10 Top-Rated Live Casinos in Andorra

History of Gambling in Andorra

By European standards, Andorra traditionally took a very conservative approach to gambling. Before the mid-90s, no casinos or related businesses were permitted to operate in the tiny Pyrenean principality.

This changed in 1996 when games of bingo were made legal in the country for the very first time. At this point, online casinos also began to grow in popularity with the arrival of broadband internet connections making it far easier for locals to play live casino games.

Until 2012, this was the only type of gambling game that was permitted. At that point, the government began a review of the country’s gambling laws which helped to create the situation that the country finds itself in today.

Gambling Nowadays in Andorra

Although gambling at physical casinos is now legal in Andorra, bingo remains the only type of game that it is currently possible to play in the country.

This has made live online casinos, which can offer a large variety of popular casino games very popular. The first application for a physical casino in Andorra is currently making its way through the court system after being turned down by the government.

Should this succeed, it should be possible to play physical casino games in Andorra in the relatively near future. In the meantime, there are plenty of online live casino options

Lotteries are also legal in the country and this is another form of a game that is very popular (although none of them come close to the scale of Spain’s famous ONCE lottery).

Gambling tax is relatively low by international standards but it is not tax-free online or in-person. Taxes are reduced even further on lotteries and other gambling events that exist specifically to raise money for charities and other worthy causes.

Future of Online Casino in Andorra

The slow pace at which the Andorran government has processed casino license applications and its apparent reluctance to grant them shows that there are two possible paths for the future of casino and online gaming in Andorra.

This may change if the first bricks-and-mortar casino is a success and helps to boost the Andorran economy, 80% of which currently relies on tourism.

Andorra is already a very popular skiing destination but this means that its tourist economy is highly seasonal and there is limited demand from visitors in summer. Casinos could help to change this and make sure that there is demand for trips to Andorra all year round.

Popular Live Casino Games in Andorra

Some casino titles seem to be more popular among Andorran punters. Naturally, punters have different reasons for their preferences for live games, but a few reasons seem to be common to most punters. First, most Andorran punters opt for games that are easy to play and entertaining.

Most live casino games became popular in Andorra due to cultural influence from Spanish and French immigrants, who form the highest percentage of the population. It is thus not surprising that the most popular live casino titles in Andorra are the same ones that are popular in France and Spain, a few of which are highlighted below.

Roulette

Live roulette is a simple yet thrilling game that involves using a roulette wheel and a small ball. The live dealer throws the ball into a spinning roulette wheel. The slot in the roulette wheel where the ball will stop determines the winning numbers or colors. The game is particularly popular for its transparency, as it is difficult to manipulate the results.

Blackjack

Live blackjack is arguably the most popular live casino card game in Andorra. The game is simple and fast-paced, allowing punters to bet multiple times within a short time. It involves a live croupier who deals cards to the players and the banker, with the punters' main objective being to score closer to 21 than the banker. The game is played solely against the banker, usually the dealer, and never against other players.

Poker

Live poker is popular among elite or experienced Andorran players. It is more complex than other popular live games and requires advanced skills and strategies. Professional punters prefer live poker as it allows them to employ their skills and strategy without overly focusing on luck.

Are Casinos Legal in Andorra?

Andorran law was changed in 2012 to make the operation of physical casinos legal in the country, putting them on the same footing as live online casinos.

However, all casinos operating in Andorra must be authorized to do so by the government and it has been slow to review and approve license applications. In 2020, Jocs S.A. had its application to open a casino in the country turned down by the government.

After a fairly lengthy appeals process, this was overturned in the courts and Jocs S.A. now plans to open the first legal in-person casino in Andorra in 2022.

Best Bonuses in Andorra

One thing that casino operators use to attract Andorran punters is attractive bonuses and playing incentives. Live casinos in the country offer different bonus types and amounts. That typically depends on the target audience, games offered, and the financial capacity of the casino operators, among other factors. The bonuses are usually offered in various forms as per what works best for the live casino provider.

It is worth noting that bonuses typically have several conditions and wagering requirements. In most cases, punters can utilize the rewards freely. However, they must fulfill all the wagering requirements and terms to withdraw any winnings resulting from the bonuses.

Popular Live Casino Bonuses

Nearly all live casino providers that accept Andorran punters offer several types of top casino bonuses. Here are some of the top bonus types in the country.

Welcome Bonuses

Live dealer casinos usually employ welcome bonuses to attract new punters. Welcome bonuses can also entice punters looking to switch from one casino to another. Most live casino providers usually base the bonus amount they offer on the first deposit the player makes. However, a few have fixed amounts of welcome bonuses offered to all new punters.

Reload Bonuses

Reload bonuses are almost similar to the welcome bonuses, except they are offered to existing players when they fund their accounts. That can be on the second reload, every month, or any other criteria that the operator employs.

Cashback Bonuses

Cashback bonuses are usually offered as a 'small' percentage of the wagers that players lose as a sign of goodwill from the casino operators. The cashback typically ranges from 5% to 20%, but mostly with a cap on the amount that players can get back.

