Gambling is largely prohibited with very limited legal forms, such as a scratch-off lottery; no formal licensing for casinos or online gambling exists.
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Online gambling is not explicitly regulated but generally considered illegal.
Land-based gambling is effectively banned due to Shariah law.
There are no brick-and-mortar casinos in the country.
The National Gambling Proclamation sets guidelines for gaming activities.
Advertising gaming activities is subject to specific regulations.
Engaging in illegal gaming can result in fines or imprisonment.
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Legislation
Primary Legislation
The legal framework governing gambling in Eritrea is primarily based on two main sources: the Eritrean Penal Code and the National Gambling Proclamation. The Eritrean Penal Code does not explicitly address gambling, neither for land-based nor online activities. As a result, there is a notable absence of specific statutory provisions directly regulating most forms of gambling. In addition, Eritrea is influenced by Shariah law, which prohibits all forms of gambling according to Islamic principles. This religious influence contributes to the general prohibition and limited tolerance of gambling activities within the country. For sports betting, the National Gambling Proclamation provides the main legislative basis, outlining the requirements and regulations for such activities. However, there are no explicit or comprehensive laws addressing online gambling, leaving it in a legal grey area.
Regulatory Authority
Oversight and enforcement of gambling laws in Eritrea are managed by government authorities designated under the National Gambling Proclamation. While there is no dedicated, independent gambling regulatory commission, relevant government departments are responsible for ensuring compliance with national legislation and religious principles. The main legal responsibilities of these authorities include:
Enforcing the provisions of the National Gambling Proclamation, particularly for sports betting
Monitoring and preventing illegal gambling activities in accordance with the Penal Code and Shariah law
Regulating advertising and public promotion of gambling activities as outlined in the National Gambling Proclamation
License Types
Types of Gambling Licenses Available in Eritrea
There is no formal licensing system for online gambling in Eritrea. Online gambling is not explicitly regulated, and it is generally considered illegal. No official licenses are issued for online casinos, sports betting, or other iGaming activities.
Land-based gambling is also not formally regulated by a dedicated licensing authority. There are no brick-and-mortar casinos operating under a recognized licensing regime in the country.
The only notable exception is the existence of a scratch-off lottery, which operates openly but is not officially licensed or regulated by a transparent government process.
Application Process and Procedures
There is no established application process for obtaining gambling licenses for either online or land-based operations in Eritrea.
Operators cannot submit formal applications to any regulatory authority, as no such body or process exists for commercial gambling activities.
Duration, Renewal, and Eligibility
Since there is no official licensing system, there are no provisions regarding license duration, renewal conditions, or eligibility criteria for gambling operators in Eritrea.
Operators have no legal pathway to obtain, renew, or maintain licenses for any form of gambling business.
Licensing Costs, Fees, and Financial Requirements
There are no government-mandated fees, costs, or financial requirements for gambling licenses, as no such licenses are available.
The absence of a regulated market means there are no official financial obligations or compliance costs associated with licensing.
Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining Licenses
No formal requirements exist for obtaining or maintaining a gambling license in Eritrea, as the regulatory framework does not provide for such licenses.
Operators cannot fulfill any compliance, operational, or reporting requirements because there is no legal structure for licensing or supervision.
Gambling Tax
Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in Eritrea
Currently, there is no specific, formalized taxation system for gambling operators in Eritrea. The legal environment is characterized by the absence of explicit laws or regulations governing gambling activities, including the operation of casinos, betting shops, or online gambling platforms. As a result, there are no officially published tax rates applicable to gambling operators for any type of gambling activity.
Basis for Taxation
No official basis for gambling taxation (such as Gross Gaming Revenue, turnover, or other metrics) has been established by Eritrean authorities.
Gambling activities are either unregulated or considered illegal, and there is no formal framework for calculating or collecting taxes from gambling operations.
Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements
There are no defined tax reporting or payment procedures for gambling operators in Eritrea.
Operators are not required to submit gambling-related tax returns or make tax payments to the government, as no regulatory or tax authority oversees gambling activities.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions, or Special Provisions
No tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions for gambling operators exist in Eritrea, as gambling is not formally recognized or regulated as a taxable business sector.
