Alright, let’s dive into the world of gambling in Ecuador! We’re gonna chat about the rise and fall of gaming in this country, touch on some legal stuff, and I’ll clue you in on how we pick top-notch online casinos. Plus, I’ll spill the beans on our top picks for the best online casinos in Ecuador. We’ll also dish on casino bonuses and which payment systems are the hottest right now. And we can’t forget about sports betting, lotteries, and classics like poker.
Given the almost total crackdown on gambling in Ecuador, the only option for thrill-seekers is offshore online casinos.
These bad boys aren’t touched by local laws, so they can roll the dice (so to speak) in Ecuador. And, playing in them? Totally legit. But, you gotta be able to spot the diamonds from the rough. To help you out, check out our guide on picking the best online casinos. But, enough chit-chat, here’s our list of the crème de la crème of Ecuador’s online casinos:
Now, a little history lesson for ya: gambling in Ecuador got the green light in the 1960s. Since then, it’s been all systems go, with around 25 casinos popping up all over. But, plot twist: 2011 rolls around, and the then-president Rafael Correa drops the Executive Decree No. 873. He got the government on board to give all forms of gambling the boot, except for the national lottery.
Fast forward to May 2011, there’s a referendum asking peeps if they’re down with banning all gambling joints like casinos and slot halls. After getting a thumbs up from the masses, the law kicked in, and by March 16, 2012, casinos, bingo halls, slot joints – all shut down. The reason? Rumors had it that some shady figures were pulling the strings and using casinos for money laundering. This isn’t just an Ecuador problem, by the way. Lots of Latin American countries, like Colombia, face the same issue. But Colombia decided to take over the gambling scene instead of banning it.
It wasn’t just casino games getting the axe. Sports betting got flagged as illegal too, leading to a ton of local bookies, including ones taking bets on some… let’s say, controversial sports (like cockfighting and bullfighting), closing shop. The one silver lining? Online gambling. Since most of Ecuador’s online casinos and betting shops operate outside the country, they kept their doors open to local players. And the government? They’ve been turning a blind eye.
Since 2011, Ecuador’s put the kibosh on pretty much all types of gambling. The only thing they’re cool with? State lotteries. But there’s a silver lining for online gamblers: offshore casinos ain’t under Ecuador’s thumb. That means they keep serving up games to the locals. Bottom line? You can totally hit up foreign online casinos or place bets with offshore bookies without breaking a sweat.
Let’s shoot the breeze about how to pick out a legit online casino in Ecuador. First things first: scope out their license and make sure it’s up-to-date. Check out what other players are saying about them, too. Next up, see what kinda perks they offer and if their payment options are on point. Last but not least, their customer service game has gotta be strong and their website better work like a charm on mobile. Let’s dive a bit deeper into this, shall we?
The golden ticket for safe gaming is a legit license. Since Ecuadorians can only hop onto international sites, keep your eyes peeled for top-tier regulators like Curacao and MGA. These big dogs oversee most of the online casinos worldwide.
Reviews are key. Not only can they tell you how lit a casino is, but they also show you how the casino treats its players. You can find solid reviews and feedback on sites like estafa.info and www.casino.org/ec, which have the 411 in Spanish.
Before you dive in, check out the casino’s promo game. The best joints roll out the red carpet with welcome bonuses and keep the party going with regular deals. Look out for races, tournaments, and a fancy VIP system to keep things spicy.
A wide range of payment methods is clutch. A solid casino lets you throw down with both traditional banking and other slick options. Think e-wallets, prepaid cards, e-commerce services, and even crypto.
Customer service isn’t just about answering your burning questions – they’re there to bail you out when things go south. Ecuador’s top online casinos have support that’s on the ball 24/7. And they’d better be fluent in both English and Spanish. ‘Cause let’s keep it real: you want smooth talkin’ when there’s money on the line.
If you’re all about gaming on the go, make sure the casino’s mobile game is tight. And I’m not just talking about browsing – the gaming section and money moves should be slick on your phone, too.
In this section, we’re gonna dive deep into the main types of bonuses you’ll find at online casinos. First things first: the welcome bonus. Most solid casinos offer a whole package deal to get you started. Next up, there’s the ongoing bonus program, packed with both deposit-match and no-deposit goodies. And lastly, most online joints host races and tournaments, giving you a chance to spice up your gaming collection and snag some extra rewards.
