Gambling lacks a dedicated regulatory law and oversight; it is generally prohibited and not authorized via general business licensing under the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
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Regulatory AuthorityMauritanian Ministry of Economy and Finance
License CostVaries
Regulation by Activity Type
Casinos
Prohibited
Online Casinos
Prohibited
Betting
Prohibited
Online Betting
Prohibited
Lotteries
Prohibited
Poker
Prohibited
Highlights
All forms of traditional gambling are prohibited under Mauritanian law.
There is no specific regulatory authority overseeing gambling activities in Mauritania.
Online gambling is not explicitly regulated, creating a legal gray area for internet-based play.
No licensing framework exists for either land-based or online gambling operators.
Religious and cultural norms, rooted in Islamic law, strongly influence the prohibition of gambling.
There is no established taxation system for gambling winnings or operator revenues.
Players risk social and legal consequences, but enforcement is inconsistent, especially online.
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Legislation
Primary Legislation
Gambling in Mauritania is governed by a strict legal framework rooted in Islamic law. The primary legislation effectively prohibits all forms of gambling, as Mauritania is an Islamic republic and its legal system is based on Sharia law. There are no specific statutes or acts that regulate or permit gambling activities, either land-based or online. Instead, the prohibition is broad and general, stemming from the overarching application of Sharia, under which gambling is considered haram (forbidden). As a result, there are no legal provisions that allow for the operation or regulation of gambling businesses within the country. The law does not explicitly address online gambling, resulting in a legal gray area for digital gaming, but the overall stance remains prohibitive for all forms of gambling.
Regulatory Authority
There is no dedicated regulatory authority overseeing gambling in Mauritania. Oversight and enforcement of gambling prohibitions fall under the general jurisdiction of national law enforcement and judicial authorities, who are responsible for upholding the principles of Sharia law as mandated by the country’s constitution and legal system. No specialized gambling commission or regulatory agency exists.
Enforcement of the prohibition on gambling activities
Oversight of compliance with Sharia law regarding all forms of gambling
License Types
Gambling Licensing System in Mauritania
Mauritania does not maintain an established or formalized gambling licensing system for either land-based or online gambling activities. The country’s legal framework does not provide for the issuance of gambling licenses, and there are no official procedures, authorities, or published requirements for obtaining or maintaining such licenses.
Types of Licenses Available
There are currently no official types of gambling licenses available for any gambling activities in Mauritania, including casinos, betting, lottery, or online gambling.
Application Process
No formal application process exists for gambling operators, as no licenses are issued by Mauritanian authorities.
There are no regulatory bodies or government agencies tasked with processing gambling license applications.
Duration and Renewal Conditions
Since there is no licensing system, there are no provisions regarding license duration, renewal, or expiration.
Eligibility Criteria
No eligibility criteria are defined for gambling operators, as licensing is not available.
Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements
No fees, financial guarantees, or capital requirements are established for gambling licensing, as no such system exists in Mauritania.
Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining a License
There are no published requirements or ongoing compliance obligations for gambling operators, as no licenses are issued or maintained.
Gambling Tax
Gambling Tax Rates in Mauritania
Currently, Mauritania does not have a formalized or published taxation system specifically for gambling operators. There is no evidence of established tax rates for different types of gambling operations, either online or land-based, due to the prevailing prohibition and lack of regulatory framework for gambling activities in the country. The influence of Islamic law leads to a general ban on gambling, and as such, no official tax regime exists for operators.
Basis for Taxation
There is no official basis for gambling taxation, such as Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), turnover, or any other metric, as gambling operations are not formally recognized or regulated.
Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements
No tax reporting or payment procedures are established for gambling operators, as there is no legal mechanism for licensing or regulating such businesses.
Operators, whether local or foreign, are not subject to any specific gambling-related tax obligations in Mauritania.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions
There are no tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions for gambling operators, as the sector is not officially recognized or taxed under Mauritanian law.
Prohibited Individuals
Age Restrictions
There is no officially established minimum age for gambling in Mauritania, as gambling is generally prohibited. As a result, there are no formal identification requirements or age verification procedures for players, since legal gambling activities are not recognized or regulated.
Prohibited Activities
All forms of gambling, including land-based casinos, sports betting, lotteries, and online gambling, are prohibited in Mauritania.
There are no exceptions for specific types of games or gambling activities; the prohibition is comprehensive and applies to both physical and digital formats.
Online gambling is also considered illegal, even though the law may not explicitly mention it; authorities interpret the general prohibition to include all forms of remote gambling.
Advertising and Marketing Limitations
Advertising or marketing of any gambling products or services is strictly forbidden.
No gambling-related promotions, sponsorships, or public communications are permitted within the country.
Operators and individuals found promoting gambling activities may face legal consequences.
Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection Measures
No formal responsible gambling measures or player protection requirements are established, as all gambling activities are prohibited.
There are no self-exclusion programs, limits on betting, or mandatory information for players regarding risks, since legal gambling operations do not exist.
Geographic or Location Restrictions
There are no designated zones or permitted locations for gambling venues; all gambling establishments are banned throughout Mauritania.
Operating or attempting to establish a gambling venue anywhere in the country is illegal.
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Timeline
Year/Date
Event
1960
Mauritania gains independence; Islamic law becomes a foundation for national legislation, influencing early attitudes toward gambling.
Late 1970s
Islamic law is further entrenched in the legal system, reinforcing prohibitions against gambling activities.
2001
No specific gambling legislation exists; gambling remains generally prohibited under broad interpretations of Islamic law.
2010s
Despite the absence of dedicated gambling laws, some informal gambling operations reportedly emerge, but remain unregulated and largely underground.
2020
Mauritania does not have a dedicated gambling regulatory authority; gambling activities are subject to general business laws and registration with the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
2024
Online gambling and land-based gambling remain generally prohibited by default, with no specific legal framework or regulatory body in place.
Requirements
Software Certification and Technical Standards Requirements
There are currently no specific software certification or technical standards requirements for gambling operators in Mauritania, as the country does not have a formal regulatory framework for gambling operations, either land-based or online.
No official body exists to approve, test, or certify gambling software for fairness, randomness, or integrity.
Operators are not subject to any mandatory technical audits or compliance checks regarding their gaming systems or platforms.
Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location Requirements
Mauritania does not have established data protection laws or privacy regulations specifically targeting gambling operators.
There are no statutory requirements regarding the storage, processing, or protection of player data for gambling businesses.
No obligations exist for operators to locate servers within Mauritania or to comply with any specific data residency requirements.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures
No dedicated AML or KYC procedures are mandated for gambling operators in Mauritania.
Operators are not required by local law to verify player identities, monitor transactions, or report suspicious activities related to gambling.
There are no technical specifications for the implementation of AML or KYC systems within gambling platforms.
Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping Requirements
There are no formal financial reporting or auditing obligations for gambling operators in Mauritania.
No requirements exist for maintaining or submitting operational records, transaction logs, or financial statements to any regulatory authority.
Operators are not subject to any periodic or ad hoc audits regarding their gambling activities.
Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools
No technical or operational requirements are in place for the implementation of responsible gambling tools in Mauritania.
Operators are not mandated to provide self-exclusion, deposit limits, or other player protection features on their platforms.
There are no standards for the integration, monitoring, or reporting of responsible gambling measures.
Sources
Primary Regulatory Authorities
No dedicated official gambling regulatory authority or government body for gambling regulation currently exists in Mauritania.
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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.
