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Is Gambling Legal in South Sudan?

Partially Regulated
South Sudan imposes taxes and fees on gambling and lotteries, but lacks a comprehensive regulatory framework or dedicated authority.
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    Key Information Highlights Legislation Timeline Requirements Sources

    Key Information

    Last Update 2025
    Regulatory Authority No dedicated regulatory authority
    License Cost Varies

    Regulation by Activity Type

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

    Highlights

    • South Sudan currently lacks a comprehensive gambling regulatory framework or dedicated gambling legislation.
    • Lawmakers are actively working on drafting laws to regulate gambling activities and companies in the country.
    • The Financial Act 2024/2025 introduced a 10% excise tax and a 24% gross gaming tax on lottery and gaming operations.
    • There is no formal licensing authority or established process for gambling operators at present.
    • Gambling activities, including land-based casinos, operate in a legal grey area due to absent or evolving regulation.
    • Online gambling is not specifically regulated or restricted, resulting in a largely unregulated market.
    • The government is encouraging growth in hospitality and tourism, indirectly supporting gambling-related businesses.
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      Legislation

      Primary Legislation

      Currently, South Sudan does not have a comprehensive or dedicated national law specifically governing gambling activities. There is no enacted Gambling Act or equivalent legislation in force that provides a legal framework for the regulation of gambling, betting, casinos, or lotteries in the country. The legal environment remains largely unregulated, with no clear statutory provisions addressing the operation, prohibition, or oversight of gambling activities. While there have been recent discussions and initiatives by lawmakers to introduce regulatory measures for gambling, as of now, no formal legislation has been passed or implemented.

      Regulatory Authority

      At present, South Sudan does not have an established regulatory authority or government body tasked with the oversight, supervision, or enforcement of gambling laws. The absence of a specific legal framework means there are no official agencies or commissions responsible for monitoring gambling activities, issuing regulations, or ensuring compliance within the sector. Legislative efforts to create such an authority are ongoing, but no official regulatory structure exists as of the latest available information.
      • No designated government agency for gambling oversight
      • No statutory powers or responsibilities assigned for gambling regulation

      License Types

      Types of Gambling Licenses Available in South Sudan

      As of April 2025, South Sudan does not have a formal, comprehensive gambling licensing system in place. There are no specific types of licenses officially established for different gambling activities such as casinos, sports betting, lotteries, or online gambling. The government has not yet enacted detailed regulations or a structured licensing framework for gambling operators.

      Application Process

      • There is currently no official application process for obtaining gambling licenses in South Sudan.
      • No government body or regulatory authority has been designated to accept, review, or issue gambling licenses.
      • No published procedures, forms, or submission requirements exist for prospective operators.

      Duration, Renewal, and Eligibility

      • No information is available regarding the duration or renewal conditions for gambling licenses, as no such licenses are formally issued.
      • Eligibility criteria for applicants have not been defined by any regulatory framework.

      Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements

      • There are no published licensing fees, application charges, or financial requirements for gambling operators, as no official licensing system exists.
      • Some recent legislation has introduced taxes and fees on lottery and gaming activities, but these relate to taxation rather than licensing costs.

      Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining Licenses

      • No specific requirements have been set out for obtaining or maintaining a gambling license in South Sudan.
      • There are no compliance, reporting, or operational standards mandated by law for licensed operators, as no such licenses are currently granted.

      Current Developments

      • South Sudanese lawmakers have discussed the need to regulate gambling and are in the process of considering relevant legislation. However, as of the latest available information, no comprehensive regulatory or licensing regime has been enacted.
      Summary Table
      Aspect Status in South Sudan
      Types of Licenses Not defined
      Application Process Not established
      Duration/Renewal Not applicable
      Eligibility Not specified
      Licensing Costs/Fees Not published
      Key Requirements Not set forth
      At present, there is no formalized gambling licensing system in South Sudan. Prospective operators should closely monitor legislative developments, as efforts to introduce regulation and a licensing framework are ongoing.

      Gambling Tax

      Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in South Sudan

      The South Sudan Financial Act 2024/2025 introduced specific taxation measures for gambling operators. The key tax rates applicable to gambling and lottery activities are as follows:
      Type of Tax Applicable Rate Basis of Taxation
      Gross Gaming Tax 24% Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR)
      Excise Tax 10% Turnover (total stakes/wagers)

      Basis for Taxation

      • Gross Gaming Tax: Calculated as 24% of the operator’s Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), which is defined as the total amount wagered by players minus the total amount paid out in winnings.
      • Excise Tax: Levied at 10% on the total turnover, meaning the total value of stakes or bets placed by players, regardless of winnings paid out.

      Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements

      • Gambling operators are required to register with the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) for tax purposes.
      • Taxes must be calculated and remitted on a monthly basis, in accordance with the reporting schedule set by the SSRA.
      • Operators must submit detailed tax returns, including records of total wagers, winnings paid, and calculation of both GGR and turnover, supporting the amounts declared for Gross Gaming Tax and Excise Tax.
      • Payment of taxes is due by the deadline specified in the monthly tax calendar, and late payment may result in penalties or interest as prescribed by the SSRA.

      Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions

      • The Financial Act 2024/2025 does not provide for any specific tax incentives, exemptions, or reduced rates for gambling operators. All licensed operators are subject to the standard rates for both Gross Gaming Tax and Excise Tax.
      • There are currently no publicly available provisions for tax holidays, sector-specific deductions, or special regimes for certain types of gambling activities.

      Prohibited Individuals

      Age Restrictions

      There are currently no formal, nationwide age restrictions or mandatory identification requirements specifically enforced for gambling activities in South Sudan. The absence of comprehensive gambling regulation means that operators may set their own policies, but there is no official minimum legal gambling age mandated by the government.

      Prohibited Activities

      • There are no explicit prohibitions on specific types of gambling activities in South Sudan. Most forms of gambling, including casino games, sports betting, and lotteries, are accessible and not formally restricted by law.
      • Online gambling is not regulated, and there are no official restrictions or bans on internet-based gambling platforms.
      • No specific games are banned or subject to unique limitations by the authorities.

      Advertising and Marketing Limitations

      • There are currently no detailed laws or regulations governing the advertising and marketing of gambling products or services in South Sudan.
      • Operators are not subject to official restrictions on how or where they can advertise gambling, including digital, print, or broadcast media.
      • No requirements exist for responsible gambling messaging or warnings in advertising content.

      Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection Measures

      • No mandatory responsible gambling requirements are enforced by the government or regulatory authorities.
      • Operators are not legally required to provide player protection tools such as self-exclusion, deposit limits, or access to problem gambling support services.
      • There are no government-sponsored programs or helplines dedicated to gambling addiction prevention or treatment.
      • No formal systems are in place for monitoring or intervening in cases of excessive or harmful gambling behavior.

      Geographic or Location Restrictions

      • There are no national geographic or location-based restrictions on where gambling venues may operate in South Sudan.
      • Physical casinos and gambling establishments, such as those in Juba, operate without official zoning or distance requirements from sensitive locations like schools or religious sites.
      • There are no restrictions on the operation of gambling venues in specific regions or cities within the country.
      In summary, South Sudan currently lacks comprehensive restrictions and player protection requirements for gambling operations. The regulatory environment is largely undeveloped, and most limitations or safeguards common in other jurisdictions are not present.
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        Timeline

        Year/Date Event
        2011 South Sudan gains independence; no dedicated gambling legislation is established, and the sector remains largely unregulated.
        2012–2022 Gambling activities, including casinos and betting, operate without a formal legal framework or regulatory oversight in South Sudan.
        June 2023 South Sudanese Members of Parliament initiate efforts to draft and enact laws to regulate gambling activities in the country for the first time.
        November 25, 2024 The South Sudan Financial Act 2024/2025 is assented into law, introducing significant changes to the financial and taxation landscape, including implications for the gambling sector.
        December 2, 2024 The South Sudan Financial Act 2024/2025 comes into effect, marking the first time gambling-related taxation and regulatory measures are formally operationalized in the country.

        Requirements

        Software Certification and Technical Standards Requirements

        • There are currently no specific, codified technical standards or software certification requirements for gambling operators in South Sudan. The country lacks a formal regulatory framework governing the technical operation of gambling platforms, including requirements for independent testing, certification of random number generators (RNGs), or game fairness audits.
        • Brick-and-mortar establishments operating in South Sudan may voluntarily adhere to international best practices, but there is no legal mandate for compliance with particular technical standards.

        Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location Requirements

        • South Sudan does not have comprehensive data protection laws in force. There are no statutory requirements regarding the collection, processing, storage, or transfer of player data for gambling operators.
        • There is no designated data protection regulator and no legal obligation for gambling operators to host servers within South Sudan or to implement specific privacy measures beyond general business practices.

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

        • There are currently no specific AML or KYC technical requirements established for gambling operators in South Sudan. The absence of sector-specific regulation means there is no formal obligation to implement customer identity verification, transaction monitoring, or suspicious activity reporting protocols tailored to gambling operations.
        • Operators may choose to follow general anti-money laundering principles or international standards, but this is not mandated by law.

        Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping Requirements

        • There are no explicit technical or operational requirements for financial reporting, external auditing, or record-keeping specific to gambling operators in South Sudan.
        • Operators are generally subject to the broader requirements of the South Sudan Financial Act and any applicable tax regulations, but these do not prescribe detailed technical standards for gambling-specific financial controls or audit trails.

        Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools

        • There are no statutory requirements for the implementation of responsible gambling tools or features (such as self-exclusion, deposit limits, or reality checks) in South Sudan.
        • Any responsible gambling measures implemented by operators are voluntary and not subject to regulatory oversight or technical certification.

        Sources

        Primary Regulatory Authorities

        Contact Information

        • South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA): Phone: +211 922 000 000 Email: info@ssra.gov.ss Address: Ministries Road, Juba, South Sudan
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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