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Is Gambling Legal in Gambia?

Prohibited
Gambling is officially banned in Gambia since 2015 by presidential decree, though enforcement appears inconsistent. The Betting and Gaming Act makes it illegal for Gambians to gamble, with penalties including fines and imprisonment.
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    Key Information Highlights Legislation Timeline Requirements Sources

    Key Information

    Last Update 2025
    Regulatory Authority Gambian Government
    License Cost Varies

    Regulation by Activity Type

    Casinos Partially Regulated
    Online Casinos Prohibited
    Betting Prohibited
    Online Betting Prohibited
    Lotteries Partially Regulated
    Poker Prohibited

    Highlights

    • Gambia imposed a blanket ban on all gambling activities in 2015, covering casinos, lotteries, and betting parlors.
    • The Betting and Gaming Act makes it a criminal offense for Gambians to gamble in casinos, with fines and possible imprisonment.
    • No formal licensing framework exists for online or land-based gambling; only government permission applies to select entities.
    • Gambians are prohibited by law from gambling, but enforcement of these laws is inconsistent and rarely prosecuted in courts.
    • The only exceptions to the ban are a government-approved national lottery and a single land-based casino mainly for tourists.
    • There is no dedicated regulatory authority overseeing gambling, and the legal environment remains ambiguous and restrictive.
    • Gambia's gambling regulations are influenced by social and religious values, with a strong emphasis on public welfare and anti-gambling sentiment.
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      Legislation

      Primary Legislation

      The gambling legal framework in Gambia is primarily governed by the Betting and Gaming Act, which establishes the fundamental rules for gambling activities within the country. This legislation makes gambling illegal for Gambian citizens while creating exceptions for certain government-approved operations. Despite the existence of this formal legislation, enforcement has been inconsistent, creating a complex legal environment. In 2015, the Gambian government issued an executive proclamation that reinforced the prohibition on gambling activities throughout the country. This proclamation aimed to strengthen the existing legal framework by explicitly banning all forms of gambling, including casinos, lotteries, and sports betting operations. While the legal authority of this proclamation has been questioned by some legal experts within the country, it remains influential in the current regulatory approach. The legal framework creates a unique situation where gambling is generally prohibited, but with specific exceptions for government-sponsored games and certain tourist-oriented facilities. This creates a dual system where some gambling activities operate with express government permission rather than through a traditional licensing framework.

      Regulatory Authority

      Gambia lacks a dedicated gambling regulatory commission or specialized authority exclusively focused on overseeing gambling operations. Instead, gambling regulation falls under the general authority of the Gambian government, with enforcement responsibilities distributed across various government departments.
      • Oversight of the limited legal gambling operations (national lottery and tourist-focused casino)
      • Enforcement of gambling prohibitions for Gambian citizens
      • Implementation of the government's anti-gambling policies
      The absence of a specialized regulatory body contributes to the inconsistent enforcement of gambling laws in the country. While the legal framework establishes penalties for violations, including fines of up to 1,000 Dalasi or imprisonment of up to two years for gamblers, and 2,000 Dalasi or imprisonment for operators, court records indicate these penalties are rarely enforced in practice.

      License Types

      Types of Gambling Licenses in Gambia

      • There is currently no formal licensing system for any type of gambling activity in Gambia. This includes both land-based and online gambling operations.
      • The only exceptions are a single land-based casino and the national lottery, which operate under direct government permission rather than through a standardized licensing process.
      • No official or regulated licenses are issued for sports betting, online casinos, or other gambling activities.

      Application Process

      • No official application procedure exists for obtaining a gambling license in Gambia.
      • Operators that are allowed to function do so solely through explicit government approval, not through a transparent or structured licensing process.
      • There are no published forms, guidelines, or public calls for license applications.

      Duration, Renewal, and Eligibility

      • Since there is no formal licensing regime, there are no set durations for licenses, no renewal procedures, and no published eligibility criteria for applicants.
      • Permission to operate is granted at the discretion of government authorities and may be revoked at any time.

      Licensing Costs, Fees, and Financial Requirements

      • No official licensing fees or costs are established, as there is no regulatory framework for gambling licenses.
      • Financial requirements, such as minimum capital or ongoing fees, are not defined or published for gambling operators.

      Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining Permission

      • There are no codified requirements or standards for obtaining or maintaining a gambling license in Gambia.
      • Any operation that exists does so with direct government authorization, often for specific purposes such as tourism or national fundraising.
      • There is no formal process for compliance, reporting, or ongoing regulatory oversight as would be expected in a traditional licensing regime.

      Summary Table: Gambling Licensing System in Gambia

      Aspect Status in Gambia
      Types of Licenses No formal licenses; only government permission for limited operations
      Application Process Not available; no official process
      Duration & Renewal Not applicable; permissions are discretionary
      Eligibility No published criteria
      Costs & Fees Not defined
      Key Requirements No formal requirements; subject to government discretion
      The current environment in Gambia does not support a structured or transparent gambling licensing system. Any operation is subject to direct government approval, and there are no formalized procedures, fees, or requirements for licensing in place.

      Gambling Tax

      Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in Gambia

      Currently, Gambia does not have a formal, active taxation system for gambling operators. This is due to the government’s official ban on all forms of gambling, which was announced and enforced in 2015. The ban covers casinos, lotteries, sports betting parlors, and other gambling activities. As a result, there are no published tax rates or differentiated tax structures for various types of gambling operations.