Summary Table: Gambling Taxation in Eritrea
Gambling Activity
Tax Rate
Tax Basis
Reporting/Payment
Incentives/Exemptions
All forms (land-based, online, lottery, betting)
Not specified
Not specified
Not required
None
Prohibited Individuals
Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements
There are no clearly defined statutory age restrictions or formal identification requirements for gambling in Eritrea, as the country lacks comprehensive gambling regulations and does not officially recognize or license gambling activities. However, given the prevailing influence of Islamic law and the general prohibitionist stance, all forms of gambling are effectively discouraged for all age groups. In practice, minors are not specifically targeted or protected by formal age verification mechanisms, as legal gambling venues do not exist.
Prohibited Gambling Activities and Game Restrictions
All forms of land-based casino gambling are considered prohibited. There are no licensed casinos or betting shops operating legally.
Online gambling is not explicitly regulated but is generally considered illegal, with no licensing framework in place for online operators.
Islamic law, which heavily influences Eritrean policy, prohibits all types of gambling activities, including games of chance, sports betting, and lotteries.
Advertising and Marketing Limitations
Advertising of gambling services is subject to strict limitations and is effectively prohibited, in line with the general ban on gambling activities.
No public or private entity is permitted to promote or market gambling products or services, whether through traditional media, digital channels, or sponsorships.
Any attempt to advertise gambling may result in legal consequences, including fines or other sanctions.
Responsible Gambling and Player Protection Measures
There are no formal responsible gambling requirements or player protection frameworks established by law or regulatory bodies.
Players are not provided with safeguards such as self-exclusion programs, deposit limits, or access to counseling services, as no legal gambling infrastructure exists.
Individuals who choose to participate in informal or illegal gambling activities do so at their own risk, with no legal recourse or consumer protection mechanisms available.
Penalties for involvement in illegal gambling can be severe, including fines and imprisonment.
Geographic and Location Restrictions
There are no licensed gambling venues in Eritrea. All forms of land-based gambling are effectively banned nationwide.
There are no designated zones or exceptions for gambling activities in any region or city.
Informal gambling (such as street lottery ticket sales) occurs sporadically but is not officially sanctioned and may be subject to enforcement at any time.
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Timeline
Year/Date
Event
1991
Eritrea gains independence; no specific gambling regulations established, and the country begins to rely on pre-existing legal frameworks and religious principles.
1995
Introduction of the Eritrean Penal Code, which does not specifically address gambling, leaving the legal status of gambling ambiguous.
2000s
Sharia law and Islamic principles increasingly influence social and legal attitudes toward gambling, reinforcing prohibitions in line with religious doctrine.
2010s
Informal scratch-off lotteries become widespread despite the lack of explicit regulation or licensing, reflecting a gap between law and practice.
2020
National Gambling Proclamation introduced, providing a regulatory framework for sports betting and outlining penalties for illegal gaming activities.
2025
Online gambling remains unregulated and is generally considered illegal; no licensing system exists for online operators, and legal ambiguity persists.
Requirements
Software Certification and Technical Standards
There are currently no officially published technical standards or software certification requirements for gambling operators in Eritrea. The regulatory environment does not provide for the certification of gaming software, testing of random number generators, or compliance with international technical standards.
No guidelines exist for game fairness, system integrity, or mandatory use of certified testing laboratories.
Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location
Eritrea does not have specific data protection or privacy regulations tailored for gambling operators.
There are no requirements regarding the physical location of gaming servers, nor any mandates for data storage or protection protocols for gambling-related operations.
Operators are not subject to audits or inspections regarding data security or privacy compliance in the context of gambling.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures
No formal AML or KYC procedures are prescribed for gambling operators in Eritrea, as there is no established regulatory framework for such operations.
Operators are not required to implement customer identity verification, transaction monitoring, or suspicious activity reporting specific to gambling activities.
Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping
There are no defined financial reporting obligations, auditing standards, or record-keeping requirements for gambling operators in Eritrea.
The absence of a regulated gambling market means there is no authority to set or enforce such operational standards.
Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools
No technical requirements or implementation standards exist for responsible gambling tools, such as self-exclusion systems, deposit limits, or player protection mechanisms.
Operators are not mandated to provide any responsible gambling features or to integrate technical solutions for player welfare.
Sources
Primary Regulatory Authorities
There are currently no dedicated official government websites or regulatory bodies specifically overseeing gambling regulation in Eritrea.
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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.
