El Salvador plans to transfer casino licensing authority to LNB

In El Salvador, the National Lottery (LNB) is seeking broader authority over the regulation of land-based casinos and gaming halls. The institution's president, Javier Milián, announced that this change will be carried out through a law reform to begin in 2027.

Under the current Organic Law, LNB regulates lotteries, instant win games, online casinos and sports betting. Land-based casinos and gaming halls, however, still operate under permits issued by municipal councils. Milián argues that this structure should change and wants the entire sector brought together under a single legal framework.

The institution's reasoning is to offer market participants stronger guarantees. LNB also projects that sports betting and online casino activities will grow between 70 and 80 percent in 2026. To support this growth, Milián is calling on the government to stand behind the institution.

LNB was founded in 1870 as a state-owned lottery to support social and welfare projects. With the new Organic Law adopted in 2021, the lottery became the supervisory authority for lotteries, sports betting and online gambling.