All forms of gambling are strictly prohibited in Libya under Articles 492-495 of the Penal Code.
There is no dedicated gambling regulatory authority or licensing framework in Libya.
Online gambling is explicitly illegal; both land-based and remote gambling activities are banned.
Libyan law is influenced by Sharia principles, which reinforce the total prohibition of gambling.
Penalties for illegal gambling can include imprisonment for up to one month or fines.
No specific gambling taxation or regulatory compliance requirements exist due to the total ban.
There have been no reported cases of prosecution for online gambling, but legal risks remain significant.
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Legislation
Primary Legislation
Gambling in Libya is strictly prohibited under Islamic law (Sharia) which forms the foundation of the country's legal system. The primary legislation governing gambling activities in Libya is the Libyan Penal Code, specifically Articles 492-495, which explicitly forbids all forms of gambling throughout the country. These articles establish gambling as an illegal activity and set forth the legal basis for enforcement against any gambling operations. The Penal Code does not distinguish between different types of gambling activities, applying a blanket prohibition that covers both traditional land-based gambling and online gambling platforms. While there is no specific standalone Gambling Act in Libya, the provisions within the Penal Code serve as the definitive legal framework regarding gambling activities.
Regulatory Authority
Libya does not maintain a dedicated gambling regulatory authority, as gambling is completely prohibited rather than regulated. Enforcement of anti-gambling laws falls under the jurisdiction of the general law enforcement agencies and the judicial system. The Ministry of Justice oversees the implementation of the Penal Code provisions related to gambling, while local police forces are responsible for the direct enforcement of these prohibitions. In the absence of a formal gambling commission or regulatory body, the court system handles cases involving violations of the gambling prohibitions established in the Penal Code.
Enforcement of Articles 492-495 of the Libyan Penal Code
Prosecution of individuals and entities involved in gambling activities
Interpretation and application of Sharia principles as they relate to gambling prohibitions
License Types
Gambling Licensing System in Libya
Libya does not have a gambling licensing system. All forms of gambling, including both land-based and online activities, are strictly prohibited under Libyan law. There is no regulatory authority or government body responsible for issuing gambling licenses, nor are there any procedures, requirements, or costs associated with obtaining a gambling license in Libya.
Types of Licenses Available
No licenses are available for any type of gambling activity in Libya, including casinos, sports betting, lotteries, or online gambling.
Application Processes
There is no application process for gambling licenses, as the activity is entirely banned and unregulated.
Duration, Renewal, and Eligibility
There are no provisions for license duration, renewal, or eligibility because no licensing framework exists.
Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements
No fees, costs, or financial requirements are set for gambling licenses, as no such licenses are issued.
Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining Licenses
There are no requirements or compliance obligations for gambling operators, as the operation of gambling activities is strictly illegal and unlicensed.
Gambling Tax
Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in Libya
There are no tax rates applicable to gambling operators in Libya. All forms of gambling, including both land-based and online operations, are strictly prohibited under Libyan law. As a result, there is no legal framework for the taxation of gambling activities, and no official tax rates exist for any type of gambling operation.
Basis for Taxation
There is no established basis for taxation such as Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), turnover, or any other metric, because gambling operations are not legally recognized or permitted.
Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements
No tax reporting or payment procedures exist for gambling operators in Libya.
There are no requirements for filing tax returns, making tax payments, or submitting reports related to gambling activities, as these activities are not permitted under Libyan law.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions
No tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions are available for gambling operators, since gambling is entirely banned and unregulated in Libya.
Prohibited Individuals
Age Restrictions
There are no formalized minimum age requirements for gambling in Libya because all forms of gambling are strictly prohibited. Since gambling is illegal under both national law and Islamic law, there are no legal provisions specifying an age at which individuals may participate in gambling activities.
Identification Requirements
Due to the blanket prohibition on gambling, there are no established identification or verification requirements for players. No regulated gambling venues or platforms exist that would require player identification or age verification.
Prohibited Activities
All forms of gambling are strictly prohibited, including both land-based and online gambling.
Specific prohibitions extend to casino games, sports betting, lotteries, poker, and any other games of chance or betting activities.
Engaging in gambling, whether in public places or online, is subject to criminal penalties, including potential imprisonment or fines.
There are no exceptions or legal forms of gambling permitted under Libyan law.
Advertising and Marketing Limitations
Advertising, promoting, or marketing any form of gambling is entirely forbidden.
There are no legal advertising channels for gambling operators, as the activity itself is illegal.
Any attempt to publicize gambling services may result in criminal liability.
Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection Measures
There are no responsible gambling requirements or player protection measures in place, as all gambling activity is banned.
No support services, self-exclusion programs, or harm minimization tools are available through official channels.
The absence of legal gambling venues means there are no mechanisms for addressing problem gambling or protecting vulnerable individuals.
Geographic or Location Restrictions
Gambling is prohibited throughout the entire territory of Libya, with no exceptions for specific regions or locations.
Both public and private venues are subject to the ban; gambling in any setting is illegal.
Online gambling is equally prohibited, with no legal websites or platforms permitted to operate within or target Libyan residents.
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Timeline
Year/Date
Event
1953
Libyan Penal Code is enacted, establishing the legal framework that includes the prohibition of gambling activities.
1969
After the coup led by Muammar Gaddafi, Libya adopts stricter Islamic principles, reinforcing the prohibition of gambling in line with Sharia law.
1970s
All forms of gambling, including casinos and betting shops, are closed as part of the government's broader campaign against Western influences and in adherence to Islamic law.
2000s
Enforcement of gambling prohibitions continues, with no legal gambling establishments operating in the country and no regulatory authority established for gambling.
Present
Gambling remains strictly prohibited under Articles 492-495 of the Libyan Penal Code, with both land-based and online gambling banned and punishable by fines or imprisonment.
Requirements
Technical and Operational Requirements for Gambling Operators in Libya
Currently, all forms of gambling, including online gambling, are strictly prohibited in Libya. There is no legal framework, regulatory authority, or licensing process for gambling operators. As a result, there are no technical or operational requirements established for gambling operators in Libya. This includes the absence of requirements for software certification, technical standards, data protection measures specific to gambling, server location, anti-money laundering procedures, KYC processes, financial reporting, auditing standards, record-keeping, or responsible gambling tools.
No software certification or technical standards for gambling platforms are defined or recognized by Libyan authorities.
No data protection, privacy, or server location requirements specific to gambling operations exist.
No anti-money laundering (AML) or know-your-customer (KYC) procedures are mandated for gambling operators.
No financial reporting, auditing, or record-keeping obligations are set for gambling-related activities.
No technical implementation requirements for responsible gambling tools are in place.
Sources
Primary Regulatory Authorities
No dedicated gambling regulatory authority or official government body for gambling oversight exists in Libya. All forms of gambling are prohibited under the Libyan Penal Code, and there is no official regulator for operators or players to contact.
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.
