Gambling has remained a contentious and highly prohibited activity in Somalia mainly because of the country’s religious and cultural beliefs. Since the population of Kuwait is mainly composed of Sunni Muslims, the views on gambling, including sports betting, are rather prohibitive due to the Islamic religion that bans gambling as a sin. This article looks at the history, the laws and the current situation of Somalia bookmakers and sports betting to give a comprehensive account of the position of the country on the activities.
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Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
History of Gambling Laws and Legislation
Gambling has not been legalized in Somalia and up to now, since the country gained its independence in 1960. The formation of the country came with an emphasis that is against the placing of bets in any manner what so ever in line with the Islamic culture.
- 1960: In the year 1991 when Somalia achieved its independence it prohibited all the forms of gambling right from the beginning.
- Quranic Prohibition: According to the Quran, gambling is unlawful and it is deemed as a ‘grave sin’ as well as ‘abominations of Satan’s handiwork,’ which is the reason why the country has strict laws against it.
Current Legal Status
General Prohibition
Therefore, with regard to Sharia, all types of gambling are forbidden and are deemed to be evil. Therefore Somalia does not have legal gambling house, casinos, or bookmaker shops. Due to the limited resources in the state, there is limited monitoring thus some betting activities may go unnoticed and conducted recklessly.
Online Gambling and Betting
Other prohibited activities include; engaging in online gambling and betting. Such activities are not allowed; any person found involved in the same is punishable by law. Nevertheless, the regulation is rather weak, and certain residents find a way to engage in online betting via foreign websites that accept Somalis.
Regulatory of Somalia Bookmakers
National Anti-Money Laundering & Countering of Terrorism Financing Commission (NAMLC) is the main organization that regulates the potential financial crimes connected with gambling activities within the country.
- NAMLC’s Role: This commission conducts its sittings often in the fight against financial crimes and has expressly outlawed all forms of gambling among which are services such as those offered by IXBET which target the citizens of Somalia.
Prohibited and Allowed Bets
Because of the absolute ban, all types of betting are prohibited in Somalia. This includes:
- Bookmaker Shops: None of the countries legal booksmakers are located within the country.
- Casinos and Lotteries: Completely unlawful and none of them has permits to operate in the country as they are doing.
- Sports Betting: Both online and offline sports betting are prohibited; however, the authorities do not actively prosecute the public.
Licenses and Fees
At the moment, there are no gambling licenses in Somalia; this applies to Somalia bookmakers, casinos, and all other forms of betting, including charity gambling. With no licensing regime in place there are no charges that one has to pay or any set of rules to follow.
Taxation of Gambling
Gambling is forbidden in Somalia and hence there is no legal framework under which gambling earnings and or operations are subject to taxes. All proceeds realised from unlawful gambling are not remitted to the national treasury and are also unaccounted for.
Sports Betting in Somalia
Legal Status
- Offline Sports Betting: It is prohibited since the country does not have legal Somalia bookmakers that are allowed to operate.
- Online Sports Betting: Also prohibited, however the people are not commonly arrested for using online betting from foreign-based sites.
Enforcement and Sanctions
Gambling or organizing of gambling activities is also unlawful in Somalia where severe legal consequences may be imposed on those involved. Although there is a ban on gambling some forms of it can still be observed to be taking place either in the black market or through the use of the internet.
Sporting Achievements
Somalia actually has quite strict laws regarding gambling, but it should be noted that it is home to a rather developed sporting culture, with football and athletics being the most popular disciplines. Here are some highlights:
Football
- Local Competitions: The Somali football teams are domestic teams with very little interaction with the rest of the world teams.
- National Team: The Ocean Stars are popularly referred to as the “giant killers” because they have for a long time been known to give a tough account of themselves in the international arena.
- Notable Players: In the European Premier Leagues some of the Somali players are Liban Abdi, Abdisalam Ibrahim, Mohammed Ahamed Jama and Ayub Daud.
Athletics
- Abdi Bile: She gained the World Championship in 1500m in 1987 and also had the best 800m split time in any 1500m race.
- Hussein Ahmed Salah: Received a bronze medal at the 1985 IAAF World Marathon Cup, World Championships in 1987 and 1991 and the 1988 Summer Olympics.
- Mo Farah: He or she has the European records in 10,000m and 5000m (indoors) among other records.
Conclusion
The culture of gambling in Somalia can be described as limited and effectively prohibited due to the religious traditions and requirements of the country’s legislation. Even though there are no legal guidelines concerning the gambling activities in the country, the love for football and athletics still exists. Thus, Somali athletes’ victories at the international level prove that the spirit of sportsmanship is alive in the country, notwithstanding the strict laws on gambling. In light of the history and existing laws, it is possible to comprehend the position of the country when it comes to bookmakers and sports betting.
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