Countries in Africa take a varied stance towards gambling and crypto regulation, ranging from those that regulate both or at least one of them to those that ban them altogether.
The following map and article contain a complete overview of crypto gambling regulations across Africa, including information about the markets, the incumbent and pending laws, and more.
Map View
Disclaimer: This map is not intended to serve as legal advice. There are countries that don’t offer details about crypto gambling regulations. Therefore, we can’t guarantee that the information presented on the map is correct at all times.
Gambling regulations are susceptible to change at any time — for the most up-to-date information, please consult a jurisdictional advisory and legal team.
Algeria
Status: Illegal
Considering that 98% of Algerians are Muslim, all forms of gambling are illegal in the country. However, betting at horse racetracks, although outlawed, still takes place.
Also, offshore operators still get access to the market, and Pari Sportif Algériene (PSA) has been granted a license to run some betting pools. Holding and trading in cryptocurrency is also illegal in Algeria.
Angola
Status: Legal
Remote online gambling in Angola, including online casinos and sportsbooks, is regulated based on Presidential Decree No. 131/20 of May 11th.
Previous laws that regulate gambling in Angola include the aw number 5/16, of May 17th, also called Gaming Activity Law (LAJ), and the Presidential Decrees n.º141/17, of June 23rd and 139/17 of June 22nd, that approve the Regulations for Games of Fortune or Chance (such as Roulette, Poker, etc.) and Social Games (such as Lottery, Sports Betting, etc.)
All gambling activities in the country are licensed and regulated by the Gambling Supervision Institute (Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos).
Cryptocurrencies are not legal tender for gambling, and the country is currently working on a comprehensive set of laws and regulations for crypto assets and banning mining.
Benin
Status: Legal (state monopoly)
Despite its small size, Benin is a giant country when it comes to regulating gambling. According to the 2002 Gambling Law (loi N° 2002-28 du 29 mars 2001 portant réglementation des Jeux de Hasard, d’argent et de Paris en république du Bénin).
Gambling in all of its forms is technically a monopoly of the state, but cooperation with private companies is permitted. However, cryptocurrencies don’t enjoy the same lenience from the government as all trading and dealing in cryptocurrencies is banned in Bening.
Botswana
Status: Legal
Gambling in Botswana is legal, including casino, sports betting, bingo, lotteries, and other forms, as per the 2012 Gambling Act that repealed the previous Lotteries and Betting Act and the Casino Act. In 2016, the Botswana Gambling Authority released amended regulations, but no explicit mention of online gambling has been provided.
Therefore, it can be assumed that players can access offshore gambling platforms without fearing legal persecution.
Botswana also regulated digital asset trading under The Virtual Assets Bill, but cryptos are not accepted as legal tender in the country.
Burkina Faso
Status: Legal
Burking Faso has legalized all forms of gambling, although its regulatory framework is not as comprehensive.
Namely, Ordinances no. 67025 of 1967 and no. 8443 of 1984 allowed the National Lottery ( LONAB) to offer sports betting, and the Lottery holds a monopoly over the verticals still. Online gambling is not explicitly mentioned in any of the bills.
At the meeting of ECOWAS in 2021, Burkina Faso cautioned against the use of cryptocurrencies, and the country is yet to offer a regulatory framework for virtual assets.
Burundi
Status: Illegal
All forms of gambling in Burundi are illegal, as per the country’s 2008 Penal Code. Even though the law doesn’t mention online gambling, it’s presumed illegal. What’s more, Burundi banned all forms of cryptocurrency trading in 2019, forming a tough stance on digital assets.
Cabo Verde
Status: Legal
Cabo Verde made gambling legal in 2005, as per Law N0. 77/VI/2005. However, the focus of gambling regulations in Cabo Verde is on land-based gambling. There are no licensed online casinos in Cabo Verde, while online sports betting is the sole prerogative of Macau Legend.
There are no explicit laws about cryptocurrencies in Cabo Verde, but Cape Verde’s Central Bank (BCV) has shown interest in developing a digital currency based on blockchain technology.
Cameroon
Status: Legal
Cameron has legalized multiple forms of gambling, including online gambling, as per Law n°2015/012 of July 16th, 2015, and Décret N°2019/2300/PM.
The operation of online casinos, sports betting, and lotteries is allowed to all operators who hold a license from the Ministry of Territorial Administration. On the flip side, cryptocurrencies and their use and trading are not regulated in Cameroon.
Central African Republic
Status: Legal (land-based)
The Central African Republic legalized land-based forms of gambling, including casinos and sportsbooks. However, there’s no legal framework for online gambling. At the moment of writing, there is no verifiable information on prominent casinos in the country.
