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GQ

Is Gambling Legal in Equatorial Guinea?

Partially Regulated
Land-based casinos are licensed and regulated; online gambling and sports betting remain unregulated with no licensing or oversight.
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    Key Information Highlights Legislation Timeline Requirements Sources

    Key Information

    Last Update 2025
    Regulatory Authority Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Francophonie
    License Cost Varies

    Regulation by Activity Type

    Casinos Regulated
    Online Casinos Unregulated
    Betting Regulated
    Online Betting Unregulated
    Lotteries Regulated
    Poker Regulated

    Highlights

    • Gambling in Equatorial Guinea is primarily regulated by Law No. 2/1995, covering recreational and chance games.
    • Land-based casinos and lotteries are legal and require a license from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Francophony.
    • The law grants a monopoly for lottery operations, with a single operator holding exclusive rights in the country.
    • There is no regulatory framework or licensing process for online gambling or online betting operators.
    • Online gambling is not explicitly prohibited, so residents freely access international betting sites without restrictions.
    • Winnings from online gambling are not subject to local taxes or fees due to the absence of relevant legislation.
    • Player protection measures exist for land-based casinos but are lacking for online gambling due to regulatory gaps.
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      Legislation

      Primary Legislation

      The core legal framework governing gambling in Equatorial Guinea is established by Law Number 2/1995, known as the Law of ‘Juegos de Recreo y de Azar’. This law primarily addresses the regulation of land-based casinos and lotteries, creating a legal structure that grants exclusive rights to a single lottery operator and provides for the licensing of land-based casino operations. Law No. 4/2005 introduced amendments to the original 1995 act, but these amendments did not expand the law to cover betting activities or online gambling. As a result, there is no specific legislation regulating either land-based or online betting in Equatorial Guinea, and the legal framework does not address the operation or licensing of online gambling platforms.

      Regulatory Authority

      Oversight of the regulated gambling sector in Equatorial Guinea is the responsibility of the Ministerio de Cultura, Turismo y Francofonía (Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Francophony). This ministry is empowered to issue licenses and oversee compliance for land-based casinos and lotteries. However, it does not have authority over betting operators or online gambling activities, as these are not covered under the current legal framework.
      • Supervises and licenses land-based casinos
      • Regulates the national lottery and enforces the lottery monopoly
      • Does not regulate or oversee betting or online gambling activities

      License Types

      Types of Gambling Licenses Available

      • Land-Based Casino License: Equatorial Guinea offers a licensing process exclusively for land-based casino operations. This is the primary and, as of now, only formal gambling license available in the country.
      • Lottery License: The national lottery operates under a monopoly, with exclusive rights granted to a single operator. No open licensing process exists for additional lottery operators.
      • No Online Gambling Licenses: There is currently no licensing system or process for online gambling operators, betting sites, or software providers. Online gambling activities remain unregulated and do not fall under any official licensing regime.

      Application Process for Casino Licenses

      • Regulatory Authority: Licenses for land-based casinos are issued by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Francophony (Ministro de Cultura, Turismo y Francofonia).
      • Application Submission: Prospective operators must submit a formal application to the Ministry, including detailed business plans, proof of financial stability, and information about company ownership and management.
      • Documentation: Required documents typically include corporate registration, identity verification for stakeholders, financial statements, and a description of the proposed casino facilities and security measures.
      • Due Diligence: Background checks and suitability assessments are conducted on key individuals and entities involved in the casino operation.
      • Approval Timeline: The duration for processing a casino license application is not publicly standardized, but approval is subject to the Ministry’s discretion and may vary based on completeness of documentation and background checks.

      License Duration and Renewal Conditions

      • License Term: The specific duration of a land-based casino license is not publicly disclosed, but licenses are typically issued for a fixed multi-year period, subject to compliance with regulatory requirements.
      • Renewal Process: Renewal requires submission of updated documentation, continued demonstration of financial stability, and evidence of compliance with operational and legal standards.
      • Eligibility for Renewal: Licenses can be renewed if the operator maintains a clean compliance record and meets all regulatory obligations.

      Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements

      • Application Fees: The government imposes an initial application fee for land-based casino licenses. The exact amount is not publicly specified and may be subject to negotiation or determined by the Ministry.
      • Annual Fees: Licensed casinos are required to pay annual licensing fees to maintain their operating status.
      • Financial Guarantees: Applicants must demonstrate sufficient capital reserves and financial stability as part of the licensing process. This may involve providing bank guarantees or proof of funds.
      • Other Costs: Additional costs may include background check fees, compliance monitoring charges, and contributions to responsible gambling initiatives, as determined by the Ministry.

      Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining a License

      • Corporate Structure: The applicant must be a legally registered business entity in Equatorial Guinea or have official authorization to operate within the country.
      • Ownership Transparency: Full disclosure of ownership and management structures is required, with background checks conducted on all key individuals.
      • Operational Standards: Licensed casinos must adhere to strict operational, security, and anti-money laundering standards as set by the Ministry.
      • Compliance Obligations: Ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements is mandatory, including regular reporting and cooperation with inspections and audits.
      • Responsible Gambling Measures: Operators must implement player protection and responsible gambling policies as required by the Ministry.

      Summary Table: Licensing System Overview

      License Type Available? Regulator Application Fee Annual Fee Duration Renewal
      Land-Based Casino Yes Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Francophony Not Publicly Disclosed Yes Multi-year (exact term undisclosed) Subject to compliance and Ministry approval
      Lottery Monopoly (Single Operator) Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Francophony Not Applicable Not Applicable Exclusive Not Applicable
      Online Gambling No Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable

      Gambling Tax

      Tax Rates for Gambling Operators

      Equatorial Guinea’s taxation system for gambling operators is limited and applies primarily to land-based casinos and the state lottery. There is no formal taxation regime for online gambling or sports betting operators, as these activities are not regulated under current law. The state maintains a monopoly over the lottery sector, and casino operations are subject to licensing, but detailed, published tax rates for casino operators are not readily available in public sources.

      Basis for Taxation

      • For land-based casinos, any applicable taxes are presumed to be based on gross gaming revenue (GGR) or turnover, in line with common practice in the region, but there is no explicit, publicly disclosed formula or rate.
      • Online gambling and betting activities are not taxed, as there is no regulatory or licensing framework for these sectors.

      Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements

      • Licensed land-based casino operators are expected to comply with standard business tax reporting and payment procedures as set by the national tax authorities.
      • There are no specific, published requirements for gambling-specific tax filings or schedules beyond general business taxation for casinos.
      • Operators of unregulated online gambling or betting activities are not subject to any local gambling taxes or reporting obligations.

      Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions

      • There are no known tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions for gambling operators in Equatorial Guinea.
      • Players are not subject to taxes on their gambling winnings, particularly for online betting, due to the absence of a regulatory and tax framework.

      Summary Table: Gambling Taxation in Equatorial Guinea

      Gambling Activity Tax Rate Basis Reporting Requirement Incentives/Exemptions
      Land-based Casinos Not publicly disclosed Presumed GGR or turnover Standard business tax reporting None
      State Lottery Monopoly; not disclosed Not specified Not specified None
      Online Gambling & Betting None Not applicable None None
       

      Prohibited Individuals

      Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements

      In Equatorial Guinea, there is no clear nationwide regulation specifically addressing age restrictions for online gambling activities. For land-based casinos, standard international practices are generally followed, though specific identification verification procedures are not well-documented in the current regulatory framework. The absence of comprehensive online gambling legislation means there are no standardized age verification processes for digital platforms operating in the country.

      Prohibited Gambling Activities

      The regulatory landscape in Equatorial Guinea presents significant gaps regarding prohibited gambling activities:
      • There are no explicit prohibitions on specific types of online gambling games or activities due to the lack of a comprehensive regulatory framework
      • The lottery sector operates as a monopoly under exclusive rights granted to a single operator
      • While land-based casinos are regulated, online betting remains unaddressed by authorities

      Advertising and Marketing Limitations

      Equatorial Guinea lacks specific regulations governing gambling advertising and marketing practices. The absence of a legal framework for online betting means there are no formal restrictions on how gambling services can be promoted within the country. This regulatory gap extends to both domestic and international operators targeting Equatorial Guinean players.

