Ivory Coast Bookmakers

Cote d’Ivoire commonly referred to as Ivory Coast. This is a country in the sub-region of West Africa with its neighbors including Ghana, Liberia, Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso; Côte d’Ivoire or the Ivory Coast has been one of the most dynamic nations in Africa. This includes its gambling sector which has come a long way in the society. This article aims to discuss the gambling laws in the country with regard to Ivory Coast bookmakers, their control, types of betting, licenses, taxes, and steps in sports betting.

Ivory Coast Bookmakers

1960: Côte d’Ivoire gets independence and comes up with the first gambling laws.

1970: Foundation of the state-owned National Lottery (LONACI).

1998: Adoption of Decree No. 98-371 on the single gambling text.

2009: Revision of current legislation in relation to gambling; online gambling legalization.

2017: LONACI Unveils Online Gambling Website.

Gambling Laws in Côte d’Ivoire

The development of gambling in Ivory Coast can be divided into different stages following the country’s independence from France in 1960. Below is a timeline of major legislative milestones:

  • 1960: Ivory Coast also got its independence from France in the year 1960. The first gambling act was based on French legislation, and thus, gambling has been legal in one or another form ever since.
  • 1970: The state-owned National Lottery of Ivory Coast (LONACI), was established under the Law No. 70-208.
  • 1998: Adoption of Decree No. 98-371 on June 30th, 1998, that offered integration of the legal provisions related to gambling activities.
  • 2009: Revision of the gambling laws through Decree No. 2009-29 of February 12 that formally allow online gambling.
  • 2017: Online gambling was further legalized and LONACI started its online gambling business with the help of Parions Direct.

Laws that Regulate Gambling and the Regulatory Bodies

The regulation of gambling in Côte d’Ivoire is done under the provisions of the decree number 98-371 dated 30 June 1998 with the last amendment being the decree number 2009-29 dated 12 February 2009. The key regulatory agencies include:

  • Ministry of Interior: Authorisations for the operation of land-based gambling activities are issued by.
  • Ministry of Economy and Finance: This department is responsible for the regulation of the conducting of online gambling business.
  • Autorité de Régulation des Jeux de Hasard: Created in the year 2020 to regulate and license the games of chance. ”

Licenses are valid for up to 10 years and can be renewed for another 3 years. Applications for permits are made to the Minister of Interior and passed through a team that includes officials from the Ministries of Interior and Security, Economy and Finance, and Tourism.

Ivory Coast Bookmakers and Their Activities

Legal and Prohibited Bets

In Côte d’Ivoire all primary forms of gambling are legal but highly regulated by the government and this includes; The National Lottery of Ivory Coast (LONACI) holds a monopoly over:

  • Lottery: Tangible lotteries and other similar products like scratch-off tickets, keno, and possibly bingo.
  • Sports Betting: Sportcash, which is the other arm through which sports betting is conducted is referred to as the “virtual lottery”.
  • Online Gambling: Such as lottery, scratch cards, keno and bingo that are available online.

It is only legal for Ivorian players to gamble on licensed websites only. It is unlawful to participate in gambling activities in unregulated websites.

Licensing and Fees

Licensing for various types of gambling is done by the Ministry of Economy and Finance for the online gambling whereas the lottery related activities come under the jurisdiction of LONACI. Local licensees are expected to remit 25% of their GGR while LONACI only pays 10% of the GGR as taxes.

Casinos in Côte d’Ivoire

The only casino located on the land territory of Côte d’Ivoire is Golden Elephant Casino in Abidjan. Originally called the Hotel Ivoire Inter-Continental & Casino, the hotel got a new name in 2017. The casino offers:

  • 13 Gaming Tables: For the tourists only; we offer blackjack, roulette, and craps.
  • 80+ Slot Machines: Numerous forms of electronic games.
  • 4 Poker Tables: No Limit Hold’em is their forte.

The activity of Lotteries and Other Gambling Activities.

LONACI was founded in 1970 and provides lottery games such as the draw-based games and instant games such as scratch tickets. Lottery money goes to the government and social needs such as education and health among other needs. The company has ventured into the provision of other products that can be accessed online; these include various slots, bingo, and sports betting.

