Regulatory AuthorityMinistry of Finance (in cooperation with the National Lottery Authority)
License CostVaries
Regulation by Activity Type
Casinos
Regulated
Online Casinos
Unregulated
Betting
Regulated
Online Betting
Unregulated
Lotteries
Regulated
Poker
Regulated
Highlights
Land-based gambling is legal and regulated under the 'Réglementation générale des jeux de hasard' law.
Online gambling is not regulated; there are no specific laws or licensing for online operators.
The minimum legal gambling age in Gabon is 18, and operators must verify customer age before participation.
Casino operators must pay an annual tax of 4.5% of their income to the Gabonese budget.
There are currently three licensed land-based casinos, all located in Libreville, the capital.
No domestic online gambling licenses are issued, but residents can access international online gambling sites.
Major licensed operators include Casino Croisette, Pari Mutuel Urbaine Gabonaise, and Fortune’s Club.
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Legislation
Primary Legislation
The core legal framework governing gambling in Gabon is established by Law No. 24/2004, which came into effect on April 29, 2005. This law provides the primary regulation for all forms of land-based gambling, including casinos and betting shops. It sets out the general rules for the operation and oversight of games of chance within the country. The main legislative act for land-based gambling is complemented by the “Réglementation générale des jeux de hasard,” which further details the regulation of games of chance and the requirements for operating land-based gambling establishments. Notably, there is currently no specific legislation addressing online gambling in Gabon; as a result, online gambling is not explicitly regulated or prohibited under the existing legal framework.
Regulatory Authority
The regulation and oversight of gambling activities in Gabon are primarily managed by government authorities. The Ministry of Finance is the central body responsible for the regulation of gambling, working in close cooperation with the National Lottery Authority for lottery-related activities. For land-based betting, the Direction Générale de l'Administration du Territoire, a division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, is the authority responsible for issuing licenses and supervising betting operations. These bodies ensure compliance with the legal framework and oversee the lawful operation of gambling activities in the country.
Supervision and enforcement of gambling laws and regulations
Issuance of licenses for land-based gambling operators
Oversight of the National Lottery and related gaming activities
Coordination between ministries for effective regulation of the sector
License Types
Types of Gambling Licenses in Gabon
Land-Based Casino License: Required for operating physical casinos. Only a limited number of casinos are currently licensed in Gabon, primarily in the capital, Libreville.
Land-Based Betting License: Issued for operating betting shops, including sports betting and pari-mutuel betting. These licenses are held by operators such as Pari-Mutuel Urbain Gabon and bet241.
Lottery License: Managed in cooperation with the National Lottery Authority for operators wishing to run lottery games.
There is currently no licensing system for online gambling in Gabon. Online gambling is unregulated, and no official online gambling licenses are issued by Gabonese authorities. Local operators may offer online services based on their land-based licenses, but there is no specific online license available.
Licensing Application Process
Licenses for land-based betting are issued by the Direction Générale de l'Administration du Territoire, a division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Casino licenses are regulated under the “Réglementation générale des jeux de hasard.”
Applicants must submit a formal application to the relevant authority, providing detailed business plans, proof of financial capacity, and background information on company directors and shareholders.
Due diligence checks are performed to assess the suitability of applicants, including criminal background checks and verification of financial stability.
Duration and Renewal Conditions
Licenses are typically granted for a fixed term, commonly one to five years, depending on the type of license and authority discretion.
Renewal requires a new application before expiry, continued compliance with all regulatory requirements, and payment of renewal fees.
Authorities may review the operator’s conduct, financial records, and compliance history during the renewal process.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be legal entities registered in Gabon or have a local representative.
Directors and significant shareholders must pass fit and proper person checks, including criminal and financial background screening.
Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to operate the gambling business responsibly.
Physical premises must meet security, safety, and operational standards as set by the authorities.
Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements
Operators are required to pay licensing fees, which vary by license type and size of operation. Exact fee schedules are not publicly disclosed but include an initial application fee and annual or monthly licensing fees.
For land-based casinos, operators must pay an annual fee calculated as a percentage of gross gaming revenue (commonly 4.5%).
Betting operators are also subject to a monthly licensing fee, often based on a percentage of revenue.
Applicants may be required to provide financial guarantees or proof of minimum capital as part of the application process.
Key Requirements for Maintaining a License
Ongoing compliance with all regulatory requirements, including anti-money laundering measures and responsible gambling practices.
Regular reporting to the relevant authority on financial performance, player protection measures, and any incidents of note.
Maintenance of secure and safe gambling environments in all licensed premises.
Immediate notification to authorities of any changes in ownership, management, or financial status.
Renewal of the license before expiration and payment of all required fees on time.
Gambling Tax
Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in Gabon
Gabon imposes specific tax rates on licensed gambling operators, primarily targeting land-based businesses. The taxation applies to both betting operators and casinos.
Type of Gambling Operation
Tax Rate
Basis for Taxation
Land-based Betting Operators
4.5% monthly
Overall revenue (gross revenue)
Land-based Casinos
4.5% annually
Income (gross revenue)
Basis for Taxation
Taxation for both betting shops and casinos is based on gross revenue or income, not on turnover or net profit.