      Responsible Gambling Requirements

      The current regulatory environment in Equatorial Guinea provides minimal player protections for gambling activities:
      • No licensing process exists for internet gambling operations, resulting in no mandatory player protection measures for online platforms
      • There are no requirements for operators to implement self-exclusion programs, deposit limits, or cooling-off periods
      • Responsible gambling programs are notably underdeveloped compared to other regions
      • Land-based casinos have some basic player protections in place, but these are not extensively documented or standardized

      Geographic Restrictions

      There are no documented geographic or location-based restrictions for gambling venues within Equatorial Guinea. The regulatory framework does not specify zoning requirements or distance limitations for land-based gambling establishments. For online operations, the lack of a regulatory framework means there are no formal geographic restrictions on where players can access gambling services from within the country.

      Regulatory Gaps and Implications

      The absence of comprehensive gambling regulations in Equatorial Guinea creates significant player protection concerns:
      • Players have no regulatory body to address complaints or disputes with gambling operators
      • No mandatory anti-money laundering (AML) protocols specific to the gambling sector despite international FATF recommendations
      • The lack of clear legal status for online gambling creates uncertainty regarding player rights and protections
      • International operators face no local restrictions or requirements when offering services to Equatorial Guinean players
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        Timeline

        Year/Date Event
        1995 Law of ‘Juegos de Recreo y de Azar’ is enacted, establishing the first formal regulation of gambling in Equatorial Guinea. This law covers land-based casinos and lotteries, granting monopoly rights to a single lottery operator.
        2005 Law No. 4/2005 is introduced, amending the 1995 Act. The amendments continue to regulate land-based casinos and lotteries but do not address online gambling or sports betting.
        2010s Despite the growing popularity of online gambling globally, Equatorial Guinea does not introduce any specific legislation to regulate or prohibit online gambling or online sports betting. The regulatory framework remains focused on land-based operations.
        2020s The legal environment remains unchanged, with no new laws or amendments addressing online gambling. Land-based casinos continue to operate under the licensing authority of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Francophony, while online gambling remains unregulated and untaxed.

        Requirements

        Technical and Operational Requirements for Gambling Operators in Equatorial Guinea

        As of the current date, Equatorial Guinea does not have a regulated framework for online gambling operations. There are no explicit technical or operational requirements for online gambling operators, as the sector remains unregulated by national law. The only legal provisions pertain to land-based casinos, and there are no established standards or compliance procedures for online operators. However, based on general international best practices and the limited regulation of land-based casinos, the following points summarize the situation and potential expectations if regulations were to be introduced.

        Software Certification and Technical Standards

        • No official requirements for software certification or technical standards for online gambling operators exist in Equatorial Guinea.
        • Land-based casinos may be subject to basic technical standards, but these are not published or enforced for online platforms.
        • There is no designated authority for software testing, random number generator (RNG) certification, or game fairness verification.

        Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location

        • No data protection or privacy regulations specific to gambling operations are in place.
        • There are no requirements regarding the physical location of servers or data centers for gambling operators.
        • Operators are not mandated to implement specific encryption or cybersecurity measures for player data.

        Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures

        • No formal AML or KYC procedures are required by Equatorial Guinea for gambling operators, especially in the online sector.
        • Land-based casinos may be expected to follow some basic customer identification practices, but these are not codified for online operations.
        • There is no national authority enforcing FATF recommendations or monitoring gambling transactions for AML compliance in the online sector.

        Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping

        • No financial reporting or auditing standards are mandated for online gambling operators.
        • There are no legal obligations for record-keeping, transaction logs, or audit trails for online gambling activities.
        • Land-based casinos may have basic record-keeping requirements, but these do not extend to online operators.

        Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools

        • No technical requirements exist for the implementation of responsible gambling tools, such as self-exclusion systems, deposit limits, or reality checks.
        • There is no centralized self-exclusion register or technical mechanism to prevent problem gambling in the online sector.
        • Operators are not required to display responsible gambling information or provide player protection features.

        Sources

        Primary Regulatory Authorities

        • Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Francophonie (Ministerio de Cultura, Turismo y Francofonía) – Responsible for licensing and oversight of land-based casinos and lotteries. Official government portal: https://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com/

        Legislation Resources

        • Official State Gazette (Boletín Oficial del Estado) – Repository for national laws and legislative acts, including gambling legislation: https://www.boe.es/
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          Important Information Notice

          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.

          Last updated: 22 April 2025