Gambling in Benin is regulated under Law No. 2006-12, covering land-based casinos, lotteries, and sports betting.
The National Lottery Authority (LONAB) is the main regulatory body overseeing all legal gambling activities.
Traditional gambling is taxed at 10%, while online gambling faces a higher tax rate of 25% as of 2025.
Online gambling remains largely unregulated, allowing access to foreign sites without specific local protections.
Recent reforms aim to introduce a gambling monitoring system for better oversight and control of the sector.
Casinos, lotteries, and sports betting require licenses, but no specific licensing exists for online operators.
There is ongoing discussion about further reforms, reflecting Benin's intent to modernize its gambling regulation.
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Legislation
Primary Legislation
The core legal framework governing gambling in Benin is established by Law No. 2006-12 of March 2006. This legislation provides the primary basis for the regulation of all gambling activities within the country, including land-based casinos, lotteries, and sports betting. The law outlines the legal conditions for the operation and oversight of these activities, setting the foundation for the sector’s structure and compliance obligations. While traditional gambling activities are clearly regulated under this law, online gambling remains largely unregulated, with no specific legal provisions currently in force for internet-based gaming platforms.
Regulatory Authority
Oversight and enforcement of gambling legislation in Benin is the responsibility of the National Lottery Authority (Loterie Nationale du Bénin, LONAB). This authority is charged with supervising, regulating, and monitoring all legal gambling activities within the country. In addition, the Gaming Sector Supervision Cell (Cellule de Supervision du Jeu, CSJ) plays a role in sector oversight, particularly in the context of regulatory reforms and collaboration with international partners to strengthen standards and integrity in the industry.
Supervision and regulation of land-based casinos, lotteries, and sports betting
Implementation and enforcement of national gambling legislation
Oversight of compliance and integrity within the regulated gambling sector
Collaboration on regulatory reforms and international best practices
License Types
Types of Gambling Licenses Available in Benin
Land-Based Casino License: Authorizes operation of physical casino establishments within Benin.
Lottery License: Permits the organization and management of lottery games, including national and regional draws.
Sports Betting License: Covers both retail (land-based) sports betting shops and operations.
Currently, online gambling is not formally regulated in Benin, and there is no dedicated licensing framework for online gambling operators. The focus remains on land-based activities, with the National Lottery Authority (LONAB) as the primary regulator for most forms of legal gambling.
Application Process for Gambling Licenses
Submission: Applicants must submit a formal application to the relevant regulatory authority, primarily the National Lottery Authority (LONAB).
Documentation: Required documents typically include business registration certificates, detailed business plans, proof of financial capacity, information on key personnel, and evidence of secure and transparent operational procedures.
Background Checks: Regulatory authorities conduct due diligence, including background checks on company owners, directors, and key staff to ensure integrity and suitability.
Evaluation: The application is reviewed for compliance with technical, financial, and ethical standards. Site inspections and interviews may be conducted as part of the process.
Approval: If the application meets all requirements, the license is granted, specifying the permitted activities and operational conditions.
Duration, Renewal, and Eligibility
License Duration: Gambling licenses in Benin are typically issued for a fixed period, often ranging from one to five years, depending on the type of license and the operator’s compliance history.
Renewal Conditions: License holders must apply for renewal before expiry, demonstrating continued compliance with all regulatory requirements, financial obligations, and operational standards. Renewal may involve updated documentation and a review of performance and compliance history.
Eligibility: Applicants must be legally registered entities in Benin or have a local presence. Key personnel must demonstrate good character, and the business must have a clear ownership structure and sufficient financial resources.
Licensing Costs, Fees, and Financial Requirements
Application Fees: A non-refundable application fee is required when submitting a license application. The amount varies based on the type of license sought.
License Issuance Fees: Upon approval, operators must pay a license issuance fee, which differs for casinos, lotteries, and sports betting operations. These fees are set by the regulatory authority and may be periodically revised.
Annual Fees: Licensees are generally required to pay annual fees to maintain their license in good standing. The fee structure is determined by the size and scope of the operation.
Financial Guarantees: Operators may be required to provide proof of minimum capital or financial guarantees to ensure the ability to cover player winnings and operational liabilities.
Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining a License
Compliance with Regulatory Standards: Operators must adhere to all operational, technical, and ethical standards set by the regulator, including anti-money laundering measures, responsible gambling protocols, and fair gaming practices.
Transparency and Reporting: Regular reporting of financial and operational data to the regulator is mandatory, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Security Measures: Licensees must implement robust security systems to protect player data and prevent fraud.
Ongoing Audits: Licensed operators are subject to periodic audits and inspections by regulatory authorities to verify compliance with all licensing conditions.
Consumer Protection: Operators must have procedures in place for handling player complaints and disputes, and must promote responsible gambling practices.
It is important to note that Benin is currently undergoing regulatory reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, security, and integrity in its gaming sector. This may result in updates to licensing systems and requirements in the near future.
Gambling Tax
Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in Benin
As of January 2025, Benin has introduced a revised taxation system for gambling operators under the 2025 finance law. The applicable tax rates differ based on the type of gambling operation:
Type of Gambling
Tax Rate
Tax Base
Traditional (Land-based) Gambling
10%
Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR)
Online Gambling
25%
Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR)
Basis for Taxation
Taxes are levied on the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), which is defined as the total amount wagered by players minus the winnings paid out.
Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements
Gambling operators are required to calculate and declare their GGR for each reporting period.
