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Is There a Casino in Reykjavík? What the Law Allows and Where You Can Play
There is no casino in Reykjavík or anywhere in Iceland. The law behind it, the HHÍ and Íslandsspil machines you find instead, and what visitors can play.
By Gunnar SigurðssonFact-checked by Helga BjörnsdóttirUpdated 11 min read
Market: Iceland
Disclosure We may earn a commission if you use our links. It never changes our ratings or the order of a list. Editorial policy
No. There is no casino in Reykjavík, and there is none anywhere else in Iceland: no roulette tables, no blackjack, no poker room. Icelandic law only allows gambling for money under special acts of parliament, and none of them permits a casino. What you will find in Reykjavík are gaming machines in bars, arcades and kiosks, run by two licensed charities’ operators, plus lotteries and the national sports-betting game. This page explains the law in plain terms, what you can actually play as a visitor, and the rules that catch tourists out.
Why Iceland has no casinos
The Lotteries Act (lög um happdrætti nr. 38/2005) is the starting point. Its 2. gr. 2. mgr. says that a lottery played for money or money’s worth may only be run under a specific statutory authorisation. The act defines “lottery” broadly enough to cover any game where chance decides the prize, so casino games fall under it. The licences it does allow (3. gr.) go only to associations or institutions raising money for public-benefit causes in Iceland. A commercial casino company cannot qualify.
The Penal Code (almenn hegningarlög nr. 19/1940) adds two offences. Under 183. gr., anyone who makes gambling or betting a business, or makes a business of getting others to take part, faces fines or up to a year in prison in serious cases. Under 184. gr., earning income directly or indirectly by letting gambling take place on premises you control is punishable in the same way. Together these rule out a casino, and they are also why there is no licensed poker room.
The Justice Minister summed up the policy in Alþingi on 25 September 2025: Iceland is meant to have a closed market, as Norway does. Six operators hold the special acts that allow money games: Íslensk getspá, Íslenskar getraunir, Happdrætti Háskóla Íslands (HHÍ), Happdrætti DAS, Happdrætti SÍBS and Íslandsspil.
Has anyone tried to open a casino in Iceland?
Yes, through parliament. A bill on casinos (frumvarp til laga um spilahallir), led by MP Willum Þór Þórsson with eleven co-sponsors from several parties, was filed three times: in the 143rd session (2013 to 2014), the 144th, and the 145th (distributed on 11 September 2015). It would have let a minister license casinos offering roulette, dice, card games and slot machines, with conditions including enough tourist visitors to sustain the business, and very high taxation on profits. It never passed: twice it waited for a first debate, and the third time it stayed in committee.
The political wind has since blown the other way. A private member’s bill to ban slot machines was resubmitted for several sessions up to 2024 without being debated, and a 2023 ministry working group on gambling could not agree on a report. No bill on gambling is on the government’s legislative agenda for the 2026 to 2027 session.
What you can play in Reykjavík
HHÍ gaming machines: Gullnáman and Gullregn
Happdrætti Háskóla Íslands, the University of Iceland lottery, runs gaming machines in licensed bars and dedicated gaming venues. They come in two kinds. Gullnáman machines are linked nationwide to the Gullpottur, a mystery jackpot that restarts at 1 million kr. after it falls and can grow to 17 million kr.; HHÍ says these games return about 90% of stakes, or 92% counting the jackpot. Gullregn machines are not linked to the jackpot and return about 92%.
- Age: 18 to play, but HHÍ says the venues themselves often set 20 as their entry age. Bring ID.
- Where: only at places children and teenagers cannot enter, so never in shops or kiosks.
- Payouts: credits and wins come out as tickets. Prizes over 250,000 kr. are redeemed through HHÍ’s Happið app or with ID at HHÍ’s office at Dvergshöfði 2 (weekdays 9:00 to 15:00), and are paid into the winner’s bank account, not in cash.
- Checks: every winner goes through an anti-money-laundering check under Act No. 140/2018, and HHÍ says winners from countries listed as high-risk under that law may not be able to redeem through the app.
- Tax: HHÍ states that all its winnings are tax-free.
