All gambling is illegal in Algeria except state-run lotteries, horse racing.
There is no dedicated gambling regulator; oversight is by the Ministry of Youth and Sports for legal activities.
No licensing framework exists for private operators; only the state-owned PSA is authorized to operate.
Online gambling and betting are expressly prohibited, with websites blocked and no local online operators licensed.
A 40% tax is levied on winnings from state-run lotteries and betting, with proceeds directed to charity and sports.
Law 18-05 bans e-commerce for gambling, bets, and lotteries, making all forms of online gambling illegal.
Penalties for illegal gambling can include fines and imprisonment, but enforcement against individual players is rare.
Technical Compliance Assistance
Our specialists will help you understand technical compliance requirements for gambling operations
Legislation
Primary Legislation
The legal framework governing gambling in Algeria is highly restrictive and is rooted in both religious principles and national law. The key pieces of legislation are:
Algerian Civil Code: The Civil Code explicitly prohibits gambling and betting, with the exception of horse racing and certain sports betting activities, as outlined in Article 612. Lotteries and raffles are also subject to stringent regulations and are only permitted under specific conditions.
Penal Code (Articles 165–169): The Penal Code further reinforces the prohibition on gambling by defining illegal gambling activities and establishing penalties for those who operate gambling establishments or provide gambling content, whether land-based or online. These articles focus primarily on operators rather than individual players.
Algerian Family Code (Article 222): The Family Code, which is influenced by Sharia law, categorically bans all games of chance in Algeria. This code serves as an overarching legal basis for the prohibition of most gambling activities in the country.
There is no comprehensive Gambling Act or equivalent legislation that provides a licensing or regulatory framework for commercial gambling. Online gambling is not regulated and is explicitly illegal under current laws. The few exceptions allowed—such as state-sanctioned lotteries and limited sports betting—are strictly controlled and primarily serve charitable or public welfare purposes.
Regulatory Authority
Algeria does not have a dedicated gambling regulatory authority. Instead, oversight and enforcement responsibilities are distributed among several government bodies:
Ministry of Youth and Sports: This ministry oversees the limited legal betting activities, such as state-run lotteries, horse racing, and sports betting pools. It supervises the operations of the state operator (Paris Sportif Algérien) and ensures compliance with the narrow legal exceptions.
Law Enforcement Agencies: Enforcement of gambling prohibitions and penalties for illegal gambling activities fall under the jurisdiction of the national police and other law enforcement bodies, as stipulated in the Penal Code.
There is no independent gambling commission or licensing authority, and no process exists for private operators to obtain gambling licenses in Algeria. All permitted gambling activities are state-controlled, and regulatory oversight is limited to ensuring these activities comply with the strict conditions set out in national legislation.
No licensing information available.
Gambling Tax
Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in Algeria
Algeria prohibits almost all forms of gambling, with the only legal exceptions being state-sanctioned lottery and betting pools operated by the state-owned Pari Sportif Algérien (PSA), and betting on horse racing at designated racetracks.
There is no general taxation framework for private or commercial gambling operators, as no private operators are legally permitted to operate within Algeria.
For the limited legal gambling activities (PSA lotteries and betting pools), the primary tax is a 40% tax applied to player winnings from these state-run games. This is not a tax on operator revenue or gross gaming revenue (GGR), but rather a withholding on player payouts.
Proceeds from these taxes are earmarked for charitable causes and the development of sports in Algeria.
Type of Gambling
Operator
Tax Rate
Tax Base
Notes
Lottery & Betting Pools
State-owned (PSA)
40%
Player winnings
Tax withheld at source; funds go to charity and sports
Horse Racing Betting
State-sanctioned
40%
Player winnings
Same as above
Other Gambling (Casinos, Private Betting, Online)
Not permitted
N/A
N/A
No legal operators; no tax regime
Basis for Taxation
The 40% tax is levied on gross player winnings from state-run lotteries and betting pools.
There is no tax on operator GGR, turnover, or profits as private operators are not allowed.
Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements
For the state-run PSA, taxes are withheld directly from player winnings at the point of payout. Players receive their winnings net of tax.
The PSA is responsible for remitting collected taxes to the appropriate state funds dedicated to charity and sports development.
There are no periodic tax filings or payments required from private gambling operators, as none are licensed or permitted to operate.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions
There are no tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions for gambling operators in Algeria.
All legal gambling is state-controlled, and all proceeds (net of winnings and costs) are directed to public benefit rather than private profit.
Prohibited Individuals
Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements
The minimum legal age for participating in any permitted gambling activities in Algeria is typically 18 years old. This applies to the limited legal options such as state-run lotteries and betting pools.
Identification is required to verify age when participating in legal gambling activities, particularly at official outlets for the state lottery and betting pools.
There are no formal identification or verification requirements for online gambling, as all forms of online gambling are illegal and unregulated.
