Gambling is primarily aimed at international tourists, as most locals are prohibited from participating due to religious norms.
The legal gambling age in Djibouti is 18 for all forms of gambling, including casinos and lotteries.
Casino operations are allowed under government regulation, with a small number of licensed venues in the country.
Licenses for gambling operations are valid for five years, covering casino games, gambling machines, and lotteries.
Recent amendments to financial legislation in 2025 have updated aspects of gambling taxation and regulatory compliance.
Strict compliance with age and licensing requirements is enforced, and gambling outside licensed venues is illegal.
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Legislation
Primary Legislation
Gambling in Djibouti is governed by a legal framework that permits certain forms of gambling, primarily targeting international visitors. The core structure of gambling legislation in Djibouti is established through national laws that regulate the operation of casinos and other gaming activities. The legislation sets out the legal basis for the establishment, operation, and oversight of gambling venues, ensuring that activities are conducted in accordance with national standards and cultural considerations. The legal framework specifically addresses the types of gambling permitted, the conditions under which they may operate, and the obligations of operators to comply with relevant laws.
Regulatory Authority
Oversight and enforcement of gambling laws in Djibouti are managed by designated government authorities. These regulatory bodies are responsible for:
Supervising and monitoring all legal gambling activities within the country
Ensuring compliance with national gambling legislation and operational standards
Implementing and updating regulatory policies in line with legislative changes
Protecting the integrity of the gambling sector and upholding social and cultural norms
License Types
Types of Gambling Licenses Available in Djibouti
Land-based Casino License: Djibouti issues licenses specifically for land-based casino operations. These licenses are primarily granted to establishments catering to tourists, as local residents are generally prohibited from gambling in these venues.
Online Gambling License: As of now, Djibouti does not offer any form of licensing for online gambling operators. There is no regulatory framework or process in place for online gambling licenses, and no operator has been granted such a license.
Application Process for Land-based Casino Licenses
Eligibility: Licenses are typically issued to operators targeting the tourist sector. Local individuals and companies may not be eligible if their intended clientele includes Djibouti residents.
Submission: Applicants must submit detailed proposals to the relevant government authority, outlining their business plan, security measures, and compliance protocols.
Review: The government reviews applications based on the reputation of the operator, financial stability, and the proposed contribution to the tourism sector.
Approval: Licenses are granted at the discretion of the authorities, often following background checks and financial due diligence.
Duration and Renewal Conditions
License Duration: Land-based casino licenses are typically issued for a fixed period, which may vary depending on the agreement with the government. The specific duration is not publicly standardized and may be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
Renewal: License renewal is possible upon satisfactory compliance with all regulatory requirements. Operators must demonstrate ongoing adherence to operational, financial, and security standards.
Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements
Application Fees: Operators are required to pay a non-refundable application fee as part of the licensing process. The exact amount is not publicly disclosed and may be determined by the government based on the scale and scope of the proposed casino.
Annual Fees: Licensed casinos must pay annual fees to maintain their license. These fees contribute to the national budget and are part of the ongoing financial obligations of the operator.
Financial Guarantees: Applicants may be required to demonstrate sufficient capital and provide financial guarantees to ensure the viability and integrity of the casino operation.
Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining a License
Tourist Focus: Casino operations must primarily serve non-residents and tourists. Strict measures are enforced to prevent local residents from accessing gambling services.
Compliance: Operators must adhere to all regulatory requirements, including security protocols, anti-money laundering measures, and responsible gambling policies.
Reporting: Regular reporting to the authorities is required, covering financial performance, security incidents, and compliance status.
Operational Standards: Casinos must maintain high standards of integrity, safety, and customer service as stipulated by the licensing authority.
Summary Table: Djibouti Gambling Licensing System
License Type
Availability
Application Process
Duration
Fees
Key Requirements
Land-based Casino
Available (for tourist-focused casinos)
Formal application, review, and approval by authorities
Djibouti’s gambling sector is primarily focused on land-based casinos, with limited information available about other forms of gambling. The tax system for gambling operators is set out by the national tax code and is periodically updated through annual finance acts.
Type of Gambling
Tax Rate
Basis of Taxation
Land-based Casinos
15%–20%
Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR)
Other Gambling Operations
Subject to general corporate tax (25%)
Net Profits
The primary tax on casino operators is levied on Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), which is calculated as the difference between the amount wagered by players and the winnings paid out. Other forms of gambling, if permitted, are generally subject to the standard corporate income tax rate, which is currently 25% on net profits.
Tax Reporting and Payment Procedures
Gambling operators are required to keep detailed records of all gaming activities, revenue, and payouts.
