Bolivia Removes Gaming Authority Approval Requirement for Commercial Promotions
Law No. 1733 excludes commercial promotions from the scope of the Lottery and Gambling Law, removing the intervention of the Gaming Authority and eliminating the Gaming Tax applicable to these activities.
The enactment of Law No. 1733 on Tax Relief, dated 27 May 2026, introduces a relevant change for companies conducting commercial promotions in Bolivia. Under the new framework, commercial promotions are excluded from the scope of Law No. 060 on Lottery and Gambling Games, meaning that they no longer require authorisation, supervision or control by the Gaming Authority (Autoridad de Fiscalización del Juego — AJ).
The AJ has officially communicated that, following the enactment of Law No. 1733, commercial promotions no longer require its authorisation. It also clarified that promotions authorised before the entry into force of the Law remain valid and effective, and must be carried out under the legal framework applicable at the time of their authorisation.
This change represents an important regulatory simplification measure for the private sector, particularly for consumer goods, retail, telecommunications, financial services, e-commerce, food and beverage, and other industries that use promotions, prize draws and commercial campaigns as marketing tools.
Regulatory change: exclusion of commercial promotions
Law No. 1733 modifies relevant provisions of Law No. 060 on Lottery and Gambling Games. Among other changes, it refocuses the scope of the law on games of chance, draws and lotteries, as well as the various means through which such activities may be carried out.
As a consequence, commercial promotions are no longer subject to the regulatory regime that required intervention by the AJ.
In practical terms, companies are no longer required to obtain prior authorisation from the AJ to carry out commercial promotions, nor are such activities subject to administrative supervision by that authority.
Elimination of the Gaming Tax applicable to commercial promotions
One of the most relevant effects of the reform is the elimination of the Gaming Tax applicable to commercial promotions.
Previously, promotional campaigns could be subject to formal obligations, authorisation requirements and financial costs linked to the gaming and commercial promotions regime. Law No. 1733 substantially changes this treatment.
The amendment removes an administrative and tax burden that affected companies conducting marketing campaigns involving prizes, draws, contests, commercial activations or similar mechanisms.
Promotions authorised before Law No. 1733
The AJ has clarified that commercial promotions authorised before the entry into force of Law No. 1733 remain fully valid and effective.
This means that companies with prior AJ authorisations must carry out those promotions in accordance with:
- the originally approved conditions;
- the legal framework in force at the time of authorisation;
- the terms, rules and deadlines communicated to participants;
- the obligations assumed vis-à-vis consumers and beneficiaries.
This is an important transitional point. The removal of the regime on a forward-looking basis does not automatically invalidate previously authorised promotions or alter the conditions under which they were approved.
Practical implications for companies
The change has a direct impact on the planning and execution of commercial campaigns.
For companies, the reform may result in:
- elimination of prior filing before the AJ;
- shorter timelines for launching promotions;
- reduced documentation and administrative burden;
- elimination of the Gaming Tax applicable to these activities;
- greater flexibility for digital campaigns and commercial activations;
- lower regulatory costs in marketing strategies.
This new scenario may be particularly beneficial for companies that conduct promotions frequently, including supermarkets, pharmacies, consumer brands, banks, fintechs, telecom companies, airlines, digital platforms, restaurants, shopping centres and service companies.
Less AJ intervention does not mean no compliance
Although commercial promotions no longer require AJ authorisation, companies should continue to maintain appropriate standards of commercial transparency and consumer protection.
In particular, every promotion should still have clear rules regarding:
- participation requirements;
- campaign duration;
- description of prizes or benefits;
- winner selection mechanics;
- applicable restrictions;
- personal data processing;
- truthful and non-misleading advertising;
- effective delivery of prizes;
- documentary record of the campaign.
Depending on the structure of the promotion, other general rules may remain relevant, including consumer protection, data protection, advertising, contracts, tax, e-commerce and unfair competition rules.
Recommendations
Companies conducting commercial promotions should review their internal procedures in light of Law No. 1733.
In particular, they should consider:
- identifying ongoing promotions previously authorised by the AJ;
- ensuring that such promotions are executed under their original conditions;
- updating internal commercial compliance matrices;
- removing unnecessary references to AJ authorisations in future campaigns;
- reviewing terms and conditions for future promotions;
- keeping documentary evidence of the promotional mechanics;
- coordinating between marketing, legal, compliance and finance teams;
- monitoring any additional implementing regulations or administrative criteria.
Conclusion
Law No. 1733 introduces an important change for commercial promotions in Bolivia. By excluding these activities from the scope of Law No. 060 and removing AJ intervention, the Law reduces administrative and tax burdens for the private sector.
For companies, the new framework creates greater commercial agility, particularly for promotional campaigns, commercial draws, brand activations and digital marketing strategies.
However, regulatory simplification does not eliminate the need to design clear, transparent and properly documented promotions. The opportunity lies in taking advantage of reduced formalities while maintaining adequate standards of compliance, transparency and consumer protection.