For a tourist, the payout rules matter most. A small win comes back as a ticket you can play on or redeem at the venue; a big one needs ID, a bank account and possibly a visit to HHÍ’s office before you fly home.
Íslandsspil machines
Íslandsspil is owned by the Icelandic Red Cross (68.75%) and ICE-SAR, the national search-and-rescue association Slysavarnafélagið Landsbjörg (31.25%), and its profits fund their work. It runs non-linked machines under the söfnunarkassar act (lög nr. 73/1994). Machines in kiosks and shops take small stakes from 10 kr. a game with top prizes in the tens of thousands of krónur (Íslandsspil’s Icelandic page gives up to 300 kr. a game and top prizes of 20,000 to 30,000 kr.; its English page still shows 250 kr. and 20,000 kr.), while machines in arcades and licensed bars take up to 300 kr. a game with top prizes of 20,000 to 300,000 kr. The average return across its machines is 92%, and play is for those aged 18 and over; winners may be asked for ID.
Lotteries and sports betting
Íslensk getspá runs Lottó, Vikinglotto and EuroJackpot, and Íslenskar getraunir runs Lengjan, the national sports-betting game. Both are sold at shops and kiosks around Reykjavík and online through the shared games.lotto.is platform, for players aged 18 and over. HHÍ also sells Happaþrennan scratchcards and runs a monthly class lottery, and Happdrætti DAS and SÍBS run monthly prize draws. These are the only legal forms of betting in Iceland, and their winnings are tax-exempt under their special acts.
Poker
There is no licensed card room, and organising poker as a business runs into Penal Code 183. and 184. gr. Do not expect a public poker tournament or cash game in Reykjavík. Private games among friends, with no house taking a cut, are a different matter from a business, but there is nowhere to walk in and buy a seat.
Quick reference for visitors
| You want | Available in Reykjavík? | Where | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casino tables (roulette, blackjack) | No | Nowhere in Iceland | n/a |
| Poker room | No | Nowhere in Iceland | n/a |
| Slot-style machines | Yes | HHÍ venues and bars; Íslandsspil kiosks, arcades and bars | 18 (many venues 20) |
| Lottery tickets | Yes | Shops and kiosks; games.lotto.is | 18 |
| Sports betting | Yes, Lengjan only | Shops and kiosks; games.lotto.is | 18 |
Can tourists play at online casinos while in Iceland?
Being in Iceland does not change who you are for a casino. The casinos we list for Icelandic residents bar anyone who is resident in, or accessing from, a list of countries that includes the USA, the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Sweden, Cyprus and Australia. A British visitor in Reykjavík is still a UK resident and is barred; signing up anyway risks having winnings withheld. Your home country’s rules also still apply to you. If you live in a country with licensed online casinos, use those.
For residents: casino games online
Because no Icelandic operator offers casino games online, Icelanders who want roulette, blackjack or slots on a screen use foreign sites. There is no Icelandic licence for online casinos; the sites below are licensed in Anjouan and not licensed in Iceland. Players are not prosecuted in practice (police received 14 gambling-related matters in five years and none led to an investigation, RÚV reported in October 2025), while the Lotteries Act (11. gr.) restricts advertising unlicensed gambling. Accounts are in euros and winnings from foreign commercial casinos are taxable income in Iceland, unlike HHÍ and Íslandsspil prizes. If you go that route, these are the sites we have checked, with offers seen on 8 October 2026:
The shortlist
- 1
Trixino
777% up to €7,777 (about 1.07m kr.) over 6 deposits
- All 6 deposit bonuses in the slots package carry 7x wagering
- Separate live-casino (300% up to €1,750) and sports (325% up to €1,500) welcome packages
- Withdrawals: minimum €100 (13,700 kr.), maximum €1,000 a day and €10,000 a month; euro accounts only