Ivory Coast Sports Betting

Sporting activities betting, a LONACI’s business under the brand name Sportcash, was launched into the market in the year 2012. It is available at numerous betting shops across the country and offers:

  • Pre-game Wagers: Bets placed before the commencement of the different sporting activities.
  • Live Betting: It permits betting during the events.
  • Virtual League: Takes only 3 minutes to get the results and the payouts for virtual sports.

Sporting Event Glory Milestones

  • 1984: Côte d’Ivoire has the privilege of hosting the African Cup of Nations and in the process finishes fifth.
  • 1985: Ivory Coast takes the trophy at the African Basketball Championship.
  • 1995: National rugby union team gets to the Rugby World Cup.
  • 2006-2014: National football team plays in the FIFA World Cups held in Germany, South Africa and Brazil.
  • 2015: The national football team takes the trophy of the African Cup of Nations.

Conclusion

All in all, it can be stated that Côte d’Ivoire has a rather strict approach to gambling with clear laws and supervising bodies. The country provides a diverse forms of gambling services that include lotteries, sports betting among others, hence a rich market for the local as well as the international bookmakers.

FAQ of Ivory Coast Bookmakers

Africa Bookmakers

Mauritius Bookmakers

Mauritius Bookmakers

Mauritius is an island country in the eastern Africa located in the southwestern part of the Indian Ocean near Madagascar and about 2200 km from the African coast. Nevertheless, it also has a properly regulated gambling sector, especially in the ... Read More about Mauritius Bookmakers
Eritrea Bookmakers

Eritrea Bookmakers

Situated in northeastern Africa and sharing its borders with Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and the Red Sea, Some forms of gambling are also legal though they are not regulated by the government. This comprehensive guide will cover the present status of ... Read More about Eritrea Bookmakers
Zimbabwe Bookmakers

Zimbabwe Bookmakers

Zimbabwe is a country located in southeastern Africa where gambling has been accepted by society since the early 20th century. In the years that followed, the country's gambling industry, especially Zimbabwe bookmakers and sports betting, has grown tremendously. In this ... Read More about Zimbabwe Bookmakers
Nigeria Bookmakers

Nigeria Bookmakers

Nigeria sits in the southeastern part of West Africa on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea and is a country rich in culture and minerals as well as emerging gambling industry. Nigeria has put in place substantial legal framework ... Read More about Nigeria Bookmakers
Mozambique Bookmakers

Mozambique Bookmakers

Mozambique is located in southeastern Africa, and neighbors Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west, South Africa. and Eswatini to the south, has rapidly grown its gambling industry after legalizing it in 1994 ... Read More about Mozambique Bookmakers
Réunion Bookmakers

Réunion Bookmakers

Reunion is an island in the Indian Ocean which is mainly volcanic and has a beautiful view of the island along with an active culture; nevertheless, in terms of gambling, Reunion provides a unique experience. As a part of France ... Read More about Réunion Bookmakers
Kenya Bookmakers

Kenya Bookmakers

Kenya is located on the equator in eastern Africa, with the East African Rift Valley running through it from north to south. It borders Somalia to the east, Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, Ethiopia and South Sudan ... Read More about Kenya Bookmakers
Angola Bookmakers

Angola Bookmakers

Angola is an active country located in the southwest of Africa, This is in addition to its beautiful terrains and fast growing cities, Angola is fast becoming a hub of gambling and sports betting. Most interesting is the process of ... Read More about Angola Bookmakers
São Tomé and Príncipe Bookmakers

São Tomé and Príncipe Bookmakers

São Tomé and Príncipe is an archipelagic state situated in the Gulf of Guinea on the western coast of central Africa. Thus, as the country develops, the interest in gambling and specifically in São Tomé and Príncipe bookmakers and sports ... Read More about São Tomé and Príncipe Bookmakers
DR Congo Bookmakers

DR Congo Bookmakers

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is emerging as one of the main areas of interest for the gambling business, including the land-based and the internet-based ones. The DRC has a poor political climate and an unfavourable economic situation, ... Read More about DR Congo Bookmakers
Scroll to Top