In terms of cryptocurrencies, the Central African Republic has been an absolute leader of the continent. It was the world’s second country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender.
Then, after pressure from the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), the country stopped the application of the new law until BEAC issued regulations throughout the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC).
Chad
Status: Legal
Gambling in Chad is legal under the Chadian General Tax Code (Code General des Impots) and the country’s Penal Code.
The regulation focuses on the land-based aspect of gambling, but online options, even though not mentioned in the legislation, are offered in Chad through Pariez Cash of la Tchadienne des jeux et des loisirs (Tdjl) and Premierbet.
Cryptocurrency is not regulated in Chad.
Comoros
Status: Legal
Comoros has an extensive offshore gambling regulation in place, the so-called Anjouan Gaming License, which is cost-effective and allows offshore operators to operate across the internet within the jurisdiction of Anjouan.
All international companies that set up branches can apply for a license, as per the Betting and Gaming Act. Comors’ gambling activities are regulated by the Comoros Finance Commission.
There are no specific cryptocurrency laws that regulate the use of Bitcoin and other cryptos, as well as their trading in Comoros.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Status: Legal
Gambling in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been legal since 2005. Nonetheless, there is no central authority for licensing and regulation of the activities. Depending on the form of gambling, different state authorities claim jurisdiction.
Lottery and sports betting is a monopoly of the state-run SONAL, whereas games of chance, online betting, ” eSports, “stock market games, skill games, and contests are regulated by the Ministry of Sports and Leisure.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has not authorized the use of cryptocurrencies in the country in any form.
Cote d’Ivoire
Status: Legal
Land-based gambling in Cote d’Ivoire is legal, but there’s only one casino in the country. Online gambling is not explicitly regulated. The situation with cryptocurrencies is similar. There are crypto exchanges in the country, but there is no legal framework.
Djibouti
Status: Legal
There are several legal forms of gambling in Djibouti, including brick-and-mortar casinos, under the 1983 Gaming Act. Online gambling is not explicitly mentioned in the law, and sports betting is also not approved.
The main regulatory body is the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Djibouti has no legal framework for cryptocurrencies either.
Egypt
Status: Legal (for tourists only)
Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country, so gambling is prohibited. Nonetheless, according to the decision by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, foreigners have been able to gamble in the country since 1973.
There are no laws that refer to online gambling. Cryptocurrencies are explicitly prohibited in Egypt.
Equatorial Guinea
Status: Legal
Land-based casinos and lotteries in Equatorial Guinea are regulated according to the Law of ‘Juegos de Recreo y de Azar,’ which is the only piece of legislation related to gambling in the country. The law does not take into account online forms of gambling and sports betting.
Cryptocurrencies are not legal tender in Equatorial Guinea, and people are warned against them.
Eritrea
Status: Unregulated
There is no specific mention of gambling in Eritrea’s Penal Code, which means there are no rules that prohibit the locals from accessing offshore casinos. Cryptocurrencies are banned in the country.
Eswatini
Status: Legal
Casinos and lotteries are legal in Eswatini, as per the 1963 Lotteries Act and the 1963 Casino Act. Gambling activities fall under the supervision of the Ministry of Tourism, Environmental Affairs Communication.
The provisions of the law do not account for online gambling.
Cryptocurrencies are not legal tender in the country, and crypto investments or assets are not regulated.
Ethiopia
Status: Legal
Land-based lotteries, sports betting, and casinos are legal in Ethiopia and administered by the National Lottery Administration.
There is no legal online gambling in the country. The country’s Central Bank has deemed cryptocurrencies illegal and has directed crypto firms to get a license from the National Cyber Security Agency.
Gabon
Status: Legal
Gambling in Gabon is legal and regulated under the “Réglementation générale des Jeux de Hasard,” first enacted in 2005 and amended in 2020 to establish the Commission Supérieure des jeux de divertissement, d’argent et de Hasard tasked with overseeing the gambling market in the country. The legislation does not account for online gambling.
Additionally, the country has not imposed any rules or regulations regarding cryptocurrencies either, so users who play in offshore casinos using cryptos are not likely to face any legal charges.
Gambia
Status: Legal
Gambia banned all forms of gambling in 2015 under President Yahya Jammeh. However, in 2017, the ban was lifted by the new government, legalizing all forms of gambling. When it comes to crypto gambling, Gambia has not enacted any new regulations, nor has it taken any stance towards it.
Ghana
Status: Legal
All forms of gambling are legal in Ghana under the Gaming Act 2006 (Act 721). The country’s chief regulator is the Gaming Commission of Ghana. Playing in offshore casinos is illegal.
