Gambling and online casinos in Tunisia

Tunisia is a country with a dual gambling policy.

On the one hand, the Constitution and Sharia prohibit the participation of Muslims in casinos, and on the other, the government allows foreign tourists to play in licensed establishments in the country.

Such a compromise allows the state to develop tourism and foreign exchange earnings, while formally observing religious principles.

As a result, Tunisia has become the only North African country where casinos are officially allowed - albeit with restrictions.

---

Religious and legal basis

Islam is the state religion of Tunisia, and the country's Constitution (Article 1) states:

Gambling (maysir) is considered sinful according to Sharia, as it is associated with "unfair enrichment" and "devilish temptation."

Therefore, gambling is prohibited for Muslims - both on the ground and on the Internet.

However, the state, following economic interests, created exceptions for foreigners.

Thus, the Islamic ban is combined with the practical assumption that "non-believers can play if it benefits the country."

---

Legislation and regulation

Main provisions:

1. Casino Regulation Act No. 64 of 1969 -

allows the operation of gambling establishments under the control of the Ministry of Tourism.

2. Ordinance No. 77-456 (1977) -

enshrines that Tunisian citizens have no right to play in casinos.

3. Tunisian Penal Code (Art. 306-309) -

prohibits the organization and participation in illegal gambling.

4. Cybercrime Act (2004) -

treats online gambling as a "violation of public morality."

Key principles:

• Casinos can only operate under state license.
• Only foreigners who have presented a passport have access to the casino.
• Organizing illegal games is punishable by up to 3 years in prison.
• Online gambling is unregulated but officially illegal.

---

Land-based casinos

Tunisia has several official casinos, mainly in coastal tourist areas.

They are aimed exclusively at foreigners and bring significant income to the tourism economy.

The largest casinos in the country:

• Casino La Medina (Hammamet) is the largest casino in Tunisia;
• Casino Europe (Sus) - popular with European tourists;
• Grand Casino Djerba is the gambling tourism centre of Djerba Island;
• Casino Hannibal Palace (Port of El Kantaoui) - aimed at VIP tourists;
• Casino Le Royal (Tunisia) is a small hotel casino in the capital.

All establishments are subordinate to the Ministry of Tourism and are required to transfer part of the profit to the state fund for the development of the region.

According to Maghreb Tourism Report 2024, before the COVID-19 pandemic, Tunisian casinos brought in about $50 million a year, of which 90% of the profits were provided by tourists from Europe.

---

Online gambling

Officially, online casinos are banned in Tunisia and no company is licensed for digital gambling.

However, the authorities do not block foreign sites, and punishment for participating in online gambling is extremely rare.

Thousands of Tunisians use offshore platforms every day, such as:

• 1xBet, Stake, BetWinner, PokerStars, BC. Game, Bitcasino.

Payment is made through:

• cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Tron, USDT);
• international wallets (Skrill, Jeton, AstroPay);
• virtual cards issued outside Tunisia.

North Africa Online Gaming Insight 2024 estimates that there are about 200,000 active online players in the country, and the total gray market exceeds $150 million per year.

---

Control and supervision

Land-based casinos are regulated by:

• Ministry of Tourism of Tunisia - issuance of licenses, audit;
• Ministry of the Interior - control over compliance with access rules;
• National Communications Agency (INT) - Internet surveillance and website blocking.

In practice, supervision of online gambling is minimal.

The state is limited to blocking large illegal operators, but does not conduct mass monitoring or court cases.

---

Economic aspect

Casinos in Tunisia are part of the tourist infrastructure and operate on a "closed access" model -

only for foreigners paying with currency.

This system provides:

• stable tax revenues;
• job creation in the hotel sector;
• attracting investments in coastal regions.

The government is considering the development of a new generation of tourist areas, including hotels, golf courses and entertainment complexes, where casinos will play a key role for foreign guests.

---

Social and cultural context

For the majority of Tunisia's population, gambling remains a taboo subject.

Imams and religious leaders condemn gambling, considering it a manifestation of Western influence.

However, a pragmatic approach has emerged in society:

• many Tunisians perceive casinos as a "tourist service," and not as a threat to Islam, if citizens themselves do not participate in it.

---

Prospects

Short-term: maintaining the current model - a casino only for foreigners, without online licenses.

Medium-term: the possible creation of a regulated online gambling system for foreign users.

Long-term: development of "entertainment areas" with integrated casinos and resorts.

Experts note that the liberalization of online gambling could bring the country an additional $100-150 million a year, but religious and political factors still make this impossible.

---

Tunisia is a country where Islamic norms and the tourism economy have found a balance.

Gambling is illegal for Muslims but allowed for foreigners in specially licensed establishments.

Online gambling is formally illegal, but is actually available to anyone who uses VPNs and cryptocurrencies.

The country remains the most open center of gambling tourism in North Africa, where religious principles coexist with economic pragmatism.