Prohibited Gambling Activities and Game Restrictions
All forms of gambling, including online gambling, casino games (such as slots, roulette, blackjack, and poker), private betting, and unlicensed lotteries are strictly prohibited under Algerian law.
Online gambling websites are generally blocked by the authorities, and there is active internet censorship targeting gambling-related content.
There are no legal casinos operating in Algeria, and the establishment of gambling venues is banned.
Betting on horse racing and participation in state-sanctioned lotteries and betting pools are the only exceptions, but these are tightly regulated and only available through the official state operator.
Betting on foreign events, including races and sports matches taking place abroad, is not permitted under Algerian law.
Advertising and Marketing Limitations
Advertising and marketing of gambling services are strictly prohibited in Algeria, both for local and foreign operators.
There are no legal provisions allowing the promotion of gambling products, and authorities actively censor online content that encourages or promotes gambling.
Websites that promote or facilitate gambling are subject to blocking, and any attempts to advertise gambling services can result in legal action.
Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection Measures
There are no formal responsible gambling requirements or player protection measures mandated by Algerian authorities for gambling operators, as nearly all forms of gambling are illegal.
No self-exclusion programs, deposit limits, or other harm minimization tools are provided by local operators, except for basic age verification for the limited state-run lottery and betting pools.
Offshore online gambling operators may offer responsible gambling tools, but these are not recognized or enforced under Algerian law and are only available to Algerian residents accessing foreign sites at their own risk.
There is no government support, helpline, or official problem gambling prevention infrastructure in Algeria.
Geographic and Location Restrictions
Physical gambling venues such as casinos and betting shops are banned throughout Algeria; there are no legal land-based gambling establishments except for limited state-run lottery outlets and horse racing tracks.
All legal gambling activities are restricted to official state-operated locations, such as authorized lottery sales points and racetracks for horse betting.
Online gambling is not permitted from any location within Algeria, and access to gambling websites is actively restricted by national internet service providers.
Gambling Regulatory Consultation
Get expert advice on gambling regulations and operational requirements
Timeline
Year/Date
Event
1984
Enactment of the Algerian Family Code, which, under Article 222, explicitly prohibits all games of chance and gambling activities, reflecting Sharia law principles.
1984
Introduction of the Penal Code provisions (Articles 165–169), criminalizing the operation of gambling establishments and setting penalties for illegal gambling activities.
1990s
Legalization of limited state-run betting and lotteries, such as those operated by Paris Sportif Algérien (PSA), with strict conditions and all profits directed to charity and public welfare.
2010
Initiation of internet censorship measures aimed at blocking access to online gambling and betting sites, as part of broader efforts to enforce gambling prohibitions.
February 2018
Passage of a law explicitly banning online betting and gambling, making all forms of online gambling illegal except for state-sanctioned activities.
Requirements
Software Certification and Technical Standards
There are no explicit technical standards or software certification requirements for gambling operators in Algeria, as the operation of gambling services (including online gambling) is generally prohibited. No regulatory body exists to develop or enforce such standards.
For the limited state-sanctioned activities (such as lotteries and sports betting operated by Paris Sportif Algérien), technical requirements are not publicly specified and are presumed to be governed by internal state procedures rather than published regulatory standards.
Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location
Algeria enforces data protection under Law No. 18-07 (2018), which applies to the processing of personal data. Any operator processing personal data must obtain prior consent from data subjects for data transfers in or out of the country.
There is a National Authority responsible for the protection of personal data, overseeing compliance with privacy requirements.
Specific requirements for server location, data encryption, or technical data security measures for gambling operators are not defined, as no regulated online gambling framework exists.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures
No dedicated AML or KYC technical or procedural requirements exist for gambling operators, given the absence of a regulated market and licensing framework.
General AML obligations may apply to financial institutions, but not specifically to gambling operators, except potentially for the state-run lottery and betting pools, which operate under internal government oversight.
Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping
There are no published financial reporting, auditing, or record-keeping standards for gambling operators, as private operators are not permitted and no licensing or compliance regime exists.
The state-run operator (Paris Sportif Algérien) is presumed to follow government-mandated internal controls and reporting, but these are not publicly detailed or available to private entities.
Responsible Gambling Tools and Technical Implementation
No technical requirements or standards for responsible gambling tools (such as self-exclusion, deposit limits, or reality checks) are mandated or published for gambling operators in Algeria.
No public player protection or responsible gambling framework exists for online or land-based gambling outside the limited state-run activities.
Summary: Algeria does not have a regulated gambling market for private operators, and therefore, there are no technical or operational compliance requirements such as software certification, technical standards, AML/KYC procedures, or responsible gambling tools. The only relevant regulations pertain to data protection for any entity processing personal data, with strict consent and transfer conditions. All other aspects of gambling operations remain either prohibited or governed by internal state procedures not published for external compliance.
Gambling regulations are subject to change. The information provided on this page was accurate at the time of publication, but may not reflect the current regulatory landscape. Always consult official sources for the most up-to-date information before making any gambling-related decisions.
