot machines and 9 gaming tables 5 minutes from José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport. Unicasino at Hotel Unipark facing Guayaquil Parque del Centenario, with 113 slot machines and 7 tables, has the widest hours in the country until 05:00.
MINEDEC established the LOPD license process, featuring a five-year validity period, an annual fee equivalent to 655 basic salaries, and a 180-day compliance period.
The Club del Sol gaming hall at the Sheraton Hotel in Guayaquil was closed for the second time in 2026 for non-compliance with the municipal LAFE license.
Ecuador penal reforms target match-fixing & fraud in sports. National Assembly debates new laws for integrity in professional competitions.
Ecuador AG upholds land-based, online casino ban. Gaming halls are illegal. Official Letter 16528 reaffirms gambling as an illicit activity.
Ecuador adds sports betting to its anti-money laundering system. UAFE includes sports betting companies to safeguard the financial system.
Ecuador imposes strict AML controls on sports betting. UAFE mandates operators report data to prevent money laundering & crime financing.
Ecuador sets 15% VAT guidelines for betting. Learn how this impacts online platforms and aligns with regional tax trends. Stay informed on iGaming…
Ecuador debates sports betting regulation & transparency. Experts discuss challenges for platforms amid rapid growth. Key figures weigh in on the future.
Club del Sol reopens in Guayaquil after court ruling. Charity gambling controversy continues. Get the latest on this casino's operations.
Casino Club del Sol Guayaquil closed due to lack of permits. Learn why this popular casino faced an unexpected shutdown.