Regulatory AuthorityMinistry of Economics and Finance
License CostVaries
Regulation by Activity Type
Casinos
Regulated
Online Casinos
Unregulated
Betting
Regulated
Online Betting
Regulated
Lotteries
Regulated
Poker
Regulated
Highlights
Gambling in Senegal is legal and regulated primarily by the Ministry of Economics and Finance.
Land-based casinos operate under strict licensing, but only a handful are officially authorized in the country.
Online gambling lacks specific regulation; players can access foreign sites without prosecution.
The main legal framework for online gambling is the Act of the Protection of Senegalese Consumers in Electronic Commerce.
There are no local online gambling operators; all online play is through international platforms.
Minors are strictly prohibited from gambling, with the legal age set at 18 or 21 depending on the venue.
Taxation and licensing requirements are clearer for land-based casinos, while online gambling remains largely unregulated.
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Legislation
Primary Legislation
Gambling activities in Senegal are primarily governed by general legal provisions rather than a comprehensive, dedicated gambling law. The main legislative framework includes:
The Act of the Protection of Senegalese Consumers in Electronic Commerce: This law provides the principal legal basis for regulating online gambling and electronic transactions, establishing consumer protections and general requirements for electronic commerce, which are applied to online gambling activities.
General Penal Code and Related Statutes: Land-based gambling, including casinos and betting, is permitted under specific provisions in the national legal framework. However, there is no single, consolidated gambling act regulating all forms of gambling. Instead, various decrees and statutes address different aspects of the sector, with land-based casinos operating under specific authorizations.
Regulatory Authority
The oversight and regulation of gambling in Senegal fall under the jurisdiction of the following authority:
Ministry of Economy and Finance: This ministry is the main regulatory body responsible for supervising both land-based and online gambling activities. It oversees compliance with relevant laws, issues authorizations for land-based casinos, and ensures consumer protection in electronic commerce as it relates to gambling.
License Types
Types of Gambling Licenses in Senegal
Casino License: Required for operating land-based casinos. Senegal currently authorizes a limited number of casino operators, and each must obtain an individual license for their premises.
Sports Betting License: Necessary for companies wishing to offer retail and/or online sports betting services. This covers both physical betting shops and digital platforms.
Lottery License: Issued for the operation of national or regional lottery games, including instant win and draw-based products.
Other Gaming Licenses: May include licenses for gaming machines, bingo, and other forms of regulated gambling, subject to approval by the regulatory authority.
Application Process for Gambling Licenses
All gambling licenses in Senegal are issued and overseen by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, specifically through its designated gaming commission or regulatory department.
Applicants must submit a formal application, including detailed business plans, proof of financial capacity, and information on company ownership and management.
Background checks are conducted on key personnel and shareholders to ensure suitability and integrity.
Technical documentation regarding gaming systems, security protocols, and responsible gambling measures must be provided.
Physical site inspections (for land-based operations) are required before final approval.
Duration, Renewal, and Eligibility
Licenses are typically issued for a fixed term, commonly ranging from 5 to 10 years, depending on the type of license and specific terms set by the regulator.
Renewal applications must be submitted before the expiry of the current license, demonstrating continued compliance with regulatory standards and financial obligations.
Eligibility is restricted to legal entities registered in Senegal, with requirements for local representation and sometimes minimum levels of Senegalese ownership or partnership.
Licensing Costs, Fees, and Financial Requirements
Application Fees: A non-refundable application fee is charged, varying by license type and scope of operation.
License Fees: Upon approval, operators must pay an initial licensing fee, which may differ for casinos, betting shops, or lottery operators.
Annual Renewal Fees: Ongoing annual fees are required to maintain the license, with amounts set by the regulatory authority.
Financial Guarantees: Operators may be required to provide a financial guarantee or security deposit to ensure compliance and player protection.
Minimum Capital: Proof of minimum capital or financial reserves is often required, particularly for casino and large-scale betting operations.
Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining a License
Demonstration of robust internal controls, anti-money laundering procedures, and responsible gambling policies.
Submission of regular reports to the regulator, including financial statements and player protection measures.
Adherence to technical standards for gaming equipment and software, subject to periodic audits.
Maintenance of secure and transparent record-keeping systems.
Ongoing cooperation with regulatory inspections and investigations.
Summary Table: Senegal Gambling Licensing System
License Type
Application Fee
Duration
Renewal
Key Requirements
Casino
Varies (set by regulator)
5-10 years
Yes, with compliance review
Financial capacity, local registration, site inspection
Sports Betting
Varies
5-10 years
Yes
Business plan, technical systems, responsible gaming
Lottery
Varies
5-10 years
Yes
Financial guarantees, compliance reporting
Gambling Tax
Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in Senegal
Senegal applies specific tax rates to different types of gambling operations, primarily focusing on land-based casinos, sports betting, and lotteries. The tax system is structured as follows:
Type of Gambling Operation
Tax Rate
Basis for Taxation
Land-based Casinos
15% - 25%
Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR)
Sports Betting Operators
15%
Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR)
Lotteries
10% - 15%
Turnover or GGR (depending on specific lottery type)
The exact rate within the given ranges may depend on the size of the operation, location, and specific agreements with the regulatory authority.
Basis for Taxation
Most gambling taxes in Senegal are calculated based on Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), which is the difference between the total amount wagered and the total amount paid out to players as winnings.
For some lottery products, taxes may be assessed on turnover (total stakes received).
Tax Reporting and Payment Procedures
Gambling operators are required to file regular tax returns, typically on a monthly or quarterly basis, detailing their GGR or turnover, depending on the type of gambling activity.
Tax payments must be made to the Senegalese tax authorities by the deadline specified in the relevant tax code or as stipulated in the operator’s license agreement.