      Basis for Taxation

      • No official basis for taxation (such as Gross Gaming Revenue, turnover, or other metrics) is established for gambling operators, as all forms of commercial gambling are currently prohibited by the government.

      Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements

      • There are no prescribed tax reporting or payment procedures for gambling operators, since the operation of gambling businesses is not legally permitted under the current regulatory environment.
      • Prior to the 2015 ban, some gambling activities operated with government permission, but there is no evidence of a structured or codified taxation and reporting framework for these activities.

      Tax Incentives, Exemptions, or Special Provisions

      • No tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions are available for gambling operators, as all commercial gambling is officially banned.
      • The only exceptions to the gambling ban are government-sponsored games, such as the national lottery, which are used to raise funds for community projects. However, these are not subject to standard commercial taxation and instead operate under government-directed financial arrangements.

      Summary Table: Gambling Operator Taxation in Gambia

      Type of Gambling Operation Tax Rate Tax Basis Reporting/Payment Requirements Incentives/Exemptions
      Casinos Not applicable (operation banned) Not applicable Not applicable None
      Sports Betting Not applicable (operation banned) Not applicable Not applicable None
      Online Gambling Not applicable (operation banned) Not applicable Not applicable None
      National Lottery (Government-sponsored) Not subject to standard commercial tax Government-directed Government-controlled Operates for community funding
       

      Prohibited Individuals

      Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements

      • Gambians are strictly prohibited from participating in gambling activities at casinos. It is an offense under the law for a Gambian citizen to gamble, with penalties including fines and possible imprisonment.
      • There are no explicit details available regarding the minimum age for non-Gambians or tourists, but the general ban on gambling for Gambians serves as a de facto restriction for the local population.
      • Identification checks are required to enforce the prohibition on Gambian citizens gambling, particularly at casinos and betting establishments.

      Prohibited Activities and Game Restrictions

      • All forms of gambling—including casinos, lotteries, and sports betting parlors—are subject to a comprehensive ban. This ban applies to both land-based and online gambling activities.
      • Government-sponsored games, such as the national lottery, may be exempt from the general prohibition, but these are strictly controlled and not open to the general public for gambling purposes.
      • Gambians are not permitted to gamble in any form; only foreign tourists may be allowed access to certain gambling venues, subject to government approval.

      Advertising and Marketing Limitations

      • There is a blanket prohibition on the advertising and promotion of gambling activities within The Gambia.
      • Operators are not permitted to market gambling services to Gambian citizens under any circumstances.
      • Any form of public promotion or inducement to gamble is strictly forbidden, especially targeting minors or vulnerable groups.

      Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection Measures

      • Due to the near-total ban on gambling, there are minimal formal responsible gambling programs or player protection frameworks in place for the general population.
      • The primary player protection measure is the outright prohibition of gambling for Gambians, enforced through fines and imprisonment for violators.
      • Operators, where permitted for tourists, are expected to enforce strict identification checks to prevent access by Gambian citizens.
      • There is an absence of structured self-exclusion programs, counseling services, or problem gambling support mechanisms, as the regulatory focus is on prohibition rather than harm reduction.

      Geographic and Location Restrictions

      • Gambling venues, such as casinos, are limited in number and primarily operate with government permission, usually catering exclusively to foreign tourists.
      • There are restrictions on the establishment of gambling venues in areas accessible to the general Gambian population, with enforcement focused on preventing local participation.
      • Betting shops and casinos are not permitted to accept Gambian customers, regardless of their location within the country.
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        Timeline

        Year/Date Event
        1963 The Gambia enacts its first major gambling legislation, the Betting and Gaming Act, establishing the legal framework for betting and gaming activities.
        1994 President Yahya Jammeh comes to power, marking a new era of political leadership that would later influence gambling policy.
        Early 2000s Government authorizes the operation of several betting companies and the national lottery, primarily targeting tourists and expatriates.
        2015-03-03 The Gambian government announces an immediate and total ban on all gambling activities, including casinos, lotteries, and sports betting parlors.
        2015-03-07 President Yahya Jammeh officially proclaims all forms of gambling illegal in The Gambia, reinforcing the nationwide ban.
        2023 Enforcement of the Betting and Gaming Act continues, making it an offense for Gambian citizens to gamble at casinos or betting centers, although reports indicate that these laws are rarely enforced in practice.

        Requirements

        Software Certification and Technical Standards Requirements

        • There are currently no publicly available or enforced technical standards or software certification requirements for gambling operators in Gambia. The regulatory environment is marked by a blanket ban on all forms of gambling, including casinos, lotteries, and sports betting. As a result, no formal framework exists for the certification or testing of gaming software.

        Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location Requirements

        • No specific data protection or privacy requirements for gambling operators are established in Gambia due to the prohibition of gambling activities. There are no guidelines regarding the storage, processing, or transfer of player data for gambling businesses.
        • No server location requirements are stipulated for gambling operators, as the operation of such businesses is not permitted under the current legal framework.

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

        • There are no defined AML or KYC procedures for gambling operators in Gambia, as all forms of gambling are officially banned. No regulatory body oversees or enforces AML or KYC compliance in the context of gaming operations.

        Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping Requirements

        • No financial reporting, auditing, or record-keeping requirements are in place for gambling operators in Gambia. The absence of a regulated gambling sector means there are no operational standards or obligations in these areas.

        Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools

        • There are no technical implementation requirements for responsible gambling tools, as all gambling operations are prohibited and no regulatory standards exist for such measures.

        Sources

        Primary Regulatory Authorities

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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