Right off the bat, once you register, you’ll get your hands on the welcome bonus. This little gem can boost your deposit even before you start playing and often comes with a bunch of free spins to boot. The crème de la crème of Ecuadorian online casinos will offer a full-on welcome package, dishing out bonuses on your first few deposits.
Once you’ve burned through your welcome package, don’t sweat it – there’s more where that came from. Depending on the casino, the bonus types might vary. But generally, you’re looking at cashback offers, reload bonuses, special promos, jackpots, and more. For instance, at Vbet Casino, regular players can look forward to:
Jumping into races and tournaments is a killer way to try out games from fresh developers and rake in some bonus winnings. Any registered user can throw their hat in the ring. All you gotta do is play the listed games and stack up tournament points. Finish high up the ranks, and you’ll bag bigger prizes.
While land-based sports betting is off-limits in Ecuador, you can still hit up offshore bookies. These bad boys cater to Ecuadorian punters, giving them access to both local and international sporting events. Some of the big dogs in Ecuador’s online betting scene include Betcris, MelBet, Vbet, Parimatch, bet365, and heaps more. Speaking of which, sports themselves are kinda a big deal here. We’ve whipped up a quick ranking to show you the hottest sports in Ecuador.
When it comes to cash flow in Ecuador, the usual international payment suspects are in play. Most online casinos let you load up your account straight from your bank card or account. But there are other slick ways to handle your moolah too. Let’s talk shop about the top payment methods.
The big-league banks in Ecuador, like Banco Pichincha or Banco de Guayaquil, are all about handing out Visa/MasterCard credit and debit cards to their peeps. Beyond the usual shopping, these cards are also your ticket to funding your online casino accounts. It’s a breezy and favored method with plenty of perks. But there’s a flip side: slower cash-outs and the need to share your bank deets.
Now here’s a nifty service. EcoPayz lets you roll with your bank account but ditches the usual transaction drag. You can use it as your middleman for payments, or grab a virtual/plastic card, which is as good as any regular bank card for payments.
Are another slick alternative to direct bank deposits. Anyone looking to hop on can set up an account. Once you’ve got it rolling, you can top it up any way you like and then zip your money around the globe. The fees are peanuts and it’s pretty much instant. Big names in the e-wallet game include Skrill, Neteller, and a bunch of others.
Is a major global player that hooks you up with prepaid cards. With these bad boys, you can keep tabs on your spending and top up your online casino or bookie’s account in a jiffy, all while keeping your deets on the down-low.
These days, crypto is getting hotter by the minute. It’s all about the ease of getting your hands on it and those lightning-fast transaction speeds. And guess what? More online casinos and bookies are jumping on the crypto bandwagon.
NOTIFY
Like most places, Ecuador’s central bank doesn’t give the nod to crypto as legit payment. But the big wigs and the central bank keep saying they won’t throw shade on the crypto scene in their backyard. Buying or selling crypto? All above board and on the level according to the local law.
Gamers from Ecuador are all about that crisp graphics and the big win potential. The big gun providers that deliver top-shelf stuff get mad props. And let’s not forget those slots that have a Latin American vibe. We’ve whipped up a shortlist of the hottest providers in Ecuador.
A killer Swedish outfit that’s been pumping out games for over two decades. Their stash? Hundreds of games, with a big chunk being online slots. Talking about their slots, jackpot mechanics like Divine Fortune are straight fire – they’ve got wicked gameplay and some seriously fat payouts.
These dudes focus on high-voltage slots. Some of their games have multipliers that go through the roof, hitting a wild x300,000, which is off the charts in the biz. Perfect for those high-rollers who like to go ‘All-in’.
With brick and mortar casinos shutting their doors, these guys just shot up to the top of the popularity charts. Why? They probably whip up the best live dealer games in town. We’re talking classic table and card games, and some killer twists on them too. And don’t even get me started on game shows like ‘Deal or No Deal’ and ‘C r a z y Time’. Straight-up game changers.
This crew is known for their game mechanics. A big chunk of their arsenal is all about that random fixed jackpot that can drop anytime you spin. Not only does that spice things up a notch, but it also means you could score some serious green.
A kind of out-there developer that’s all about that Norse mythology vibe. Their slots are a combo of dope graphics and a smooth user experience, blended with some wicked thematic twists. Every player’s dream come true.
