All forms of gambling, including online and land-based, are strictly prohibited throughout Somalia.
Somalia's gambling ban is rooted in Islamic law, which considers gambling a criminal and moral offense.
There is no licensing regime or regulatory authority for gambling operators in Somalia.
The Federal Government reinforced the gambling ban in November 2023, targeting both local and international operators.
Online gambling is unregulated, but low internet penetration limits its prevalence and enforcement.
The recent ban was partly motivated by efforts to combat financial crimes and align with anti-money laundering standards.
No taxation or official framework exists for gambling activities, as all such operations are illegal.
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Legislation
Primary Legislation
Gambling in Somalia is comprehensively prohibited under the country’s legal framework. The primary legal basis for this prohibition is rooted in the application of Islamic law (Sharia), which is strictly observed throughout Somalia and explicitly forbids all forms of gambling. This religious prohibition is reinforced by national laws and government directives that make all gambling activities illegal, including both land-based and online gambling.
In November 2023, the Federal Government of Somalia formalized this stance by issuing an explicit ban on all gambling activities within the country. This ban was announced and implemented by the National Anti-Money Laundering and Counterterrorism Financing Commission (NAMLC), reflecting the government’s commitment to ensuring that financial and social practices align with religious and legal norms. The ban specifically targets both domestic and foreign gambling operations, including well-known online platforms.
Sharia (Islamic Law): Forms the foundational legal basis for prohibiting gambling in Somalia.
Federal Government Ban (2023): Official government directive that prohibits all gambling activities, both online and offline, across the country.
Regulatory Authority
Oversight and enforcement of gambling prohibitions in Somalia are the responsibility of the Federal Government, with a lead role played by the National Anti-Money Laundering and Counterterrorism Financing Commission (NAMLC). This authority is tasked with issuing directives, monitoring compliance, and enforcing the national ban on gambling activities. There is no separate gambling regulatory body or licensing authority in Somalia due to the outright prohibition of gambling.
National Anti-Money Laundering and Counterterrorism Financing Commission (NAMLC): Issues directives, enforces the gambling ban, and ensures alignment with religious and legal standards.
Federal Government of Somalia: Provides overarching legal and regulatory authority for all gambling-related matters.
License Types
Gambling Licensing System in Somalia
Somalia does not have a gambling licensing system. All forms of gambling, including both land-based and online activities, are strictly prohibited throughout the country. The Federal Government of Somalia has instituted a comprehensive ban on gambling, with enforcement actions targeting both domestic and international operators. No licensing procedures, categories, or regulatory frameworks exist for gambling operations in Somalia.
Types of Licenses
There are currently no types of gambling licenses available for any gambling activities in Somalia, including casinos, sports betting, lotteries, or online gambling.
Application Process
There is no application process for gambling licenses, as all gambling activities are banned and no regulatory authority issues such permits.
Duration and Renewal Conditions
Since no licenses are issued, there are no provisions for license duration or renewal in Somalia.
Eligibility Criteria
There are no eligibility criteria for gambling operators, as licensing is not permitted under any circumstances.
Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements
There are no licensing costs, fees, or financial requirements associated with gambling operations in Somalia, due to the absolute prohibition on all forms of gambling.
Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining a License
There are no requirements or procedures for obtaining or maintaining a gambling license, as such licenses are not available under Somali law.
Gambling Tax
Gambling Taxation System in Somalia
Somalia does not have a taxation system for gambling operators. All forms of gambling, including online and land-based operations, are strictly prohibited under national law and Islamic principles. The government has explicitly banned all gambling activities, and there are no legal gambling operators present in the country.
Tax Rates for Gambling Operations
No tax rates exist for gambling operators, as all gambling activities are illegal and there is no legal basis for taxation.
Basis for Taxation
There is no taxation basis such as Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), turnover, or any other metric, since the operation of gambling businesses is entirely outlawed.
Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements
No tax reporting or payment procedures apply to gambling operators because legal gambling operations do not exist in Somalia.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions, or Special Provisions
There are no tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions for gambling operators, as all gambling is banned and unregulated.