Cryptocurrencies are not legal tender in the country, as per the notice from the Bank of Ghana, but there is no comprehensive legislation either.
Guinea
Status: Legal (state monopoly)
According to the Lottery Act, the National Lottery of Guinea is in charge of bingo and lottery games. The same Décret N°028/2000/PRG/SGG du 28 Mars 2000 paved the way for electronic gambling, now offered by both the lottery and La Guinéenne des Jeux SA.
The country has not yet legalized cryptocurrencies.
Guinea-Bissau
Status: Illegal
Guinea-Bissau banned all forms of gambling in 2019, as per the decree from the Guinea-Bissau Secretary of State for Tourism. Cryptocurrencies are not regulated.
Kenya
Status: Legal
Kenya has legalized all forms of gambling through its Betting, Lotteries, and Gaming Act, first enacted in 1991 and amended on various occasions. Online gambling is legal, and the law acknowledges three forms of licenses: sports betting, casino gaming, and lotteries.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya oversees gambling activities and imposes rules, such as the minimum stake of Sh20.
Currently, the country does not have any specific crypto laws. Cryptocurrencies are seen as securities and, as such, fall under the jurisdiction of the National Payments Systems Act, Capital Markets Act, and Kenya Information and Communication Act.
There is a bid to change the legal landscape of digital assets where a 3% tax on the transfer or exchange value of digital assets will be levied, while content creators will pay 15% on their online earnings, up from 5% withholding income tax.
Lesotho
Status: Legal
Lesotho enacted a Casino Order in 1989, under which all forms of gambling are licensed and regulated, including sports betting, casino gambling, and lottery. Still, online casinos are not regulated, and the country’s main authority, the Casino Board, has not licensed any online operators.
As per the PR statement from the Central Bank of Lesotho, cryptocurrencies are not regulated in any way, and any activities are the sole risk of the users. In other words, players can use cryptos in offshore online casinos that accept players from Lesotho.
Liberia
Status: Legal
Liberia has legal land-based and online gambling, including casinos and sportsbooks, as per Gaming Regulation 001 from 2016, with the National Lottery Authority as the chief regulator.
The Central Bank of Liberia has issued a warning against a crypto start-up launching a digital financial product, showcasing its negative stance towards the use of cryptos.
Libya
Status: Illegal
All forms of gambling are illegal in Lybia, as per Sharia law which forms the essence of the country’s Penal Code. The Central Bank of Lybia has also deemed cryptocurrencies as illegal.
Madagascar
Status: Legal
Madagascar has legalized all forms of gambling through the initial legislation: 1971 Law No. 71-011 Regulating Gambling Houses and Fixing the Tax Regime of These Houses.
In recent years, the country has enacted several decrees, such as Decree No. 763 of 1994 and Decree No. 7974 of 2018 by the Ministry of Interior, that serve as the legal framework for online betting.
In 2020, the Council of Government announced a major overhaul of gambling laws to address the rising influence of internet gambling. As for cryptocurrencies, the country has not yet adopted any laws or regulations.
Malawi
Status: Legal
Malawi has legalized gambling through the Gaming Act No. 26 of 1996, which also brought about the establishment of the Malawi Gaming Board. A separate regulator, the Malawi National Lotteries Board, was established under the Lotteries Act No. 9 of 2003 to oversee the lottery.
Then, the legislators developed the Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority (MAGLA) Bill to merge the two regulators into one and tasked it with overseeing all forms of gambling in the country, including but not limited to casino gambling, sports betting, lotteries, etc.
However, the use of cryptocurrencies remains illegal in Malawi.
Mali
Status: Illegal
Gambling is considered illegal in Mali, and there are no rules regarding cryptocurrencies.
Mauritania
Status: Illegal
All forms and types of gambling are illegal in Mauritania, and the country lacks any cryptocurrency legislation.
Mauritius
Status: Legal
Mauritius has a very developed gambling market, ruled under the provisions of the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act 2007 that repealed previous gambling laws to cater to the evolving nature of the market. The Gambling Regulatory Authority monitors and manages casino gambling, sports betting, and other forms of gambling.
The same advanced policies apply to cryptocurrency. Namely, cryptocurrencies and their trading are regulated under the VAITOS Act, which came into force on 7 February 2022.
The Act enabled the Financial Services Commission Mauritius (FSC) to regulate and supervise Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) and issuers of Initial Token Offerings (ITOs).
Morocco
Status: Legal
Gambling is legal in Morroco, which is a peculiarity considering Morroco is an Islamic country. Nonetheless, there are gambling resorts in big cities, and online gambling can be done via Marocaine des Jeux et des Sports (MDJS).