Tax returns must be filed on a quarterly basis, with supporting documentation outlining GGR and any deductions.
Tax payments are due within 30 days of the end of each quarter.
Operators are subject to periodic audits by the tax authorities to ensure compliance and accuracy in reporting.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions
There are currently no sector-specific tax incentives or exemptions for gambling operators in Djibouti.
General investment incentives, such as reduced tax rates or temporary exemptions, may be available for large-scale tourism or hospitality projects that include gambling operations, but these are granted on a case-by-case basis through special government agreements.
No special provisions exist for online gambling, as the sector is not formally regulated or taxed separately from land-based operations.
Prohibited Individuals
Age Restrictions
The minimum legal age for participating in any form of gambling in Djibouti is 18 years. This applies to both land-based casinos and any other permitted gambling activities. Entry to gambling venues and participation in games is strictly limited to individuals who can provide proof of age, typically through official identification documents.
Prohibited Activities
Gambling is prohibited for local residents due to prevailing cultural and religious norms; the sector primarily caters to international tourists.
There are no widespread lotteries or sports betting operations; the industry is focused mainly on casino gaming.
Unlicensed gambling activities are strictly forbidden, and gambling outside of government-approved venues is not permitted.
Advertising and Marketing Limitations
Gambling advertising is restricted and must not target local residents, in line with cultural sensitivities and religious considerations.
Marketing campaigns are generally limited to international visitors and must avoid content that could be interpreted as promoting gambling to minors or vulnerable groups.
Any promotional material must comply with government standards and avoid misleading or exaggerated claims about winnings or odds.
Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection
Casinos are required to enforce age verification checks at entry points to prevent underage gambling.
Operators must provide clear information about the risks of gambling and encourage responsible play among customers.
Staff are expected to monitor for signs of problem gambling and may intervene or offer assistance if necessary.
Self-exclusion options and access to support resources for problem gambling may be available, especially in venues catering to international standards.
Geographic or Location Restrictions
Gambling venues are limited to specific licensed locations, primarily within major hotels or tourist areas.
Casinos and other gambling establishments are not permitted in residential neighborhoods or areas frequented by the general local population.
Access to gambling venues is typically restricted to non-residents and tourists, with local participation highly discouraged or outright banned.
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Timeline
Year/Date
Event
1997
Djibouti legalizes casino gambling, primarily to attract international tourists; Casino de Djibouti opens as the country’s first major casino.
Early 2000s
Government begins regulating the gambling sector, introducing basic licensing requirements for casinos and gambling venues.
2010s
Regulatory framework is updated to clarify age restrictions and operational standards, setting the minimum gambling age at 18.
2025
Amendment to the Finance Act comes into force on January 1, 2025, further updating gambling-related provisions in the country’s tax and regulatory codes.
Requirements
Software Certification and Technical Standards
There are currently no formal technical standards or software certification requirements established by Djibouti for gambling operators, either for land-based or online gambling.
Land-based casinos operate under specific licenses, but technical certification of gaming systems, random number generators (RNGs), or software platforms is not explicitly mandated by local regulation.
Online gambling is not formally regulated, and there are no domestic requirements for software testing, certification, or compliance with international technical standards.
Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location
Djibouti does not have specific data protection or privacy requirements tailored to gambling operators.
There are no legal provisions requiring gambling operators to store player data on servers located within Djibouti or to implement particular cybersecurity standards.
Operators are advised to follow general best practices for data security and privacy, but these are not codified in gambling-specific regulation.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures
There are no detailed, gambling-specific AML or KYC requirements imposed on operators by Djibouti’s current regulatory framework.
Land-based casinos may implement basic identity verification for entry and age control, especially for compliance with age restrictions for tourists, but there are no formalized procedures or technical standards for AML/KYC in gambling operations.
Online gambling is not regulated, so there are no mandatory AML/KYC technical controls for remote operators serving Djibouti.
Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping
There are no explicit technical or operational requirements for financial reporting or auditing standards specific to gambling operators in Djibouti.
Record-keeping requirements for gambling activities are not defined in law or regulation for either land-based or online operators.
Operators are expected to comply with general business and tax reporting obligations, but there are no sector-specific mandates for gambling-related financial audits or data retention.
Responsible Gambling Tools and Technical Implementation
Djibouti does not mandate the implementation of responsible gambling tools or technical features such as self-exclusion, deposit limits, or reality checks for gambling operators.
There are no operational or technical requirements for the deployment of responsible gambling measures in either land-based or online environments.
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.
