Chad has no dedicated regulatory authority overseeing gambling activities nationwide.
Land-based casinos and betting shops are legal but must obtain government licenses and pay taxes.
Operating physical gambling facilities without a license is illegal and subject to penalties or imprisonment.
Online gambling is not explicitly regulated; no laws specifically legalize or prohibit iGaming.
No online gambling operators are licensed or based in Chad; residents use foreign websites at their own risk.
The legal gambling age in Chad is 18 for both land-based and online participation.
Recent VAT changes extend tax obligations to digital platforms, reflecting efforts to regulate the digital economy.
Technical Compliance Assistance
Our specialists will help you understand technical compliance requirements for gambling operations
Legislation
Primary Legislation
Chad’s gambling sector is primarily governed by general legal provisions that apply to land-based gambling activities. The existing legislation permits various forms of gambling such as casinos, sports betting, lotteries, and raffles, provided these activities are authorized by the government. However, the legal framework was established prior to the emergence of online gambling and does not specifically address or regulate internet-based gaming. As a result, online gambling remains in a legal grey area—neither explicitly permitted nor prohibited by current Chadian law. There are no dedicated statutes or acts that comprehensively regulate online gambling or iGaming within Chad.
Regulatory Authority
Chad does not have a specialized regulatory authority or commission dedicated exclusively to the oversight and enforcement of gambling laws. Instead, oversight of gambling activities falls under the general jurisdiction of government ministries responsible for commerce and finance. These authorities are tasked with granting permissions for land-based gambling operations and ensuring compliance with applicable legal provisions. There is currently no centralized or independent body for gambling regulation or enforcement in Chad.
Oversight of land-based gambling is managed by relevant government ministries.
There is no dedicated regulatory body for online gambling or iGaming activities.
Enforcement and compliance are handled through general government channels rather than a specialized gambling authority.
License Types
Types of Gambling Licenses in Chad
Chad currently offers licensing only for land-based gambling operations. The licensing system covers physical casinos, gaming houses, and betting establishments. There are no licenses available for online gambling, as this area remains unregulated and not addressed by current legal frameworks. All legal gambling activities must be conducted through licensed, physical premises.
Casino License: Required for operating land-based casinos offering games such as slot machines, roulette, blackjack, and poker.
Betting License: Required for sports betting and other wagering activities conducted in physical locations.
Lottery and Raffle License: Required for organizing lotteries and raffles in physical venues.
Application Process
Operators must submit a formal application to the relevant government authority, typically a designated ministry or local government office.
The application must include detailed information about the business, ownership, location, and proposed gambling activities.
Applicants must provide supporting documents such as proof of identity, business registration, and financial statements.
Background checks on owners and key personnel are typically required to ensure integrity and suitability.
Physical inspection of the premises may be conducted before a license is granted.
License Duration and Renewal
Licenses are generally issued for a fixed period, commonly one year.
Renewal applications must be submitted before the license expires, following similar procedures as the initial application.
Renewal is contingent on continued compliance with regulatory requirements and payment of all relevant fees.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be legally registered business entities in Chad.
Owners and key personnel must pass background and integrity checks.
Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to operate the gambling business responsibly.
The physical premises must meet safety and operational standards as determined by authorities.
Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements
Applicants are required to pay an initial license fee upon approval. The exact amount may vary based on the type and size of the operation.
Annual renewal fees apply, which must be paid to maintain the license.
Failure to obtain or renew a license can result in significant monetary penalties (up to $4,000) and possible imprisonment for up to two years for illegal operation.
Additional financial guarantees or proof of capital may be required, depending on the scale of the operation.
Key Requirements for Maintaining a License
Continuous compliance with all applicable regulations and operational standards.
Timely payment of all licensing and renewal fees.
Cooperation with regulatory inspections and audits.
Immediate notification to authorities of any changes in ownership, management, or business structure.
Implementation of responsible gambling measures as directed by authorities.
There is currently no regulatory body or licensing system for online gambling in Chad. All regulatory focus remains on land-based operations, and operators must ensure full compliance with licensing requirements to legally offer gambling services within the country.
Gambling Tax
Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in Chad
Chad imposes taxes on land-based gambling operators as a condition for legal operation. The specific tax rates for different types of gambling activities are not publicly detailed in official or industry sources. However, all physical gambling facilities, including casinos, betting shops, and lottery providers, are required to pay taxes to the government. There is no information indicating the existence of a differentiated tax regime for various gambling verticals (such as casino, sports betting, or lottery).
Type of Gambling
Tax Rate
Basis of Taxation
Land-based Casinos
Not publicly specified
Presumed on turnover or gross gaming revenue (GGR)
Betting Shops
Not publicly specified
Presumed on turnover or GGR
Lotteries
Not publicly specified
Presumed on turnover or GGR
Basis for Taxation
All licensed land-based gambling operators are subject to taxation.
The exact basis—whether turnover, gross gaming revenue (GGR), or net profit—is not explicitly defined in available public sources.
