Being located in the center of Africa and being a landlocked country, CAR has set its own course for the regulation of gambling activities. When it comes to gambling laws and especially the ones concerning Central African Republic bookmakers and sports betting, the Central African Republic (CAR) has quite an interesting and rather convoluted history. In this article, the focus will be on the general legal framework for bookmakers’ activities, legislation history, the role of regulating authorities, and the features of sports betting .
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Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
Brief History of Gambling Legislation in CAR
Gambling has been legalized in the Central African Republic as from the time it became an independent nation from France in the year 1960. At the beginning, lotteries were the only form of gambling allowed; however, this has changed over time.
Key Milestones:
- 1960: The selling of the lotto after the independence of the country.
- 2019: The creation of LOICA, the Central African International Lottery as well as the collaboration with the Czech consortium FAVOR.
It is prohibited to open unlicensed gambling establishments or to organize illegal games of chance; the punishment for this is imprisonment for up to 5 years and/or a fine of up to 5,000,000 CFA (about €7500, $8000).
To the best of the knowledge, there is no clear information on the types of games of chance and betting allowed in the country; however, it is presumed that casinos are legal due to the presence of Hotel Ledger Plaza, the only casino hotel in the Central African Republic, located in Bangui.
Laws and Legislation of Central African Republic Bookmakers
The current legal situation regarding bookmakers and sports betting in the Central African Republic is rather vague yet rather favorable to the legal operations of gambling businesses. Here’s a closer look at the specific aspects:
Regulatory Agencies
It is still ambiguous which level of the government oversees gambling licensing and regulation. But all the gambling activities are supposed to be licensed and regulated in order to be legal and abide by the set rules.
Prohibited and Allowed Bets
While the CAR allows several forms of gambling, including casino gambling, poker, lottery, and sports betting, certain restrictions apply:
- Allowed: Casino gaming: slot machines and table games, poker, lotteries/other similar raffles, sports betting.
- Prohibited: It is unlawful for one to carry on gambling business without a license and it is an offense.
Gambling Licenses and Fees
Obtaining a gambling license in CAR requires meeting specific criteria:
- License Fee: Some of the sources put the annual license fee at about $30,000. But this information is not approved officially.
- Ownership Requirement: The ownership of at least half of the gambling company must be by the citizen of CAR.
Gambling Taxes
Gambling in CAR is subject to various taxes:
- General Gambling Tax: Progressive, between 2 – 4 % of GGR.
- Corporate Tax: Thirty percent as provided for in the tax code of CAR.
Central African Republic Sports Betting
Football is the most famous sport in CAR, and the populace highly engages in sports betting, which is a form of gambling. The sports betting market is well developed, and people with high net worth as well as those who have no specific relation to the sport have numerous ways to make a bet.
Sporting Event Glory Milestones
- 1995: The Central African Republic national football team gains a ticket to the African Cup of Nations for the first time.
- 2000: Franck Elemba, the track and field star gets a bronze medal at the Summer Olympics.
- 2011: Basketball player Bismack Biyombo gets a chance to be in the NBA.
- 2018: The Central African Republic gets a gold in judo during the African Judo Championships.
- 2019: Creation of LOICA, improvement in legal environment of lotteries and sports betting.
Conclusion
The Central African Republic has a defined but still developing system of regulating bookmakers and sports betting. Having a long history and a bright future, the country opens up vast perspectives for everyone willing to develop in the gambling sphere. Thus, learning and respecting the laws and rules that govern the CAR’s sports betting and gambling, both entities and people can engage in this exciting industry.
FAQs of Central African Republic Bookmakers
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