Gambling and online casinos in Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea is a small but economically developed Central African state where gambling is legal and regulated by law.

The country is gradually turning into one of the promising centers of the gambling business in the region, attracting the attention of investors from Europe and Asia due to its stability and oil revenues.

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Historical context

The first gambling establishments in Equatorial Guinea were lotteries and private clubs, which appeared in the late 1980s, when the country began economic liberalization.

In 1995, a law was passed regulating casinos, and already in the 2000s the first international gambling operators appeared, aimed at tourists and the business elite.

Since the beginning of the 2010s, the development of the sector has accelerated thanks to the construction of large hotels and resorts, including in the capital Malabo and on the island of Bioko.

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Legislation and regulation

Gambling is regulated by law Ley N ° 2/1995 sobre Juegos de Azar, as well as a number of decrees issued by the Ministry of the Interior and Tourism.

Chief Regulatory Officer -

Dirección General de Juegos y Apuestas (DGJA), subordinate to the Ministry of Finance and Budget.

Main provisions of the legislation:

• gambling is allowed if licensed;
• licenses are issued for a period of 5 years;
• the age of the players is from 18 years;
• gambling tax - 15-25% of gross income;
• foreign companies are allowed if there is a partnership with a local operator;
• online gambling is not prohibited, but requires special permission.

Control is carried out at the state level, and licensing is centralized in the capital of Malabo.

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Legal forms of gambling

In Equatorial Guinea, the following are officially allowed:

• casinos and gaming clubs;
• lotteries (public and private);
• bookmakers;
• sports and virtual betting;
• online games (if licensed).

The national lottery is operated by the Lotería Nacional de Guinea Ecuatorial, and private operators are required to register with the DGJA.

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Casino and offline gambling

Despite the small size of the country, there are several upscale tourist-oriented casinos as well as gaming clubs in business centers.

The main establishments are:

• Casino Malabo is the largest casino in the country, located at the Sofitel Malabo Sipopo Le Golf;
• Casino Bata Palace is a popular venue in the coastal city of Bata;
• Casino Bioko Club is a private casino on Bioko Island;
• Club Fortuna is a gambling hall attached to a business center in Malabo.

These casinos offer classic games: roulette, blackjack, poker, bacara and slot machines.

According to the Central Africa Gaming Report 2024, the annual income of offline gambling in the country exceeds $25 million, and the sector brings the state up to $5 million in taxes.

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Online gambling

Online gambling in Equatorial Guinea is in the making, but since 2018, the government has officially allowed the registration of operators providing online services.

So far, there is no separate law regulating Internet casinos, but the existing norms allow operating under the license of an offline operator.

Popular platforms:

• 1xBet Equatorial Guinea, BetWinner Africa, Premier Bet GQ;
• SportyBet, Bet9ja Africa - African bookmakers;
• Stake. com, BC. Game - international crypto platforms.

Payment methods:

• Orange Money, MTN Mobile Money - the most common systems;
• Visa/MasterCard, Ecobank, UBA - bank payments;
• cryptocurrencies (BTC, USDT, TRX) - for offshore sites.

The number of online players is estimated at around 150,000, making Equatorial Guinea one of the region's most active digital markets.

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Economic importance

Gambling plays a prominent role in the country's economy, especially in the tourism and services sectors.

The state generates revenue through taxes, licensing and hotel fees.

Key indicators (2024):

• market volume - $35-40 million;
• tax revenues - about $6 million;
• employment - up to 1,000 people;
• contribution to GDP - 0.9%.

Hotel casinos attract business tourists, and part of the lottery revenue is used to finance sports and education.

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Cultural and religious context

Equatorial Guinea is a predominantly Catholic country, so attitudes towards gambling are generally neutral.

Gambling is perceived as entertainment and social activity, and the state emphasizes the importance of "responsible play."

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Prospects

Equatorial Guinea plans by 2030:

• introduce a separate law on online gambling;
• create a free license zone for international operators;
• Integrate an electronic transaction control system
• develop gambling tourism on the island of Bioko and in Bath.

Gaming Africa Index 2030 predicts that the gambling market in Equatorial Guinea could reach $80-100 million, of which more than 60% will be in the online segment.

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Equatorial Guinea is one of Central Africa's most promising and fastest growing gambling markets.

It combines political stability, favorable taxation and the desire for digital transformation.

This is a country where casinos by the ocean and online gambling in a smartphone create a single space of modern African gaming culture.