Visit siteRead review18+. New players only. 7x wagering. T&Cs apply. Offer as seen on 8 October 2026; it may vary by country. ISK figures use the Central Bank of Iceland mid rate of 137.0 kr. per euro (8 Oct 2026). Not licensed in Iceland. - 2
Wildzy
600% up to €10,000 (about 1.37m kr.) over 4 deposits
- First deposit 200% up to €1,000; all 4 bonuses carry 10x wagering
- Reloads on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (up to €1,000 each)
- Takes cards, Revolut, Google Pay and crypto; no ISK and no Icelandic interface
Visit siteRead review18+. New players only. 10x wagering. T&Cs apply. Offer as seen on 8 October 2026; it may vary by country. ISK figures use the Central Bank of Iceland mid rate of 137.0 kr. per euro (8 Oct 2026). Not licensed in Iceland. - 3
Lucki Casino
450% up to €5,000 (about 685,000 kr.) over 3 deposits
- Weekly slot reloads on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, up to €2,500 each
- Lobby lists 53 slot providers and 12 live-casino providers
- Withdrawals: minimum €100 (13,700 kr.), maximum €1,000 a day and €10,000 a month; euro accounts only
Visit siteRead review18+. New players only. 25x wagering. T&Cs apply. Offer as seen on 8 October 2026; it may vary by country. ISK figures use the Central Bank of Iceland mid rate of 137.0 kr. per euro (8 Oct 2026). Not licensed in Iceland. - 4
Slottio
450% up to €3,500 (about 480,000 kr.) over 3 deposits
- Weekly live-casino reloads on Wednesday (100% up to €750) and Saturday (100% up to €1,000)
- Lobby lists 53 slot providers and 12 live-casino providers
- Withdrawals: minimum €100 (13,700 kr.), maximum €1,000 a day and €10,000 a month; euro accounts only
Visit siteRead review18+. New players only. 25x wagering. T&Cs apply. Offer as seen on 8 October 2026; it may vary by country. ISK figures use the Central Bank of Iceland mid rate of 137.0 kr. per euro (8 Oct 2026). Not licensed in Iceland. - 5
Smash Casino
600% up to €10,000 (about 1.37m kr.) over 5 deposits
- All 5 slots-package bonuses carry 10x wagering
- Live package 300% up to €2,250 and sports package 250% up to €5,000 (5x)
- Takes cards, Revolut, Google Pay and crypto; euro accounts only
Visit siteRead review18+. New players only. 10x wagering. T&Cs apply. Offer as seen on 8 October 2026; it may vary by country. ISK figures use the Central Bank of Iceland mid rate of 137.0 kr. per euro (8 Oct 2026). Not licensed in Iceland. - 6
Kingdom Casino
600% up to €9,500 (about 1.3m kr.) over 4 deposits
- All 4 slots-package bonuses carry 10x wagering
- Reloads on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, up to €1,000 each (10x)
- Takes cards, Revolut, Google Pay and crypto; euro accounts only
Visit siteRead review18+. New players only. 10x wagering. T&Cs apply. Offer as seen on 8 October 2026; it may vary by country. ISK figures use the Central Bank of Iceland mid rate of 137.0 kr. per euro (8 Oct 2026). Not licensed in Iceland. - 7
Aphrodite Casino
700% up to €7,000 (about 959,000 kr.) over 5 deposits
- Live-casino welcome package: 300% up to €2,250
- Lobby lists 53 slot providers and 12 live-casino providers
- No ISK and no Icelandic interface; euro accounts
Visit siteRead review18+. New players only. 25x wagering. T&Cs apply. Offer as seen on 8 October 2026; it may vary by country. ISK figures use the Central Bank of Iceland mid rate of 137.0 kr. per euro (8 Oct 2026). Not licensed in Iceland. - 8
Wino Casino
600% up to €10,000 (about 1.37m kr.) over 5 deposits
- Sports welcome package 300% up to €3,000 with 5x wagering
- Weekly slot reloads on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, up to €1,500
- No ISK and no Icelandic interface; euro accounts
Visit siteRead review18+. New players only. 25x wagering. T&Cs apply. Offer as seen on 8 October 2026; it may vary by country. ISK figures use the Central Bank of Iceland mid rate of 137.0 kr. per euro (8 Oct 2026). Not licensed in Iceland.
