Situated in northeastern Africa and sharing its borders with Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and the Red Sea, Some forms of gambling are also legal though they are not regulated by the government. This comprehensive guide will cover the present status of the Eritrea bookmakers and the historical and legal background of the country as well as the laws governing sports betting, the authorities and licensing, and taxation. This paper aims at presenting the prospects and difficulties of participating in gambling activities in Eritrea.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
Legal Landscape of Gambling in Eritrea
History of Eritrea Bookmakers and Gambling Laws
In this aspect, Eritrea’s gambling environment is characterized by absence of regulation. There are no laws in the country that directly prohibit or allow games of chance, or gambling and this leads to an understanding that the activities are not prohibited but also not encouraged. Such a situation gives rise to a rather curious legal situation, especially in view of the fact that a good number of people subscribe to the tenets of Islamic law.
- 1962: Under Ethiopia’s administration, Eritrea got exposure to different approaches towards gambling in Ethiopia.
- 1993: The two nations of Ethiopia and Eritrea became independent, and this paved way for the creation of different legal systems but there was not much change when it comes to gambling laws.
- Present Day: There are no laws that currently permit or prohibit gambling and so it is a grey area governed by social and religious conventions.
Regulatory Agencies
There is no a special government agency that oversees gambling in Eritrea. The lack of a proper legal framework is filled by the Sharia law that is mostly relevant for the Muslim population that makes up almost half of the country’s residents. Sharia courts handle family and inheritance issues and marriage and divorce and have completely outlawed gambling.
Prohibited and Allowed Bets
Given the lack of formal regulation:
- Prohibited: Sharia law prohibits any form of gambling therefore any form of gambling is haram. This encompasses the normal gambling, the internet gambling and the betting on the sports.
- Allowed: The types of gambling which are legal are not identified in the above list of prohibited games of chance. However, absence of legislation implies that other forms of betting like buying scratch off lottery tickets is legal and can be easily found.
Eritrea Bookmakers Licenses and Fees
Current Status:
- Licenses: There is no such process of licensing for gambling operators, which include the bookmakers and the online casino sites.
- Fees: Since there are no licenses, there are no fee structures for the gambling operations.
- Future Prospects: Thus, it is still improbable that Eritrea will introduce a formal system of licensing in the near future due to cultural and religious considerations.
Gambling Taxes
Since gambling operations are unregulated:
- Online Casino Taxes: N/A
- Bookmakers Taxes: N/A
- Player Winnings Taxes: N/A
There is no form of taxation on the earnings from gambling which implies that the government does not benefit financially from the gambling activities.
Licensing and Fees
- Licensing: None for the sports betting operators.
- Fees: Likewise, there are no charges that can be linked with the non-existing licenses.
Eritrea Sports Betting
Overview
Like any other type of gambling, sports betting in Eritrea is as unregulated as one can get. However, people have developed keen interest in football and cycling among other sporting activities, which has created chances for informal betting.
Sports and Achievements and Goals
- Eritrea’s sporting history is rich, with notable achievements in various sports:
- Cycling: Eritrea is the cycling power-house of Africa, and has been so for quite some time now. Highlights include:
- 2013: Thus, Natnael Berhane was awarded the title of “African Sportsman of the Year.
- 2012: This year, Vuelta a España gains its first Eritrean rider through the persons of Daniel Teklehaimanot.
- 2021: Biniam Girmay gets a silver medal at the UCI Road World Championships.
- Football: The Eritrea national team is not very successful in the international level competition but they do have loyal fans.
- Long-Distance Running: Zersenay Tadese, another world record holder in the half marathon, is one of the stars of Eritrean athletes.
Types of Bets
As with other gambling types, sports betting lacks formal structure:
- Common Bets: Betting on football games, and on bicycle races.
- Prohibited Bets: This is because, although all forms of gambling are in essence unlawful according to the Sharia law, the Muslim population is allowed to engage in it.
Conclusion
The analysis of the current situation in Eritrea shows that the gambling industry is unregulated and operates with the background of cultural and religious values. Thus, traditional and online gambling, including sports betting and Eritrea bookmakers, are still not legal; meanwhile, informal practices are still present. Looking at the current and the future of the nation and its socio-political environment, the future of gambling regulation is unpredictable.
FAQ for Eritrea Bookmakers
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