The Morrocan Central Bank is in the final stages of presenting the new crypto legal framework, including trading, taxes, and many other aspects.
Mozambique
Status: Legal
In 2009, Mozambique’s parliament unanimously passed a new gambling bill that effectively revoked the 1994 law and provided a more lenient stance towards gambling in the country. Sports betting, casino gambling, poker, and lotteries, in both their online and land-based format, are allowed.
Cryptocurrencies, and therefore crypto gambling, are not regulated.
Namibia
Status: Legal
All gambling activities in Namibia are regulated by the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act 13 of 2018, which include but are not limited to casinos, gambling houses, bookmakers, totalizator betting providers, bar gambling, or shebeen.
Recently, the country has put a new crypto asset law into place to authorize and regulate digital assets. Still, cryptos are not legal tender in Namibia.
Niger
Status: Legal
Gambling is legal in Niger, despite the country being predominantly Muslim. There is one casino and the National Lottery — the main providers of gambling. Online gambling is not explicitly regulated, nor are cryptocurrencies.
Nigeria
Status: Legal
Nigeria’s main gambling legislation is the National Lottery Act 2005, which distinguishes between games of skills and games of chance. The former, which includes sports betting and casino gambling, are legal, whereas games like roulette and dice games are illegal. No provisions of the law regulate online gambling separately.
Cryptocurrencies are not seen as legal tender by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and no commercial bank in the country is permitted to engage in cryptocurrency trading and dealing.
However, the government has recently introduced a new law to tax gains on cryptocurrency trading, which can be a signal that new regulation is in the making.
Republic of the Congo
Status: Legal
The Republic of the Congo has legalized multiple forms of gambling, including sports betting, casino gambling, lotteries, etc. The biggest gambling company is the COGELO, Congolese National Lotter, which holds a monopoly on lottery and bingo games and is under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Public Portfolio.
COGELO can also offer sports betting and games of chance, both in their land-based and online forms, but the company does not hold a monopoly there since Paridirect also accepts players from the Republic of Congo.
The Republic of Congo has banned all forms of cryptocurrencies, so they can’t be used for gambling.
Rwanda
Status: Legal
Gambling in Rwanda is legal under the y Law N°58/2011 of 31/12/2011 governing gaming activities and Ministerial Order N° 01/013 of 20/06/2013, which determines the procedures for obtaining a gaming license and relevant fees.
The Rwanda Gambling Board is in charge of regulating the market that allows sports betting, casino gambling, lotteries, bingo, and any other kind of gambling, both online and land-based.
The situation with cryptocurrencies is not so clear-cut. In 2018, the National Bank of Rwanda (NBR) declared cryptocurrency as forbidden, and no laws regulating it have been enacted.
Sao Tome and Principe
Status: Legal
Sao Tome and Principe has had legal gambling since 2005 when the country ratified Lei no. 1/2004, de 7 de Abril de 2005. However, online gambling remains illegal. The country has not yet regulated cryptocurrencies.
Senegal
Status: Legal
Senegal allows all forms of gambling, with Lonase, the state’s National Lottery, as the country’s chief regulator. Senegal has introduced eCFA, a digital version of its currency, but it is not based on blockchain technology, and the country does not have any explicit rules regarding cryptocurrencies.
Seychelles
Status: Legal
Seychelles authorized widescale gambling by approving the Seychelles Gambling Act in 2014. The accompanying bills include Gambling Regulations 2022 and Gambling Fees Regulations 2020 which regulate all aspects of land-based and online gambling.
All operators looking to cater to the Seychelles’ gambling market need to get a license from the Seychelles Financial Services Authority.
An increased use of cryptocurrencies in Seychelles has been recorded, prompting the country to work on a national policy on virtual assets.
Sierra Leone
Status: Legal
Sierra Leone allows all forms of gambling, but its legislation is an outdated one. Namely, the country’s current piece of gambling legislation is the Control of Betting and Lotteries Act from 1969, which doesn’t take into account interactive gambling, which largely remains under no regulation, so Sierra Leoneans can access offshore online casinos and sportsbooks without hindrance.
The only exception is Mercury International, a bookmaker with a license from the Ministry of Finance.
As for cryptocurrencies, they are outright banned in Sierra Leone.
Somalia
Status: Illegal
Somalia prohibits all forms of gambling and is even shutting down offshore gambling platforms in a bid to curtail gambling. The legality of cryptocurrencies in the country remains unknown.
South Africa
Status: Legal
Gambling in South Africa had been illegal prior to the National Gambling Act 1996. In 2008, the Act was amended to include interactive gambling, and a special Gambling Review Commission (GRC) was appointed in 2009 to monitor the success and impact of gambling in the country, whereas the National Gambling Board is the chief regulator.
