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Gambling and online casinos in Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast (Ivory Coast) is one of the fastest growing countries in Africa in the field of gambling.
Here gambling is officially allowed and regulated by law, and the state considers gambling as an important element of the economy and tourism.
The country has become one of the centers of African online gambling,
where legal casinos, sports betting and digital platforms operate under government control.
Historical context
The gambling culture of Côte d'Ivoire began to take shape back in the 1970s
when the first casinos and lottery agencies for tourists and wealthy citizens opened in the capital Abidjan.
In 1989, the government created the Loterie Nationale de Côte d'Ivoire (LONACI) -
a national company that received a monopoly on lotteries and sports betting.
After the economic reforms of the 2000s, private operators came to the country,
and with the development of the Internet, the era of online gambling began,
which today provides millions of CFA francs in tax revenue annually.
Legislation and regulation
Gambling is regulated by Law No. 2014-132 of 24 March 2014,
as well as a number of resolutions of the Ministry of Finance and Economy.
The main regulator is the Loterie Nationale de Côte d'Ivoire (LONACI),
which:- issues licenses for casinos, bookmakers and online platforms;
- monitors compliance with tax regulations and standards of integrity;
- controls advertising and player protection;
- manages state lotteries.
All operators are required to have a physical presence in the country
and pay taxes in local currency (XOF).
Legal forms of gambling
All major types of gambling are permitted in Côte d'Ivoire:1. Casinos (land establishments);
2. Lotteries and instant games;
3. Sports betting (land and online);
4. Online casinos and virtual games.
Licensed destinations:- LONACI - official lottery and betting operator;
- Private Gaming Operators (since 2017) - private casinos and online platforms under the control of LONACI.
Casino and land gambling
Ivory Coast is one of the few African countries to
where casinos operate legally and target tourists and business audiences.
Largest casinos:- Casino Barrière d'Abidjan - the country's flagship,
- part of the Barrière international network;
- Casino du Sofitel Hôtel Ivoire is a prestigious casino at the legendary Sofitel Hotel;
- Golden Elephant Club is a modern entertainment casino in the Kokodi area.
According to African Gaming Observatory 2024,
total casino revenue exceeded 30 billion CFA francs
(about $50 million),
and tax revenues from the gambling sector - more than 5 billion CFA francs per year.
Online gambling
Online gambling in Ivory Coast officially allowed
and is actively developing under the control of LONACI.
Players have access to licensed local and international platforms.
Popular sites:- lonaci. ci - official website of the national lottery and betting;
- Premier Bet Côte d’Ivoire;
- 1xBet CI, BetWinner CI, Bet365 Africa;
- Stake и BC. Game (via cryptocurrencies).
- especially among young people,
and mobile apps allow you to bet around the clock.
Payment methods:- Orange Money, MTN Mobile Money, Moov Money - the main payment methods;
- Visa / MasterCard;
- cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, USDT) on international sites.
According to statistics from West Africa iGaming Review 2024,
online gambling in Côte d'Ivoire accounts for about 60% of the turnover of the entire market,
and the number of active players exceeds 1.2 million.
Economic importance
Gambling has become an important source of revenue for the country's budget.
According to the Ministry of Finance,- in 2024, the sector brought the state more than $25 million in taxes
and provided about 10,000 jobs.
Key effects:- development of the tourism industry;
- digitalization of financial services;
- sports support (LONACI - sponsor of the Ivory Coast football team);
- growth of the domestic entertainment market.
Cultural and religious context
Côte d'Ivoire is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country,
where Islam and Christianity coexist peacefully.
Religious leaders call for accountability,
but do not require a ban on gambling.
Gambling is perceived as normal entertainment,- and the state is actively promoting the idea
"play consciously, win honestly" (joue responsable, gagne loyalement).
Development prospects
The authorities of Côte d'Ivoire are planning further digitalization and liberalization of the market.
By 2030, the government intends to:- create a unified online register of operators;
- introduce electronic licenses;
- develop integration with African crypto payment systems;
- turn Abidjan into the hub of West Africa's iGaming.
Gaming Africa Index 2030,
the country's gambling market could grow to $250 million annually,
becoming one of the largest in the region.
Ivory Coast is an example of a balanced and mature gambling system in Africa.
The state combines transparent regulation, digital innovation
and support for responsible gambling.
tradition, technology and fair play intersect here.
Ivory Coast is well on its way to
to become West Africa's leading licensed gambling hub.
