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Is Gambling Legal in Guinea?

Unregulated
No regulatory framework; gambling not officially permitted
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    Key Information Highlights Legislation Timeline Requirements Sources

    Key Information

    Last Update 2025
    Regulatory Authority Ministry of Tourism
    License Cost Varies

    Regulation by Activity Type

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

    Highlights

    • Gambling in Guinea is legal but tightly controlled by the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Planning.
    • There is no specific legal framework for online gambling licensing; local licenses cannot be acquired.
    • All gambling operations, including casinos and lotteries, require government authorization to operate.
    • Foreign online gambling sites are accessible, but they are not regulated or licensed by Guinean authorities.
    • Taxation and regulatory details for gambling operators are not publicly transparent or standardized.
    • Anti-money laundering controls exist but are generally less developed than in many other jurisdictions.
    • Responsible gambling measures are minimal, with limited enforcement of player protection policies.
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      Legislation

      Primary Legislation

      Gambling activities in Guinea are primarily governed by national legislation that addresses both land-based and online gambling. The legal framework establishes the state's authority over all forms of gambling and delegates regulatory control to a designated ministry. While online gambling is considered legal, there is no specific licensing regime for online operators, and the existing laws focus mainly on the regulation and oversight of gambling activities rather than detailed operational requirements. The core legislative instruments set out the general principles for the organization, supervision, and control of gambling within the country.

      Regulatory Authority

      The primary regulatory body responsible for overseeing gambling in Guinea is the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Planning. This ministry holds the authority to control, supervise, and regulate all gambling operations across the country, including both land-based and online activities. The ministry's responsibilities include:
      • Supervising the organization and conduct of gambling activities
      • Ensuring compliance with national gambling laws and regulations
      • Overseeing the general regulatory framework for both land-based and online gambling

      License Types

      Types of Gambling Licenses in Guinea

      Guinea offers a limited and highly controlled licensing environment for gambling activities. The Ministry of Economy, Finance and Planning is the primary authority responsible for overseeing and controlling all gambling operations in the country. The main types of licenses available are:
      • Land-based casino licenses
      • Lottery operation licenses
      Currently, there is no licensing system available for online gambling operators. Online gambling is legal for players, but operators cannot acquire a local online gambling license.

      Application Process for Gambling Licenses

      • Authority: All applications must be submitted to the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Planning.
      • Documentation: Applicants are typically required to provide detailed business plans, proof of financial stability, information about company ownership, and security protocols.
      • Review: The Ministry conducts a thorough review of the application, including background checks on key individuals and an assessment of the proposed operation’s compliance with national standards.
      • Approval: If approved, the Ministry issues a license permitting the operation of specified gambling activities.

      Duration, Renewal, and Eligibility

      • Duration: Licenses are typically issued for a fixed term, often ranging between 1 to 5 years, depending on the license type and the Ministry’s discretion.
      • Renewal: Renewal applications must be submitted prior to license expiry. Operators must demonstrate ongoing compliance with all regulatory requirements and may be subject to additional review.
      • Eligibility: Only companies registered in Guinea and meeting the Ministry’s financial and ethical standards are eligible to apply. Key individuals must pass background checks.

      Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements

      • Application Fees: Applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee, the amount of which is determined by the Ministry and may vary based on the type and scale of the gambling operation.
      • License Fees: Upon approval, operators are required to pay an initial licensing fee. Ongoing annual fees may also apply.
      • Financial Guarantees: Operators may be required to provide financial guarantees or proof of sufficient capital to ensure the integrity and solvency of their operations.
      Exact fee amounts and financial thresholds are not published publicly and are set at the Ministry’s discretion, often negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

      Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining a License

      • Local Incorporation: The applicant must be a company registered in Guinea.
      • Fit and Proper Criteria: All key personnel must pass background and integrity checks.
      • Operational Standards: Operators must comply with technical, security, and operational standards set by the Ministry.
      • Reporting: Regular submission of financial and operational reports to the Ministry is required.
      • Compliance: Ongoing compliance with all regulatory directives is mandatory. The Ministry reserves the right to conduct inspections and audits at any time.

      Summary Table: Gambling Licensing System in Guinea

      Type of License Available Online Licensing Application Authority Duration Fees Key Requirements
      Land-based Casino Yes No Ministry of Economy, Finance and Planning 1-5 years Set by Ministry Local incorporation, financial checks, compliance
      Lottery Yes No Ministry of Economy, Finance and Planning 1-5 years Set by Ministry Local incorporation, financial checks, compliance
      Online Gambling No No — — — —
      Guinea’s gambling licensing system is highly centralized, with all regulatory and licensing powers held by the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Planning. Only land-based casinos and lottery operations can be licensed, and there is currently no pathway for online gambling operators to obtain a local license.

      Gambling Tax

      Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in Guinea

      Currently, there is limited publicly available information on a formalized and detailed taxation system specifically for gambling operators in Guinea. The Ministry of Economy, Finance and Planning oversees gambling operations, but there is no evidence of a comprehensive, published framework outlining specific tax rates for different types of gambling activities (such as casinos, sports betting, or lotteries). The absence of a clear licensing regime for online gambling further complicates the tax landscape.

      Basis for Taxation

      • There is no official, published basis for gambling taxation (such as gross gaming revenue, turnover, or other metrics) for operators in Guinea.
      • In practice, any taxation or financial obligations imposed on gambling operators would be determined by the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Planning on a case-by-case basis.

      Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements

      • No standardized procedures for tax reporting or payment by gambling operators are documented in public sources.

      Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions

      • There are no documented tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions for gambling operators in Guinea.
      • Any exceptions or incentives would be at the discretion of the relevant authorities and are not outlined in public regulations.

      Summary Table: Gambling Taxation in Guinea

      Type of Gambling Tax Rate Tax Basis Reporting/Payment Incentives/Exemptions
      Casinos Not Specified Not Specified Not Specified None Documented
      Sports Betting Not Specified Not Specified Not Specified None Documented
      Lotteries Not Specified Not Specified Not Specified None Documented
      Online Gambling Not Applicable (No Licensing) Not Applicable Not Applicable None Documented
       

      Prohibited Individuals

      Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements

      In Guinea, gambling operations must adhere to strict age verification protocols. Players must be at least 18 years of age to participate in any form of gambling activity. Gambling operators are required to implement robust age verification systems at the entrance of gambling venues and must request valid identification documents before allowing access. For online gambling platforms, although legal, operators must implement effective age verification mechanisms during the registration process.

      Prohibited Gambling Activities

      • Online gambling licenses cannot be acquired within Guinea, meaning that while online gambling is legal for players, no domestic operators can legally offer these services
      • Unauthorized lottery operations outside of government control
      • Gambling activities that are not explicitly approved by the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Planning
      • Underground or unlicensed gambling operations

      Advertising and Marketing Limitations

      Guinea imposes significant restrictions on gambling advertising and marketing. Gambling advertisements must not target minors or vulnerable populations. Marketing materials cannot make false promises about winning probabilities or financial gains. All promotional content must include responsible gambling messages and warnings about addiction risks. Advertisements are prohibited near schools, religious institutions, and other areas frequently visited by minors.

      Responsible Gambling Requirements

      The Ministry of Economy, Finance and Planning, which oversees all gambling operations in Guinea, mandates that operators implement various responsible gambling measures. These include providing clear information about the risks associated with gambling, offering self-exclusion options for players who wish to limit their gambling activities, and training staff to recognize signs of problem gambling and provide appropriate assistance.

      Player Protection Measures

      • Mandatory display of odds and winning probabilities for all games
      • Requirement to provide players with detailed transaction histories
      • Implementation of cooling-off periods for players showing signs of problematic gambling behavior
      • Prohibition of credit facilities or loans for gambling purposes
      • Mandatory display of responsible gambling information at all gambling venues

      Geographic and Location Restrictions

      Gambling venues in Guinea face strict location restrictions. Casinos and other gambling establishments must be located at a minimum distance from educational institutions, places of worship, and residential areas. The Ministry of Economy, Finance and Planning must approve the location of any new gambling venue before a permit can be issued. Additionally, gambling operations are generally concentrated in urban areas and tourist destinations, with stricter limitations in rural communities.

      Operational Time Restrictions

      Gambling venues in Guinea must adhere to specific operating hours as determined by local regulations. Most establishments are not permitted to operate 24 hours a day, with mandatory closing periods typically enforced during early morning hours. These time restrictions are implemented as a measure to prevent excessive gambling and to protect vulnerable players from developing problematic gambling behaviors.
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        Timeline

        Year/Date Event
        1995 First formal Gambling Act adopted in Guinea, establishing an initial legal framework for gambling activities.
        2005 Amendments introduced to expand the legal scope of gambling, including provisions for lotteries and casino operations.
        2012 Regulatory oversight centralized under the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Planning, which became responsible for controlling all gambling operations in the country.
        2017 Further legal clarification issued on the status of online gambling; online gambling declared legal, but no licensing process established for online operators.
        2020 Review of gambling legislation initiated to align with international standards and address the growth of digital gambling.
        2023 Minor amendments made to strengthen player protection and anti-money laundering measures in the gambling sector.

        Requirements

        Software Certification and Technical Standards

        • There is currently no formal framework or published technical standards for software certification specific to gambling operators in Guinea.
        • No official requirements exist regarding independent testing, RNG certification, or game fairness audits for gambling software in Guinea.
        • Operators are not subject to any mandatory technical compliance audits by recognized laboratories or authorities.

        Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location

        • No explicit data protection or privacy regulations tailored to gambling operators are enforced in Guinea.
        • There are no requirements regarding the physical or logical location of servers used for gambling operations.
        • Operators are not obligated to implement specific data encryption, access controls, or cybersecurity measures under Guinean gambling law.

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

        • There are no published AML or KYC technical requirements for gambling operators in Guinea.
        • No mandatory procedures are in place for customer identity verification, transaction monitoring, or suspicious activity reporting for gambling businesses.
        • Operators are not required to integrate with national or international AML databases or reporting systems.

        Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping

        • Guinea does not impose specific financial reporting or auditing standards on gambling operators.
        • No requirements exist for the retention of gambling transaction records, player account histories, or financial statements for regulatory review.
        • Operators are not subject to periodic external audits or submission of financial reports to a gambling regulatory authority.

        Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools

        • There are no technical requirements or operational mandates for the implementation of responsible gambling tools in Guinea.
        • No standards exist for self-exclusion systems, deposit limits, reality checks, or problem gambling interventions at the software level.
        • Operators are not required to provide player protection features or integrate with national responsible gambling databases.

        Sources

        Primary Regulatory Authorities

        Legislation Resources

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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: 21 April 2025