This means the tax is calculated as a percentage of the total revenue generated before deducting expenses.
Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements
Licensed betting operators are required to pay the 4.5% tax on their overall revenue each month.
Casinos must pay the 4.5% tax on their annual income.
Operators are expected to submit regular reports detailing their revenue to the relevant government authority, typically the division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs responsible for gambling oversight.
Timely payment of taxes is mandatory to maintain good standing and retain operational licenses.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions
There are no publicly available reports of special tax incentives, exemptions, or reduced rates for gambling operators in Gabon.
No taxes are imposed on player winnings; all tax obligations are borne by the operators.
Online gambling is not specifically regulated or taxed, as there is no licensing framework for online operators in Gabon.
Prohibited Individuals
Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements
The minimum legal age for gambling in Gabon is 18 years. Gambling operators are required to verify the age of their customers before allowing them to participate in any gambling activities. This verification process is intended to prevent minors from accessing gambling services.
Prohibited Activities and Game Restrictions
There are no specific public prohibitions on particular types of land-based gambling activities; regulated casinos and betting are permitted.
Online gambling is not regulated in Gabon. There are no officially licensed online gambling operators, and local operators do not provide online gambling services. However, there is no explicit ban on accessing international online gambling sites, and many Gabonese players use these platforms.
Unlicensed gambling operations, particularly those not authorized by Gabonese authorities, are not permitted to offer services within the country.
Advertising and Marketing Limitations
Advertising of gambling services is subject to general restrictions to ensure it does not target minors or vulnerable populations.
All marketing materials must avoid misleading claims and should not encourage excessive or irresponsible gambling behavior.
Operators are expected to ensure that advertising is not placed in media or locations primarily accessed by individuals under the legal gambling age.
Responsible Gambling and Player Protection Measures
Operators are required to implement measures to prevent underage gambling, including robust age verification procedures.
Information about the risks of gambling and resources for problem gambling support must be made available to players within gambling venues.
Operators are encouraged to provide self-exclusion options and promote responsible gambling practices, though the extent of these requirements may vary in practice.
Staff at gambling venues should be trained to recognize signs of problem gambling and direct individuals to appropriate support services.
Geographic and Location Restrictions
Land-based casinos are currently limited to specific locations, primarily in the capital city, Libreville.
Gambling venues must be situated in approved areas and comply with any local zoning or distance requirements from sensitive sites such as schools or places of worship.
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Timeline
Year/Date
Event
1960s
First forms of regulated gambling, primarily lotteries and basic betting, are introduced in Gabon following independence.
1990s
Expansion of land-based gambling, including the opening of the first casinos in Libreville, under general gaming regulations.
29 April 2005
Law No. 24/2004 comes into effect, establishing the primary regulatory framework for gambling in Gabon, covering land-based casinos and betting but not specifically addressing online gambling.
2010s
Licensing of key operators such as Pari-Mutuel Urbain Gabon and bet241 for land-based betting, with oversight by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
2020s
Continued absence of specific online gambling regulation; international online gambling sites remain accessible to Gabonese players without local licensing requirements.
2024
Gambling sector oversight is confirmed to be under the Ministry of Finance and the National Lottery Authority, with no major amendments to the foundational 2005 law.
Requirements
Software Certification and Technical Standards
There are currently no specific software certification or technical standards requirements for gambling operators in Gabon, especially in the online sector. The regulatory framework does not provide detailed technical standards for game fairness, random number generators, or system integrity.
For land-based operations, general gaming equipment must comply with basic operational standards as overseen by the Ministry of Finance and the National Lottery Authority, but no detailed technical certification process is formally outlined.
Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location
Gabon does not have explicit data protection or privacy requirements tailored to gambling operators. There are no published mandates regarding the storage, processing, or protection of player data specific to the gambling sector.
No requirements exist regarding the physical location of servers used for gambling operations. Operators are not required to host servers within Gabon or meet particular cybersecurity standards.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures
There are no detailed, sector-specific AML or KYC procedures mandated for gambling operators in Gabon. The regulatory authorities have not issued technical guidelines for customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, or suspicious activity reporting within the gambling sector.
Operators are generally expected to comply with any applicable national AML regulations, but there are no unique technical or operational requirements for gambling businesses beyond general financial sector obligations.
Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping
Gabonese gambling regulations do not specify technical standards for financial reporting or auditing for gambling operators. There are no detailed requirements for regular submission of financial statements, independent audits, or standardized record-keeping practices in the gambling sector.
Any financial reporting obligations would fall under general business and tax regulations, rather than industry-specific mandates.
Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools
There are no technical requirements or standards for implementing responsible gambling tools in Gabon. Operators are not mandated to provide self-exclusion mechanisms, deposit limits, or other player protection features through their platforms.
Responsible gambling provisions, if any, are not codified in technical or operational terms for either land-based or online gambling operations.
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.