Tax payments must be made to the Benin tax authorities in accordance with the deadlines stipulated in the 2025 finance law. Specific payment intervals (monthly or quarterly) have not been publicly detailed, so operators should consult the tax authority for precise schedules.
Operators must maintain accurate records of all wagers, payouts, and GGR calculations to support their tax filings.
Failure to comply with reporting or payment obligations may result in penalties or additional assessments by the tax authorities.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions
No explicit tax incentives or exemptions for gambling operators have been announced under the 2025 finance law.
There are no special provisions for specific types of gambling beyond the distinction between traditional and online operations.
Casinos are subject to the same general tax regime as other traditional gambling operators unless further clarifications are issued by the authorities.
Prohibited Individuals
Age Restrictions
The minimum legal age for participation in gambling activities in Benin is 18 years. Gambling operators are required to verify the age of players before allowing them to participate in any form of gambling to prevent minors from accessing gambling services. Identification checks are mandatory at entry points for land-based venues and for prize collection.
Prohibited Activities
Unlicensed gambling operations are strictly prohibited, including both land-based and online operators that do not have approval from the relevant authorities.
Online gambling is largely unregulated in Benin, but local operators are not permitted to offer online gambling services without specific authorization. Most online gambling occurs via foreign platforms, which are outside the scope of local player protections.
Games that are not explicitly authorized by the National Lottery Authority, such as certain types of private lotteries or unregistered betting activities, are prohibited.
Unauthorized gaming machines and unapproved casino games are not permitted in licensed venues.
Advertising and Marketing Limitations
Gambling advertising must not target minors or vulnerable groups, and all marketing materials must clearly indicate the minimum age for participation.
Advertisements are required to avoid misleading claims about winning chances or the potential for financial gain.
Promotional activities that encourage excessive or irresponsible gambling are prohibited.
Advertising is restricted in proximity to schools, religious sites, and areas frequented by minors.
Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection Measures
Operators are required to provide clear information about the risks of gambling and to display responsible gambling messages in all venues and marketing materials.
Self-exclusion programs must be offered, allowing players to voluntarily ban themselves from gambling venues or services for a defined period.
Staff must be trained to identify signs of problem gambling and to intervene appropriately, including providing information about support organizations.
Limits on betting amounts and losses may be implemented to help protect players from excessive gambling.
Operators must ensure the privacy and security of player data, especially with regard to identification and financial information.
Geographic and Location Restrictions
Gambling venues are generally restricted from being located near schools, places of worship, and other sensitive community areas.
Only designated zones or areas approved by the National Lottery Authority may host land-based casinos and betting shops.
Mobile and online gambling services are not locally licensed or regulated, so protections and restrictions do not apply to foreign-based platforms accessed from within Benin.
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Timeline
Year/Date
Event
2006 (March)
Law No. 2006-12 enacted, establishing the primary legal framework for gambling regulation in Benin. The law covers land-based casinos, lotteries, and sports betting, and creates the National Lottery Authority (LONAB) as the main regulatory body.
2023 (March)
Benin's government announces plans to develop a modern gambling monitoring system, aiming to strengthen oversight and adapt to technological advancements in the sector.
2024 (November)
Benin hosts a landmark meeting with Liberia’s gaming authorities to discuss ongoing reforms and share best practices for enhancing regulation, transparency, and integrity in the gambling sector.
2024 (December)
Director General of Taxes announces significant changes to gambling taxation under the 2025 finance law, including differentiated tax rates for traditional and online gambling and clarifications for casino taxation.
2025 (January)
New gambling tax regime comes into effect: traditional gambling taxed at 10%, online gambling at 25%, reflecting the latest regulatory update.
Requirements
Software Certification and Technical Standards Requirements
There are currently no clearly defined or published technical standards for software certification specific to gambling operators in Benin.
Benin’s regulatory authorities are in the process of developing a digital monitoring system to oversee gambling activities, which is expected to introduce new technical standards for software and system integrity in the future.
Operators should anticipate requirements for certified random number generators (RNGs) and fair gaming algorithms once the digital monitoring system is implemented.
Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location Requirements
There are no explicit, published data protection or privacy requirements tailored to gambling operators in Benin at this time.
There are no formal requirements regarding the physical location of servers for gambling operations; however, future regulation may include stipulations on data residency and secure server management as part of the planned digital monitoring system.
Operators are advised to implement industry-standard data security protocols, including encryption, secure data storage, and restricted access controls, in anticipation of forthcoming regulation.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures
Operators are expected to comply with general AML requirements under Benin’s financial regulations, including monitoring transactions for suspicious activity and reporting to relevant authorities.
Comprehensive KYC procedures are not yet codified for gambling operators, but standard practices should include verifying customer identity, age, and source of funds to mitigate risks of money laundering and fraud.
Operators should maintain robust customer due diligence processes, including the collection and secure storage of identification documents and transaction histories.
Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping Requirements
Operators must maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records in accordance with Benin’s general accounting and auditing standards.
There are no specific gambling-focused financial reporting or external auditing mandates currently published, but operators are expected to prepare for future requirements as regulatory oversight increases.
Operators should retain all transaction records, player account data, and financial statements for a minimum period as required by general business law, and be prepared for periodic inspections by regulatory authorities.
Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools
There are no explicit technical requirements for responsible gambling tools mandated by Benin’s current gambling regulations.
Operators are encouraged to implement international best practices, such as self-exclusion systems, deposit limits, and player activity monitoring, in anticipation of future regulatory requirements.
Responsible gambling information and support resources should be made available to players through accessible digital channels.
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.
