Gambling and online casinos in Senegal

Senegal is one of the most developed and liberal gambling markets in Africa.

Unlike many Islamic countries in the region, gambling is not prohibited here, but rather regulated and used as a source of income and tourism.

The state is aware of the economic potential of the gambling business and is actively developing it under the control of the Ministry of Finance and Tourism.

As a result, Senegal has become a hub for legal gambling in West Africa, where casinos, lotteries and online platforms operate officially.

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Historical background

Gambling appeared in Senegal during the French colony.

The first casino opened in Dakar in the 1970s, and since then the industry has gradually grown under government supervision.

After independence, the authorities decided not to ban gambling, but to legalize and control it, creating a licensing and taxation system that is still in effect today.

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Legislation and regulation

The basic laws are:

1. Decree No. 73-458 (1973) - regulates casinos and gambling houses.

2. Law No. 2004-17 - defines the procedure for licensing and taxation of operators.

3. Decree No. 2006-49 - regulates online gambling and distance betting.

4. Lottery Act (2007) - Establishes a state monopoly on national lotteries.

Regulation is carried out by:

• Ministère de l'Intérieur et de la Sécurité Publique - issuing licences;
• Direction Générale des Impôts et Domaines (DGID) - tax control;
• LONASE (La Loterie Nationale Sénégalaise) is the state lottery operator.

Licenses:

• issued for up to 10 years;
• allow the activities of casinos, betting points and online platforms;
• require taxes (10-20% of gross income).

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Land-based casinos

In Senegal, there are several legal casinos located mainly in tourist and business areas.

The main establishments are:

• Casino du Port (Dakar) - the oldest casino in the country, has been operating since 1978;
• Terrou-Bi Casino (Dakar) - part of a luxury hotel, popular with tourists;
• Casino Café de Rome is a modern gaming complex with restaurants and a hotel;
• Casino Mermoz is popular among the local elite and foreign businessmen.

According to the West Africa Gaming Review 2024, the gross income of the gambling sector in Senegal exceeds $150 million per year, and the gambling business accounts for about 0.4% of the country's GDP.

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Online gambling

Senegal is one of the first African countries to introduce official regulation of online gambling.

The laws allow companies to obtain licenses to organize online betting, casinos and lotteries.

Features of regulation:

• licenses are issued to offline operators who can develop online services;
• the activity must be registered in Senegal;
• all transactions go through local banks or mobile payment systems.

Both local and international brands are actively working in the country:

• Premier Bet, 1xBet, BetWinner, ParionsSport, LONASE Online.

An estimated over 500,000 active users place bets online each year.

The total volume of online gambling in 2024 exceeded $300 million.

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Payment systems and technologies

Senegal is Africa's leader in mobile payments.

Most users top up through:

• Orange Money, Wari, Free Money;
• Visa/MasterCard bank cards;
• cryptocurrency wallets (in the gray sector).

It was the integration of mobile money and gambling that made online rates massive even in rural regions.

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Economic and social impact

Gambling has become an important part of the country's economy:

• creates jobs (more than 5,000 people);
• provides tourist receipts;
• fills the budget with taxes from gambling companies;
• supports sports programs (part of taxes goes to sports).

At the same time, the government controls advertising and access:

• the participation of minors is prohibited;
• advertising is restricted in public places;
• casinos and bookmakers are required to verify the identity of customers.

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Cultural and religious context

Despite the fact that Islam is practiced by about 95% of the population, Senegal is known for its moderate and secular approach.

Gambling is not religiously approved, but society treats it pragmatically, perceiving it as part of the modern economy.

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Prospects

Short-term: continued growth in online gambling and integration with mobile payment services.

Medium-term: development of local platforms and attracting foreign investment.

Long-term: setting up a regional West African gambling hub with Dakar as a hub.

Experts predict that by 2030 the gambling market in Senegal could exceed $1 billion, becoming one of the largest in the region.

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Senegal is an example of a successful model of gambling regulation in a Muslim country.

Here, religious norms are combined with economic flexibility, and casinos and online gambling develop in a legal and transparent field.

Thanks to stable legislation and technological innovation, the country holds the status of the most progressive gambling market in West Africa.