East Timor: a New Centre of iGaming in Asia

This is a promising direction for launching entertainment projects focused on the international landscape. The country is actively developing its regulatory framework and digital infrastructure, attracting operators and investors from all over the world.

Rosloto experts talk about the features and benefits of working in East Timor.

Current State of Affairs in the Market

The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste is a small state in Southeast Asia. It occupies the eastern part of Timor Island (hence the unofficial name) and several coastal areas.

The capital of the country is the city of Dili.

East Timor is a multicultural region with a mixture of Portuguese, Malay, and Australian influences. Its population (about 1.3 million people) fluently speaks Portuguese, English, and Indonesian.

The main sources of income are hydrocarbon production, agriculture, and tourism.

In recent years, the jurisdiction has been actively diversifying its economy, focusing on:

• digital technologies;
• financial services;
• digital gambling.

Legal Framework

The basis for gambling regulation in East Timor is the Decree-Law No. 6/2009. In 2024–2025, it was supplemented by new acts regulating the online casino vertical.

For example, in 2024, the Timor-Leste Virtual Gaming Association (VGA) developed recommendations for licensing and managing projects that appear in the industry based on the best practices of Malta and the Isle of Man.

Decree Law No. 6/2009 permits various forms of entertainment for money, including:

• lotteries and bingo;
• online casinos (slots, cards, roulette, and live dealer solutions);
• sports betting and cyber tournaments;
• sweepstakes;
• cockfighting;
• poker;
• games of skill.

The law emphasises the importance of the fair and transparent placement of bids and defines the key principles of an adequate attitude toward betting. Special attention is paid to the shady business and methods of combating it.

Licensing and Regulation

East Timor issues 3 types of certificates:

1. B2C (Business-to-Consumer) document. It is intended for operators who offer casino services directly to their clients.
2. B2B (Business-to-Business) permit. It can be obtained by suppliers of software, platforms, and other services for the B2C segment.
3. Aggregator licence. Such a certificate is granted to brands that combine several providers of iGaming content on one platform.

All documents are issued within the framework of the Oecusse Special Administrative District. This is a free economic zone with a developed digital infrastructure and a minimal fiscal burden on business.

Control over licensed market participants is entrusted to the Inspectorate-General of Gambling (IGJ).

The authority’s powers include:

• acceptance of applications and licensure;
• monitoring the entrepreneurs’ activity;
• verification of responsible gaming mechanisms;
• cooperation with independent laboratories (GLI and BMM TestLab);
• fight against money laundering (AML/CFT);
• revocation of certificates, if necessary.

In April 2025, Timor-Leste issued the first permit for a representative of the iGaming vertical. The document was received by Golden River Universe (GRU), a company that is part of the GD Lotto holding.

How to Obtain a Casino Licence

Let us consider the key stages of this process:

1. Application filing. Registration of a legal entity is possible both in East Timor and its designated economic zone of Oecusse. Along with the electronic application, it is necessary to submit a business plan and constituent documents.
2. Compliance checking. The IGJ regulator conducts a technical audit of the platform, analyses funding sources, and verifies eligibility regarding the principles of an adequate attitude toward the placement of bets.
3. Obtaining a licence. The time for consideration of an application is from 1 to 3 months after the submission of documents. The certificate is issued for 5 years and can be extended.

The registration fee is $25,000. Another $15,000 must be paid for the annual permit renewal.

International Orientation and Investments

President José Ramos-Horta noted:

Online gambling in this country will be aimed only at foreign players. It will help us to avoid negative social consequences for the local population.

The head of the state expects the entertainment industry to open up the following new opportunities for the Asian island:

• employment creation;
• development of the technology ecosystem;
• attraction of investments;
• increase in budget revenues.

For example, Softswiss and Vittoria Services signed agreements to establish customer service centres in the city of Dili. This will create new jobs and improve the skills of local specialists.

Asia-Pacific Strategic Investments Ltd (APS) plans to build the first land-based casino resort in the country. The financial outlay is $60 million, which will also contribute to the development of tourism and the economy in the jurisdiction.

The government does not limit external marketing. Operators can attract clients from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and other regions.

Features and Benefits of Launching an iGaming Startup

Let us consider why East Timor is becoming an attractive destination for those who want to open a casino business.

Loyal Regulatory Environment

The update of the legal framework in 2024–2025 created clear rules of work (the emphasis is placed on the best practices of Malta, Curacao, and the Isle of Man).

Entrepreneurs can obtain a comprehensive licence for several types of activities at once. These are casinos, sports betting, poker, etc. This approach is convenient and cost-effective, which is important when launching a startup.

Regulation of the entertainment sector in East Timor is adapted to accelerated market entry with minimal bureaucratic procedures, as well as simple and clear requirements.

Tax and Financial Benefits

Economic advantages of launching a digital casino in the country:

• GGR tax is 5%, which is lower than in most other states;
• no levy on non-residents’ income;
• additional financial incentives for iGaming brands operating through the Oecusse zone;
• free foreign exchange transactions and the use of the US dollar as the official currency.

Project owners can conduct international settlements without unnecessary complications and risks. The minimal fiscal burden allows brands to save most of their profit and redirect it to strategic business development.

Flexible Terms for Tech Partners

Features of launching online gambling startups in East Timor:

• fast and seamless integration of platforms from B2B suppliers;
• permission to work with any certified RNG and engines (GLI, BMM TestLab, iTech Labs, and others);
• simplified registration of third-party services (processing, CRM, anti-fraud tools, and AI systems);
• grants and subsidies related to the creation of data centres, the formation of IT teams, as well as organisation of conferences and events for the entertainment sector.

Thus, East Timor provides powerful technological support for business development. This jurisdiction is suitable for modern projects based on artificial intelligence and advanced analytics.

The Main Things about the Spread of Gambling in Timor-Leste

The country strives to become a new centre of the Asian casino industry.

Key aspects that should be taken into account:

• The region offers transparent regulation, modern certificates, and a favourable business climate. Thanks to the support of the government and international investors, the state has every chance to take a worthy place in the global iGaming sector.
• Entrepreneurs can obtain a comprehensive licence for several types of entertainment services. The document is issued for 5 years and gives the right to attract foreign players.

The Rosloto studio can help you launch a casino in a popular jurisdiction. We have vast experience working in Malta, Curacao, Romania, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and other countries.