The National Gambling Policy and the National Gambling Amendment Bill were enacted in 2016 to protect players and operators from illegal gambling.
South Africa approves land-based casinos, Limited Pay-out machines, bingo, and sports betting. However, online casinos and sportsbooks are not legal.
Section 11 of the National Gambling Act states: A person must not engage in or make available an interactive game except as authorized in terms of this Act or any other national law.
South Africa has classified crypto assets as financial products under the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). All exchanges and crypto trading companies must get a license from the FSCA. Still, cryptocurrencies are not legal tender in the country.
South Sudan
Status: Illegal
All forms of gambling are prohibited in South Sudan. Also, there is no legislation framework for cryptocurrencies either.
Sudan
Status: Illegal
Gambling is illegal in Sudan since the country adheres to strict Sharia laws. The Central Bank of Sudan (CBOS) doesn’t regulate cryptocurrencies and has issued warnings to citizens about their use and the impact on the ailing economy of the country.
Tanzania
Status: Legal
Tanzania has regulated all gambling activities in its Gaming Act, enacted in 2003. The gaming activities include casino gambling, sports betting, and the lottery, both in their online and land-based forms. The Gaming Board of Tanzania is in charge of regulating the gambling market in the country.
Cryptocurrencies are not recognized nor authorized in Tanzania, so the only currency that can be used for gambling is the Tanzanian Shilling.
Togo
Status: Legal (state company monopoly)
Togo legalized gambling with Decree No. 66-8 of July 4, 1966, which created LONATO, the state’s National Lottery, and, by ordinance of N°80-29 of November 10, 1989, the country’s chief regulator of games of chance.
Legal gambling includes sports betting, casinos, the lottery, PMU’TG, and other forms of gambling. Since 2006 and the interministerial decree N°004/MEFP/MATD/MS/MDPRDAC/CAB, LONATO has the power to authorize third-party operators for those games of chance for which it has no expertise.
Togo has not yet licensed the use of cryptocurrencies in any form and does not accept it as legal tender.
Tunisia
Status: Illegal (with the exception of casinos for tourists and land-based betting shops)
Tunisia generally prohibits gambling. However, there are casinos that only host foreigners and betting shops organized by state-owned Promosport under Law No. 63-D3, which falls under the comprehensive betting law known as Decree no.74-20 of 1974 on Betting, Chance and Lottery Games.
Tunisia has also banned the use of cryptocurrencies.
Uganda
Status: Legal
There are six types of legal gambling in Uganda: lottery, casino gambling, slot machines, Sports betting, bingo, and pool betting, as per the Lotteries and Gaming Act No. 7 of 2016, which superseded the National Lotteries Act of 1967, the Gaming and Pool Betting (Control and Taxation) Act of 1968, and other statutory guidelines introduced in 2012/13.
The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board Uganda (NLGRB) governs all forms of gambling in Uganda.
Cryptocurrencies can’t be used for gambling in Uganda as the country does not regulate cryptos and does not see them as legal tender.
Zambia
Status: Legal
The Zambia Casino Act repealed the Casino and Gaming Machines (Prohibition) Act in 1992 to usher in casino gambling in the country. The Betting Control Act that regulates sports betting in the country was passed in 1958, and the Lotteries Act passed in the 1950s focuses on the lotteries. As per the 2019 Gaming and Lottery Regulatory Policy published by the Ministry of Finance, the country should form a unified Gaming and Lotteries Authority, but the proposition has not come true yet.
Moreover, There’s no mention of online gambling in either of the bills, so Zambians can access offshore casinos freely.
There is no cryptocurrency legislation in Zambia at the moment, but the country is working on its digital infrastructure and wide acceptance of cryptocurrencies and perhaps making them legal tender.
Zimbabwe
Status: Legal
Zimbabwe allows land-based casino gambling and lotteries as per the Lotteries and Gaming Act, whereas tote and sports betting are legalized under the Betting and Totalizator Control Act. Pool betting is also legal in Zimbabwe through the Pools Control Act.
The country’s main gambling regulator is the Lotteries and Gaming Board (LGB), which has recently suggested some amendments to the Lotteries and Gaming Act to allow online betting.
There is no legal framework that addresses crypto gambling and gambling in general in Zimbabwe, but profits from trading in cryptos are subject to capital gains tax.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, your guide to crypto gambling regulations in Africa!
Are you playing from somewhere other than Africa, and wondering if crypto gambling is legal in your own region?
We have dedicated guides covering the following regions:
- Asia
- Australia
- Europe