Gambling and online casinos in Djibouti

Djibouti is a small but strategically important state on the Red Sea, located between Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia.

Despite the rapid development of the economy and tourism, the country adheres to strict religious legislation, and gambling is officially prohibited here.

Nevertheless, thanks to the international port, military bases and the influx of foreigners, a shadow segment of gambling is gradually forming in Djibouti -

including through the Internet and offshore platforms.

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Historical context

After independence from France in 1977

Djibouti inherited the French legal system, which included norms that allowed limited forms of entertainment.

However, already in the 1980s, the state switched to the Islamic legal model, where gambling is considered contrary to Sharia.

As a result, there are no casinos, betting shops or official betting shops in the country, and all forms of gambling are banned both on land and online.

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Legislation and regulation

Gambling is governed by Djibouti's Penal Code, based on a mixed system of French and Islamic law.

Main provisions:

• all types of gambling (including casinos, betting and lotteries) are prohibited;
• violation is punishable by a fine and imprisonment of up to 1 year;
• advertising and promotion of gambling is also prohibited;
• the state has the right to block the sites of offshore operators;
• foreign citizens cannot organize private gaming establishments.

Control over the implementation of the law is carried out

The Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Communications and Culture, which also regulate the Internet space.

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The real state of affairs

Despite the ban, gambling in Djibouti has not completely disappeared.

The country has an unofficial market for private games -

• in hotels, sea clubs and private homes, card tournaments, lotteries and sports bets are held "for their own."

Foreign workers and military personnel serving at bases in the United States, France and China are especially active.

For them, closed game evenings are organized, which are actually legalized within diplomatic complexes.

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Online gambling

Online gambling is not regulated in Djibouti, but internet access to international casinos is not completely blocked.

Residents of the country can play on foreign sites using VPN and international payment systems.

Popular destinations:

• 1xBet, 22Bet, BetWinner, Stake. com, BC. Game - via VPN;
• crypto-casino with payment in Bitcoin and USDT;
• mobile applications of Telegram bots and social casinos.

Payment is possible through Airtel Money, EVC Plus, as well as Visa and Mastercard bank cards of international banks.

According to East Africa Digital Market 2024, about 20-25 thousand Djiboutian citizens periodically use offshore gaming platforms.

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Economic and tourism context

Djibouti is actively developing tourism and transport infrastructure:

• new hotels, yacht clubs and international conferences are creating demand for premium entertainment.

In 2023, the initiative to create

"special tourist zone" off the port of Dorale, where licensed casinos for foreigners could operate, under the control of the Ministry of Economy and Investment.

The project is under preliminary analysis, and if implemented, Djibouti could become the only Horn of Africa country with a regulated gambling sector.

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Religious and cultural context

Djibouti is a Muslim country where religion deeply influences social policy.

Islam prohibits gambling (as maisir), considering it a form of unethical earnings and moral decline.

Negative attitudes towards gambling prevail in society, especially among the older generation.

However, young people familiar with global digital trends perceive online games as part of a global entertainment culture.

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Prospects

Although legalization of gambling in Djibouti is unlikely in the near future, the country is increasingly discussing the possibility of partial admission of international operators within tourist zones.

The market potential is estimated by experts at $15-20 million per year, subject to the emergence of regulated licenses.

Key drivers:

• the growing flow of foreign tourists and the military;
• development of fintech and mobile payments;
• geographical location - "gateway to East Africa."

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Djibouti remains a closed country for legal gambling, where religion and public policy severely restrict gambling entertainment.

However, international influences and digitalization are creating the conditions for the gradual emergence of a regulated online sector.