Prohibited Individuals
Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements
There are no formal age restrictions or identification requirements for gambling in Somalia because all forms of gambling are completely prohibited. Since gambling is banned outright, there are no legal provisions specifying a minimum age for participation or requirements for player identification.
Prohibited Activities and Game Restrictions
All forms of gambling, including sports betting, casino games, lotteries, and online gambling, are strictly prohibited throughout Somalia.
Specific focus has been placed on banning online betting platforms such as 1XBET, with authorities explicitly stating that neither Somalis nor anyone else within the country is permitted to access or participate in gambling activities, whether online or offline.
There are no exceptions or legally permitted gambling activities; the prohibition is total and applies to all game types and formats.
Advertising and Marketing Limitations
Advertising or marketing of any gambling products or services is entirely forbidden in Somalia.
There are no legal gambling operators; thus, any promotion of gambling, including sponsorships, advertisements, or public endorsements, is not allowed.
Authorities have taken active measures to suppress the presence of gambling-related content, particularly targeting online platforms and websites accessible from within the country.
Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection Measures
There are no responsible gambling requirements or dedicated player protection measures, as all gambling is illegal and there is no regulated market.
The government’s approach to player protection is to enforce a total ban, aiming to prevent all forms of gambling-related harm by prohibiting access entirely.
Recent government actions have focused on blocking access to gambling sites and issuing public warnings as part of broader efforts to protect citizens from financial crime and align with cultural and religious values.
Geographic or Location Restrictions
Gambling is prohibited nationwide, with no regions or localities in Somalia where gambling is permitted or tolerated.
This ban applies equally to both land-based venues and online platforms, regardless of the operator’s location or the means of access.
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Timeline
Year/Date
Event
Pre-1991
Somalia, under various governments, generally prohibits gambling in accordance with Islamic law, but no formalized, modern gambling regulation exists.
1991
Collapse of the central government leads to prolonged political instability; no national regulatory framework for gambling is established or enforced.
2000s
Transitional governments continue to uphold the prohibition of gambling based on Islamic principles, with no legal gambling market or regulatory body formed.
2012
The Federal Government of Somalia is established, reaffirming the prohibition of gambling in alignment with Islamic law and national values.
November 16, 2023
The National Anti-Money Laundering & Countering Terrorist Financing Commission (NAMLC) formally announces a nationwide ban on all gambling activities, including online betting services such as 1XBET, citing religious, legal, and financial crime prevention reasons.
November 22-23, 2023
The Federal Government of Somalia enforces the ban on all gambling activities, making it clear that neither Somalis nor foreigners are permitted to gamble within the country or on international sites while in Somalia.
Requirements
Technical and Operational Requirements for Gambling Operators in Somalia
Currently, all forms of gambling—both online and land-based—are strictly prohibited in Somalia. The government enforces a complete ban on gambling activities, including sports betting and online casinos. This prohibition is rooted in the country’s adherence to Islamic law and reinforced by recent government actions and announcements. As a result, there are no legal gambling operators or regulatory frameworks in place for technical or operational compliance.
Software Certification and Technical Standards Requirements
No software certification or technical standards are established or recognized for gambling operators, as all gambling activities are illegal.
No regulatory body exists to approve, audit, or certify gambling software or platforms.
Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location Requirements
No specific data protection or privacy requirements are defined for gambling operators, as such operations are not permitted.
There are no rules regarding the physical location of servers or data centers for gambling-related activities.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures
Somalia’s National Anti-Money Laundering and Counterterrorism Financing Commission (NAMLC) has explicitly banned gambling to prevent financial crimes and align with religious and legal norms.
No AML or KYC procedures are specified for gambling operators, as no legal gambling operations are allowed.
Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping Requirements
No financial reporting, auditing, or record-keeping standards are defined for gambling operators, since such businesses are not permitted to operate legally.
Responsible Gambling Tools and Technical Implementation
No requirements or technical standards exist for responsible gambling tools, as all forms of gambling are banned and no legal operators are present in the market.
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.