Operators must maintain accurate records of all bets, payouts, and other relevant financial transactions for audit and compliance purposes.
Failure to report or pay gambling taxes on time can result in penalties, interest charges, and potential suspension of the operator’s license.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions
There are currently no broad-based tax exemptions for gambling operators in Senegal.
In limited cases, newly established operators or those investing in specific regions may be eligible for temporary tax relief or reduced rates as part of investment promotion initiatives. These are granted on a case-by-case basis and require approval from the relevant authorities.
There are no special provisions for online gambling operators, as the regulatory and tax framework for online gambling remains underdeveloped. Most online gambling activity is either not taxed or not formally recognized by the authorities.
Prohibited Individuals
Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements
The minimum legal age for participating in gambling activities in Senegal is generally 18 years old, though for some venues or activities the age requirement may be set at 21. Operators are required to verify the age of players to prevent minors from accessing gambling services. Identification checks are mandatory both for entry into land-based casinos and for registration on online gambling platforms. This is enforced to ensure compliance with age restrictions and to support responsible gambling practices.
Prohibited Gambling Activities and Game Restrictions
Minors (individuals under the legal age) are strictly prohibited from participating in any form of gambling, both land-based and online.
There are limited explicit prohibitions on specific types of gambling activities; most traditional forms such as casino gaming, sports betting, and lotteries are permitted under regulated conditions.
Online gambling is not comprehensively regulated, but participation in unlicensed or unauthorized gambling operations may be restricted by operators.
Foreign online gambling platforms are accessible, but local operators must comply with existing consumer protection laws.
Advertising and Marketing Limitations
Advertising of gambling services must not target minors or vulnerable groups.
Marketing communications should not mislead about the chances of winning or encourage excessive or irresponsible gambling behavior.
Promotional materials must include clear messages about age restrictions and responsible gambling.
There are restrictions on the placement of gambling advertisements near schools, youth centers, or other locations frequented by minors.
Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection Measures
Operators are required to provide information on responsible gambling and offer resources for players seeking help with gambling-related problems.
Self-exclusion programs must be available, allowing players to voluntarily ban themselves from gambling venues or platforms for a specified period.
Operators must implement mechanisms to monitor player behavior and intervene in cases of suspected problem gambling.
Clear information about the risks of gambling, odds of winning, and available support services must be displayed prominently at gambling venues and on websites.
Consumer protection laws apply to both land-based and online gambling, ensuring fair treatment and recourse for players in disputes.
Geographic and Location Restrictions
Land-based casinos and gambling venues are typically located in designated urban areas and are subject to zoning regulations to prevent proximity to schools and areas with high concentrations of minors.
Online gambling is accessible throughout Senegal, but operators must ensure that access is restricted to eligible individuals based on age and identification requirements.
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Timeline
Year/Date
Event
1966
Senegal enacts its first laws regulating gambling, establishing a legal framework for land-based casinos and betting.
1986
The government introduces further regulations to oversee casino operations and betting activities, aiming to strengthen state control and ensure responsible gambling practices.
2004
Senegal passes the Act of the Protection of Senegalese Consumers in Electronic Commerce, which becomes the primary legal reference for online gambling, though it does not specifically regulate online gaming.
2010s
Growth in online gambling activity prompts regulatory discussions, but no comprehensive online gambling legislation is enacted; the sector remains largely unregulated except for general consumer protection laws.
2020s
The Ministry of Economics and Finance continues to act as the main authority overseeing gambling, with ongoing debates about updating and clarifying online gambling regulations.
Requirements
Software Certification and Technical Standards
There is no comprehensive framework for software certification or detailed technical standards specifically for gambling operators in Senegal. The regulatory environment for online gambling is underdeveloped, and most technical requirements for software, random number generators (RNGs), and game fairness are not explicitly defined by local authorities.
Land-based casinos and betting operators may be subject to general consumer protection and electronic commerce standards, but these do not constitute formal gambling-specific technical regulations.
Operators are expected to ensure that their platforms are secure, reliable, and fair, but there are no mandatory independent testing or certification requirements enforced by Senegalese authorities at this time.
Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location
Senegal applies the Act of the Protection of Senegalese Consumers in Electronic Commerce, which imposes general obligations regarding the protection of personal data for all electronic commerce activities, including gambling.
Operators must implement reasonable measures to safeguard player data, prevent unauthorized access, and ensure privacy. However, there are no explicit requirements for server location or data residency for gambling operators.
No specific technical standards for encryption, data retention, or cybersecurity are mandated for gambling operators beyond general e-commerce obligations.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures
Senegalese gambling operators are subject to general anti-money laundering laws applicable to financial and commercial entities, requiring them to monitor transactions for suspicious activity and report accordingly.
KYC procedures are expected to be in place, including age verification and identity checks to prevent underage gambling and to identify customers for AML compliance. However, there are no detailed technical specifications or prescribed methods for KYC in the gambling sector.
Operators should maintain records of customer identification and transaction history as part of their AML obligations, but there are no sector-specific technological requirements for these processes.
Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping
Operators are generally required to maintain accurate financial records and comply with standard accounting and auditing principles as applicable to commercial enterprises in Senegal.
There are no specific technical or operational standards for financial reporting or independent auditing tailored to the gambling industry.
Record-keeping requirements follow general commercial law, with no additional gambling-specific mandates for the retention period or format of operational data.
Responsible Gambling Tools and Technical Implementation
There are no explicit technical requirements or mandatory responsible gambling tools (such as self-exclusion, deposit limits, or reality checks) prescribed by Senegalese authorities for gambling operators.
Operators are encouraged to implement responsible gambling features in line with general consumer protection principles, but the implementation and technical standards are not regulated or enforced by law.
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.