How to Claim the Bonuses

Most casino providers usually require punters to provide a bonus code to activate the bonuses. In addition, bonuses are automatically credited to the punters' accounts in some cases.

Other Live Casino Bonuses

• Loyalty bonuses
• Preferred deposit bonuses
• No deposit bonuses
• VIP bonuses

Live Casino Payment Methods in Andorra

Andorran punters have a wide variety of options that they can use to deposit funds into their live casino gaming accounts, with some supporting withdrawals. However, each payment method has its unique set of pros and cons. As a result, punters have to consider several things to determine the most suitable options. Some of the considerations are highlighted below.

Processing Speed

Processing speed is an essential factor to consider when selecting a casino payment method. It determines how soon a player can join a live casino table and start playing after depositing funds. Most of the popular options support instant payment processing.

Security

Security is always a weighty consideration whenever transactions involving monetary value take place. As a result, most Andorran punters typically limit their options to secure payment methods that ensure computer hackers will not intercept their money or banking information.

Transaction Limits

Most payment methods have transaction limits. Punters thus choose the methods that offer suitable limits to them. For example, high rollers typically opt for payment options with a high maximum transaction limit.

Andorran Local Payment Methods

As mentioned earlier, there are no live casinos based in Andorra. As such, Andorran punters play in offshore live casinos. They are thus limited to the payment methods offered by the offshore casinos, which are typically the popular international payment methods. The currency used in Andorra is Euro, which is popular and accepted by most international live casinos.

Popular Payment Methods in Andorra

Credit Cards

Most Andorran punters prefer using credit cards to make deposits to live casinos. Card payments are among the most popular payment methods in live casinos in Andorra for the simple fact that they are easy to use, readily available, and attract preferred deposit bonuses in live casinos.

Digital Wallets

Digital wallets are the second most preferred alternative of payment methods. Digital wallets are popular because they allow instant deposits, do not charge any fees on deposits and are acceptable in nearly all live casinos. They also support withdrawals.

Playing with Real Money in Andorra

Live casinos are known for their vast entertainment. That attracts numerous players, some of whom have no intention of winning but desire to enjoy the thrill and joy of playing live casino games. A few live casinos offer free live titles, which can accommodate players with no intentions of putting their money at stake. However, most Andorran players enjoy playing with real money.

Playing with real money means the punters must deposit real money into their respective casino accounts. Punters must then place wagers using the funds, which they risk losing if the bet does not go their way.

Benefits of Playing with Real Money

Andorran punters who play with real money enjoy numerous benefits, despite the risk of losing their hard-earned cash. Most of the benefits apply irrespective of the live games offered. A few examples of the benefits are highlighted below.

Possibility of Winning Real Money

The most apparent benefit, and probably why most punters play real-money live games, is that they stand a chance of winning real money. In addition, some casino games and bets have attractive wager-to-payout ratios, which increases a player's chances of winning.

Access to Premium Features

Playing with real money allows punters to access all the live casino features, most of which can significantly enhance the gaming experience. Players also get access to the casino's variety of games, allowing them to try new games or play their preferred games.

Free Bonuses

Another perk of playing with real money is that the punters get free bonuses and other incentives. The bonuses provide punters with a possibility to make extra money and the opportunity to try new live games without risking their money.

Enhanced Game Thrill

Playing with real money makes the live games more exciting and thrilling. Punters experience more adrenaline rush at the possibility of losing or winning real cash.

Laws and Restrictions in Andorra

The legal situation regarding the legality of gambling in Andorra is rather interesting. The state has already passed laws that make several forms of gambling legal, including live gambling but is yet to implement the laws. The relevant gambling legislation is Gambling Law/2021, which was an amendment to the Gambling Law 37/2014.

The prolonged transition period is primarily because of the uncertainty regarding the particular games that should be allowed, the number of licenses to be granted, and a few other issues. In addition, there has been no communication from the Andorran government regarding the timelines and modalities of implementing live gambling laws. However, there has not been too much opposition on the issue recently, indicating that it might be soon.

Regulatory Authority

Despite Andorra being in a transition period regarding the gambling laws, it has a fully-fledged gambling regulatory authority called the Andorra Regulatory Council for Games, locally known as CRAJ. The regulator is tasked with issuing licenses to gambling operators looking to set up business within the country.

So far, the gambling authority has not yet issued any license to online or live casino operators. Opinions from experts indicate that the Andorran gambling market is too small for casino operators to consider going through all the trouble and expenses of getting licensed in the country. That means punters might still have to play live games at offshore live casinos for several years.

Gambling Tax Laws in Andorra

The Andorran law requires all casinos licensed in the country to pay taxes at 25% of the gross gambling revenue. The government does not get much revenue from the gambling industry as there is only one land-based casino operating in the country. There are some exceptions to the tax rates for some games. Such include bingo and lotteries, subject to a 10% tax. Online and live gambling taxes can go as low as 3%.