Our online casino guide for Iceland explains how we rank them, the live casino page covers real-dealer tables streamed online, the online slots guide compares online return rates with Gullnáman and Íslandsspil machines, and the euro casino guide shows what Icelandic banks charge on euro payments. For the full legal picture, read is online gambling legal in Iceland.
Help with gambling in Iceland
Gaming machines are the form of gambling most linked to problems, which is why HHÍ keeps its machines out of places minors can enter. If gambling is causing trouble for you or someone close to you: SÁÁ runs a free gambling-addiction programme (530-7600, [email protected]), the Red Cross helpline 1717 is free, anonymous and open 24/7 (also as web chat), and GA Iceland’s helpline is 698-3888. In an emergency, call 112. More on our responsible gambling page.
How we checked this page
We read the Lotteries Act 38/2005 and Penal Code 183. and 184. gr. in Alþingi’s current law collection (version of 1 October 2026), the bill on spilahallir (145th session, þingskjal 51) and its history in the 143rd and 144th sessions, and the Justice Minister’s Alþingi speech of 25 September 2025. Machine rules, return rates, payout rules and age limits come from HHÍ’s Gullnáman pages and from islandsspil.is, read on 8 October 2026. The restricted-country list comes from the listed casinos’ shared terms dated 2 July 2026.
Back to the Iceland Casino home page.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a casino in Reykjavík?
No. There is no casino anywhere in Iceland. The Lotteries Act only allows money games under special acts, and none permits casino tables. Reykjavík has gaming machines run by HHÍ and Íslandsspil, lotteries and Lengjan sports betting.
Why are casinos illegal in Iceland?
Lög nr. 38/2005 requires specific statutory authority for any money lottery and limits licences to public-benefit organisations, and Penal Code 183. and 184. gr. punish running gambling as a business or profiting from gambling on your premises. A casino bill was filed three times between 2014 and 2015 but never passed.
How old do you have to be to play the machines in Reykjavík?
18 for both HHÍ and Íslandsspil machines. HHÍ notes that many of the venues hosting its machines set an entry age of 20, so carry ID.
Can a tourist collect a big win from a Gullnáman machine?
Yes, but prizes over 250,000 kr. must be redeemed through HHÍ’s Happið app or with ID at its office at Dvergshöfði 2, and they are paid into a bank account, not in cash. All winners go through an anti-money-laundering check.
Is there poker in Reykjavík?
There is no licensed poker room or public card room in Iceland, and organising gambling as a business is an offence under Penal Code 183. gr.
Can I play at online casinos while visiting Iceland?
Casinos apply their terms by where you live. The sites we list bar residents of the UK, USA, Germany, Sweden and several other countries even if they log in from Iceland, and your home country’s rules still apply to you.
Sources
- Alþingi: Lög um happdrætti nr. 38/2005
- Alþingi: Almenn hegningarlög nr. 19/1940 (183.–184. gr.)
- Alþingi: Frumvarp til laga um spilahallir, 145. löggjafarþing, þingskjal 51
- Alþingi: Spilahallir, 144. löggjafarþing, mál 153 (status)
- Alþingi: Justice Minister's speech, 25 Sept 2025
- HHÍ: Gullnáman (games, return rates, Gullpottur)
- HHÍ: Gullnáman reglur
- HHÍ: Gullnáman algengar spurningar
- Íslandsspil: leikirnir, reglur and owners
- Íslensk getspá: Ábyrg spilun (age 18 online and in shops)
- RÚV: Íslendingar eyða 36 milljörðum á ólöglegum veðmálasíðum (21 Oct 2025)
About the author
Gunnar Sigurðsson
Casino reviews, bonuses and games
Gunnar writes Iceland Casino's English casino reviews and bonus guides, and the pages on games such as slots and live casino. He starts every review with the casino's own terms rather than its promotion banner, and works out what a bonus costs to clear in euros and krónur before he calls it good value. He records the date he saw each offer, flags withdrawal caps and maximum-bet rules, and points out what a casino does not offer Icelandic players, such as ISK accounts. Every page he writes is checked by a second editor.
