The country of Guinea-Bissau is in the continent of Africa specifically on the western part of it. Liberia is bordered by Senegal to the north, Guinea to the east and south and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Guinea-Bissau has been the focus of many changes in the country, including in the gambling sector. The history of changes in the legislation of Guinea-Bissau regarding gambling, especially Guinea-Bissau bookmakers and sports betting, has been of the last few decades since the country became independent from Portugal in 1973.
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Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
History of the Legal framework on Gambling
- 1973: The last but not the least important topic is Independence and Legalization of Gambling.
After gaining independence in 1973, Guinea-Bissau allowed gambling and thus made a path for various types of gambling such as bookmakers and sports betting. This period was characterized by the formulation of basic rules that paved way for the growth of betting.
- 2019: Comprehensive Gambling Ban
In 2019, the government came up with measures that saw most forms of gambling outlawed in a bid to fight the vice. This measure mainly focused on casinos and slot halls, which were considered to be the main stimulants of pathological gambling. However, exceptions were made for specific types of betting:However, exceptions were made for specific types of betting:
Online Betting
- Lottery (a state owned company known as Loteria Nacional de Guiné-Bissau).
- Online Lottery (Only authorized by Loteria Nacional de Guiné-Bissau).
Current Gambling Law Status
Although the restrictions that began in 2019 are quite diverse, sports betting is still one of the only legal ways to gamble both in the country and on the internet. This means that the licensed bookmakers are allowed to operate but this comes with strict measures and requirements that have to be followed to the letter.
Regulatory of Guinea-Bissau Bookmakers
The main regulatory authority in the sphere of gambling and the licensing of particular providers is the Ministry of Tourism of Guinea-Bissau (Ministério do Turismo da Guiné-Bissau). This body regulates all the betting activities and enforces the laws of the nation thus protecting all the betting activities in the country.
Bookmakers: The Types of Bets that are Allowed and the Ones that are Not Allowed
Allowed Bets
- Sports Betting: Legal and especially in football.
- Online Betting: Only allowed for those who are licensed to do so.
- Lottery: Operated only by the Loteria Nacional de Guiné-Bissau.
Prohibited Bets
- Casino Games: Such as poker, and slot machines.
- Unlicensed Online Platforms: It is prohibited to use it.
Licensing and Fees
In order to legally conduct their activities, all the bookmakers in Guinea-Bissau must be licensed by the Ministry of Tourism. The licensing procedure is quite strict and includes checking of the applicant’s documents and business activities according to the national requirements. The exact fees and taxes charged by the operators are not known to the public, but they are to remit certain amount of taxes and other fees to the government.
Taxation of Bookmakers
The specific rates of taxation for gambling business in Guinea-Bissau is also not clear. However, there is a condition that licensed operators have to undergo frequent assessments and they have to follow the guidelines of the Ministry of Tourism concerning finance. Another legal issue is the taxation of gambling winnings for which there is also no definite answer from the side of the regulators.
Sports Betting in Guinea-Bissau
Popularity and Legal Status
With football being the most popular sport, sports betting especially on football is the most popular form of gambling in Guinea-Bissau. Due to the fact that it is one of the only legal type of gambling since the ban in 2019 it has attracted much attention of the population. Similar to the above, online sports betting is legal as long as the platforms are registered.
Sporting Event Glory Milestones
Out of all the sports, football remains to be at the top among the most popular sports in Guinea-Bissau. Here are some notable milestones:
- 1998: The national football team first entered the FIFA World Cup qualifications; Guinea Bissau recorded a historical victory in Bissau.
- 2006: The women’s national football team engaged in two FIFA recognized matches which could be considered as a major development of the sport in the nation.
- 2012: Guinea-Bissau became a finalist of the African Nations Cup, thus proving the high level of its football team.
- 2019: The national team got to the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time which was a great achievement in the history of sports in the country.
Prominent Sports Figures
Guinea-Bissau has produced several notable athletes across various sports:
- Holder da Silva: A famous personality in track and field, being an athlete.
- Amadou Dia Ba: A great Olympic athlete who made the country proud through his/her performance in the race.
- Eusébio da Silva Ferreira: A world famous football player of the present time, born in Guinea-Bissau, but playing for the Portuguese team.
- Braima Suncar Dabo: An international marathoner who excelled in his / her career in the marathon events.
Conclusion
The process of gambling regulation in Guinea-Bissau shows the development of the country’s priorities and actions to regulate the industry to allow some freedom while maintaining control. Nonetheless, sports betting, which is ordinarily carried out by the Guinea-Bissau bookmakers with licences, is still legal and very popular. It is important therefore that anyone who wants to engage in gambling in Guinea-Bissau or has a stake in the country’s gambling industry, should understand these dynamics.
FAQ of Guinea-Bissau Bookmakers
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