Tax Reporting and Payment Procedures
Licensed gambling operators must regularly report their financial results to the relevant government authorities as part of their tax obligations.
There is no publicly available information specifying the frequency (monthly, quarterly, annually) or format of tax filings for gambling operators in Chad.
Failure to pay due taxes or to report as required can result in significant monetary penalties or short-term imprisonment for operators.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions
There are no documented tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions for gambling operators in Chad.
No information is available regarding reduced rates for specific types of gambling or for new market entrants.
Additional Notes
Online gambling is not specifically regulated or taxed, as the legal framework does not address online operations. No domestic online gambling operators are subject to local taxation.
Recent changes in VAT law extend to digital platforms, but there is no explicit indication that this currently applies to gambling activities.
Prohibited Individuals
Age Restrictions
The minimum legal age for participating in gambling activities in Chad is 18 years. All players must be at least 18 years old to enter and gamble in land-based casinos or other licensed gaming establishments. Identification checks are required to verify age before granting access to gambling venues.
Prohibited Activities
Operating gambling services without proper government authorization is strictly prohibited and subject to significant penalties, including monetary fines and potential imprisonment.
There are no explicit prohibitions on specific types of games in licensed land-based venues; traditional casino games such as slot machines, roulette, blackjack, poker, raffles, lotteries, and sports betting are all permitted in licensed facilities.
Online gambling is not specifically regulated or prohibited by law, but no online gambling operators are licensed or permitted to operate from within Chad. No land-based operators are allowed to offer online gambling products, including iGaming, lottery, or online sports betting.
Hosting or providing unlicensed online gambling services within Chad is not permitted.
Advertising and Marketing Limitations
There are no detailed, publicly available regulations specifically addressing advertising or marketing limitations for gambling in Chad. However, unlicensed gambling operators are not permitted to advertise or promote their services.
Any marketing or advertising by unlicensed gambling operators is considered illegal.
Responsible Gambling and Player Protection Measures
Chad does not currently have a dedicated regulatory authority for gambling or formalized responsible gambling requirements at the national level.
There are no mandated responsible gambling programs, self-exclusion registers, or specific player protection measures required by law for licensed operators.
Licensed land-based venues are expected to enforce age verification and prevent underage gambling, but there are no further codified player protection obligations.
Geographic and Location Restrictions
All licensed gambling operations must be conducted within authorized physical premises. Only brick-and-mortar establishments with government approval may legally offer gambling services.
There are no known restrictions regarding the proximity of gambling venues to sensitive locations, such as schools or religious institutions, specified in public regulations.
Online gambling operators are not permitted to base their operations within Chad or offer services to Chadian residents from within the country.
Gambling Regulatory Consultation
Get expert advice on gambling regulations and operational requirements
Timeline
Year/Date
Event
Pre-2000s
Chad establishes basic gambling laws allowing land-based casinos and betting, with all physical operators required to obtain a license and pay taxes to the government.
Early 2000s
Existing gambling laws remain largely unchanged; no specific provisions introduced for online gambling as internet access remains limited.
2000s
Chad faces significant political and economic challenges, with no major legislative reforms in the gambling sector during this period.
2010s
Land-based gambling continues to be legal and regulated, but online gambling remains unaddressed by law, creating a legal gray area for internet-based wagering.
2024
As of 2024, Chad still lacks a dedicated national gambling regulatory authority and has not enacted new comprehensive gambling legislation; online gambling remains neither explicitly legal nor illegal under current laws.
Requirements
Software Certification and Technical Standards
There are currently no specific technical standards or software certification requirements for gambling operators in Chad. The country lacks a dedicated regulatory authority overseeing gambling operations, and existing laws do not address online gambling or detailed technical compliance for land-based or online operators.
No requirements exist for third-party testing, game fairness certification, or compliance with international technical standards.
Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location
There are no explicit data protection or privacy regulations specifically tailored to gambling operators in Chad.
No requirements regarding the physical location of servers or data centers for gambling operations are stipulated by law.
Operators are not subject to any mandatory data encryption, user data protection, or privacy-by-design obligations specific to the gambling sector.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures
Chad does not have gambling-specific AML or KYC technical requirements for operators. There are no formalized procedures or technical standards for identity verification, customer due diligence, or transaction monitoring in the gambling sector.
Operators are not required to implement automated AML monitoring tools or electronic KYC solutions under current regulations.
Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping Requirements
No technical or operational requirements exist for regular financial reporting, independent audits, or standardized record-keeping for gambling operators in Chad.
There are no mandates for the use of certified accounting software, digital ledgers, or data retention periods specific to gambling operations.
Responsible Gambling Tools and Technical Implementation
There are no technical requirements for responsible gambling tools, such as self-exclusion systems, deposit limits, or real-time player protection mechanisms, for operators in Chad.
No obligations exist for the integration of responsible gambling features into gaming platforms or for providing technical means for player support or intervention.
Sources
Primary Regulatory Authorities
There is currently no dedicated national regulatory authority for gambling in Chad.
For general business and licensing inquiries, contact the Government of Chad:
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.