Bummer, but as of now, there ain’t a single land-based casino or gaming joint open in Ecuador. Blame it on the 2011 law that pretty much shut down all land-based gambling activities.
Before 2011? Ecuador had like 135 different gambling spots, some of which were big-time casinos or bingo halls. Looking forward, don’t hold your breath for any game-changing moves in the gambling scene anytime soon. Ecuadorians just gotta stick to online casinos or hit the road to neighboring countries where the action is still on.
The only real gambling deal that’s still legit in Ecuador is the national lottery. Run by the big dogs at Guayaquil Junta de Beneficencia, which is also a charity outfit handling some of the government gigs in Ecuador. A slice of the pie from the lottery dough goes to various charitable and social causes. Let’s dive into some of the hottest lotteries in Ecuador.
Lotto – The big kahuna of lotteries in Ecuador. Drawings go down three times a week: Tuesdays, Thursdays (at 6 PM local) and Saturdays (noon local). Grab a ticket for a buck on Tues/Thurs, or drop two bucks for the Saturday draw.
You can snag your ticket at physical spots or go digital and buy online. Once you’re in, you get a random number ranging from 000000 to 999999. With the format, there’s a cap of 1,000,000 tickets, so better hustle to get yours. After you bag your main ticket, you can also throw down for the Lotto Plus and Lottito lotteries, a buck each. Jackpot deets:
When it comes to your odds of hitting the jackpot, they’re a long shot at 1 in a million. But don’t sweat it; apart from the big prize, there are 13 other prize categories where you could land some cash. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, they’re throwing an extra $200,000 into the mix, and on Saturdays, a sweet $300,000. So, you don’t have to snag the “golden ticket” to cash in; loads of other tickets could still make your day.
Loteria Nacional is Ecuador’s granddaddy of lotteries, running the game since 1894. It’s pretty similar to the Lotto, but with a couple of twists. Tickets will set you back $10 for Monday and Friday draws and $20 for the Wednesday game. These draws kick off at 6 PM local time. Whether you grab a ticket in-store or online, you’ll get a random number between 00000 and 99999. With only 100,000 tickets up for grabs, you gotta move fast. The jackpot for Loteria Nacional is set in stone:
Given there are ten times fewer tickets than in the Lotto, your odds for striking gold are a lot better, sitting pretty at 1 in 100,000. Apart from the jackpot, you can also gun for one of the 13 prize categories, with winnings up to $200,000 on Mondays and Fridays, and up to $300,000 on Wednesdays.
Another big hit among the locals is poker. But after the 2011 ban, playing offline poker became a no-go. However, if you’re looking to shuffle up online, foreign poker rooms are still fair game. Some of the big players welcoming Ecuadorians are 888poker, bet365 Poker, Unibet Poker, among others.
Since Ecuador doesn’t have a local gaming commission, there’s always that question of trust when diving into online casinos. But chill, if you’re rolling with a big, licensed online joint, you’re in good hands. These places usually operate under big-shot international commissions like MGA / Curacao, meaning they’ve gotta play by the rules. And these watchdogs keep a tight leash on their operators to ensure players get a fair shake.
So, if you ever find yourself in a jam where a casino tries to pull a fast one, you can hit up the regulating body via email and demand they sort it out. In a few weeks, they’ll get back to you with a solution.
To wrap things up, after the 2011 law, pretty much all forms of gambling in Ecuador hit a brick wall. It wasn’t just a bummer for the players, but also a tough break for those working in the industry. Still, there’s a silver lining: offshore online casinos and betting shops are still game, with no rules or bans holding you back.
Formally, the activity of local online casinos in Ecuador is prohibited. But the activities of offshore companies are not regulated. There is no ban on playing in foreign online casinos, so Ecuadorians can safely use the services of foreign operators, without fear of problems with the law.
Until 2011, there were about 135 land-based casinos in Ecuador. But with the introduction of a ban on gambling activities, they were closed. Therefore, at the moment there are no legal land-based casinos in Ecuador.
As with online casinos, sports betting is only available at foreign bookmakers that operate from offshore jurisdictions.
Land-based poker is banned in any format. Online poker is legal, provided it is played in foreign poker rooms.
The only legal form of gambling in Ecuador remains lotteries run by state-owned companies. It is worth noting that they are available only to the local population, and do not accept players from abroad.
24.01.2022 | Date updated: 17 July 2024
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