Cameroon is in the middle of Central and Western Africa and has Nigeria to its west, Chad to its northeast, Central African Republic to the east and south it has Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Republic of Congo. Cameroon’s gambling industry is fairly well-structured, including various forms of online and sports betting. In this article, the reader will discover the background information, rules, permits, and taxes concerning Cameroon bookmakers and sports betting in order to comprehend the country’s gambling market.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
History of Gambling in Cameroon
Gambling activities have been legal in Cameroon since it became an independent state in the year 1960. However, the landscape has evolved significantly over the years:
- 1960: Gambling is legal again, but only the lottery is considered to be legal.
- 1992: The betting of horse racing is legalised and this culminates to the formation of Pari Mutuel Urbain Camerounais (PMUC).
- 2004: Other games of chance such as Casino gambling are allowed, hence allowing private operators to enter the market.
- 2015: An extensive review of the gambling legislation deals with the aspects of licenses, fees, and control.
- 2019: Additional newer legislations address issues to do with money laundering, terrorist financing, and corruption. This year also witnessed the legal and regulated of online gambling.
Gambling Laws and Legislation
Currently, the principal legal act regulating gambling in Cameroon is the Décret N°2019/2300/PM from 2019 year which is also known as the 2019 Gambling Decree and replaced the 2015 Gambling Decree. This decree provides the legal requirements of both the traditional and the online gambling operations.
Regulatory Agencies
The Prime Minister’s office deals with the issuance of licenses to the gambling companies. Cameroon is the body that oversees the regulation of gambling through the formulation and enforcement of laws.
Cameroon Bookmakers Licensing and Fees
In the country of Cameroon, the Prime Minister’s Office regulates the business of bookmaking and only issues licenses to the companies that want to engage in this sphere of activity. The licensing requirements and fees are detailed in the Décret N°2019/2300/PM:
- License Validity: The permits are issued with a validity period of 10 years.
- License Fees: The fees are set out in the decree and are prohibited depending on the kind of gambling activity.
Gambling Taxes
Cameroon imposes various taxes on gambling activities:
- Casino Tax: 1. 5% of the amount of the gross gaming revenue.
- Slot and Video Poker Machines: 100,000 CFA (€151) per year, per machine as a fixed fee.
- Arcade and Pinball Machines: This ranges from 40,000 CFA (€60) fixed fee per year per machine.
- Foosball Tables: 20,000 CFA (€30) per year per machine, as a fixed fee.
- Supplementary Tax (Centimes Additionnels): This amount is to be 10% of the gross gaming revenue.
Prohibited and Allowed Bets
Thus, the legislation, which permits different types of gambling, also outlines some restrictions to better regulate the sphere.
Cameroon Sports Betting
Sports betting forms a great part of Cameroon’s gambling business and attracts people of all nationalities. sports betting in the country is rooted in France’s Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU).
Some features of sports betting in Cameroon
- Horse Racing: Pari Mutuel Urbain Camerounais (PMUC) is an organization which offers services of horse racing bets.
- Online Sports Betting: Betting on sports was approved in 2019 and opens access to online betting services for the licensed operators. Famous operators include Nationale Loterie Du Cameroun and PMUC.
- Betting Shops: The services offered in the betting shops has diversifying and in 1994 horse race bets where introduced.
Sporting Event Glory Milestones
Cameroon has a rich sporting history, especially in football and athletics:
- 1990, June: The first one is the Cameroon national football team, the team reaches the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup.
- 2000, September: The men of the Cameroon national soccer team take the Olympic gold medal in men’s soccer.
- 2003, June: The Confederations Cup goes to Cameroon.
- 2004, August: Women athletes from Cameroon Francoise Mbango Etone wins a gold medal in the triple jump at the Athens Olympics.
- 2008, August: Cameroon takes the gold medal in the Beijing Olympics.
Conclusion
The growth of gambling in Cameroon especially Cameroon bookmakers and sports betting has also grown rapidly. Due to a clear legal framework and regulation, the country is a favorable jurisdiction for both national and foreign gambling companies. So, to be up-to-date with the current legal aspects and business opportunities, it is vital for anyone willing to be engaged in this industry.
FAQ about Cameroon Bookmakers
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