Located in the Atlantic coast of western Africa is the Gambia. Ghana is located on the Gulf of Guinea and has a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean to the west and is almost entirely surrounded by Senegal to the north, east and south; has a long and checkered history with gambling especially in the sports betting and bookmakers industries. In this article, the author looks at the development of gambling laws and regulations in Gambia and how they affect the current situation for Gambia bookmakers and sports betting fans.
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Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
Evolution of Gambling Laws in Gambia
- 1965: Gambia with a full name of the Republic of the Gambia got its independence and became a constitutional monarchy within the British common wealth. At first, New Zealand received British gambling legislation, and thus, gambling was allowed in its different forms.
- March 2015: Gamble had been totally prohibited in Gambia under the rule of Yahya Jammeh, this nursing ban encompassed lotteries, casinos and even sports betting. The stated reason was to uphold the social causes such as honesty and parsimony rather than greed and profligacy.
- 2017: The entrance of President Adama Barrow into office was considered as a major change. The new administration allowed gambling, sports betting, and lotteries, among others, in the framework of the economic and social transformation for employment and tourism.
The regulation of bookmakers and sports betting today.
Sports betting is also legally accepted in Gambia since gambling is allowed in different forms. Nevertheless, the legal environment is still comparatively weak, as the legal and regulatory provisions are still being developed.
Laws and Regulations
- Legal Status: As of 2017, all types of gambling including the sports betting are allowed.
- Gambling Prohibitions: Gambling is mostly lawful; however, there are certain rules with regard to casinos, which are mostly directed at the Gambian population and their ineligibility to play in casinos.
Legislation Dates:
- 1965: The first phase of legalization under the British’s laws that were inherited.
- March 2015: Total ban in the reign of the former president Yahya Jammeh of the Gambia.
- 2017: Re-legalization of marijuana under President Barrow is about to begin.
Regulatory Agencies
Control of the gambling activities incorporating those of bookmakers is exercised by different governmental departments. Nonetheless, compliance is usually poor, especially in the countryside.
Allowed and Prohibited Bets
- Allowed: Gambling, lotteries and sports betting.
- Prohibited: There are some special prohibitions that are placed on Gambians regarding those places like casinos.
Licensing of Gambia Bookmakers
The process for obtaining a gambling license involves several steps:
Provisional License:
- Purpose: Permits the initial organisation and the capital procurement.
Requirements:
- Experienced board of directors
- Detailed business plan
- Risk management, data management and compliance to the set policies and procedures.
- Sufficient capital evidence
- Certified gaming software and other facilities.
- Duration: 6 months to meet the obligations that they have agreed upon to meet.
Full Gaming License:
Activities Permitted: In this case, the organization will engage in the gaming operations and related services.
Process:
- Provision of a detailed business proposal.
- The setting up of a board of directors
- Implementation of approved software
- Paying for the change in license
- Regular activity reports for the compliance.
Taxation for Bookmakers
Gambian gambling tax rates are as follows:
- Gambling Tax (Pool & Betting Tax): Then there is the case of 10% on gross winnings.
- Corporate Tax: 27% (it was 31% in the year 2021).
- Player Winnings: Bookies are required to take out 10% from the winnings of the players; the players do not pay any other taxes.
Sports Betting in Gambia
- Sports Betting Popularity: Sports betting is the most preferred form of betting in Gambia and almost all the small towns have many betting shops. These outlets sell lottery tickets and are sometimes a part of a chain of such outlets.
- Casinos: Based in the major towns such as Serrekunda, and due to high entry fee charges, Casinos are not very common and are mostly frequented by tourists and the wealthy populace. People of The Gambia are not allowed by the law to gamble in these establishments.
Sporting Event Glory Milestones
- 2012: The Gambia’s National football team also known as the Scorpions qualifies for the African Cup of Nations for the first time.
- 2015: T-Ban on all forms of gambling during Yahya Jammeh’s administration as the president of the Gambia.
- 2017: Gambling has only been recently legalised again under the government of President Adama Barrow.
- 2018: Gambia volleyball team emerges champion in the just concluded African Volleyball Championship.
- 2019: The Gambian men’s 4 x 400m relay squad take gold at the African Games.
Conclusion
Finally, it can be stated that although the legal framework of gambling in Gambia is rather complicated and has experienced significant changes, the re-legalization of gambling activities provided new opportunities for the industry’s development. Nonetheless, the sector remains a hub that delivers important economic values such as employment opportunities and large amounts of tax revenue even with the problems of noncompliance with the laws and tax avoidance. The rapidly growing sports betting industry alone shows that the country’s gambling industry is constantly developing.
FAQ of Gambia Bookmakers
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