Senegal Bookmakers

Senegal lies in the western part of Africa and has a history and legislation that defines the current situation with regard to gambling. These activities are linked to Senegal’s strict gambling laws. This article examines the detailed rules and regulations concerning Senegal bookmakers and sports betting, the history of legislations, the authorities in charge of regulating the industry, and the events that have characterized the development of the industry in the country.

Senegal Bookmakers

1966: Law No. 66-58 on the legalization of gambling.

1993: Allowing of casinos through Decree No. 93-59.

2004: Amendment of gambling laws and legalising of online betting with Decree No. 2004-1252.

2022: The Senegal national football team claimed the African Nations Cup.

2011 & 2013: Gold medals in athletics and judo at the African Championships for the year.

Senegalese Gambling law Historical Background

Independence and Early Legislation

  • 1960: France used to rule Senegal, thus, when Senegal became an independent state, French gambling laws became irrelevant in the country.
  • 1960 – 1966: This activity was unlawful in this period.
  • 1966: The legalization of gambling was enshrised through the Law No. 66-58 on the 30th of June 1966. This law also created the state owned Loterie Nationale Senegalaise (LONASE).

Subsequent Legal Developments

  • 1993: The casinos were legalised through the Decree No. 93-59 of the 25th of January 1993. The first casino known as Société Casino du Cap-Vert was set in Dakar-Ngor.
  • 2004: Online gambling was legalized and a new gambling legislation was passed through Decree 2004-1252 which is still the principal gambling law to this day.

Overview of Gambling Laws

Senegal’s gambling laws have evolved to encompass a range of activities:

  • Lottery: Namely, holding a monopoly of LONASE.
  • Sports Betting: Another good which is also controlled by LONASE.
  • Casino Gambling: Legal and regulated thus becoming part of the economy.
  • Poker: Allowed only in the areas of licensed casinos.

Key Legislation

  • Law No. 66-58 (June 30, 1966): Concerning the management and control of the gambling establishments.
  • Decree No. 93-59 (January 25, 1993): It allows gambling.
  • Decree No. 2004-1252 (September 17, 2004): Modernised the gambling law; the regulation of online gambling and the current legal structure.

Regulatory Bodies

Minister of the Interior and the Minister of the Economy and Finance are the officials who regulate the issuance of licenses for gambling establishments. LONASE, the state owned company for lotteries, is the only company legally allowed to offer online gambling services in Senegal and is regulated by the Senegalese Ministry of Finance.

Bookmakers and Betting Regulations

Licensing and Fees

The article 8 of the Decree no. 2004-1252 also provides that the licenses for the gambling establishments including the bookmakers are granted by the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Economy and Finance. Both the primary and the private licenses for online gambling are held by LONASE and for this reason, the private operators are allowed to work in partnership with LONASE to offer their services legally.

Taxation

Senegal imposes a tiered gambling tax:

  • 20% on the gross gaming yield up to a limit of 1,000,000 West African CFA Francs (Approximately 1500 Euros).
  • 30% on gross gaming revenue for earning between 1,000,000 and 5,000,000 West African Francs.
  • Selecting 40 percent of the gross gaming revenue from any amount between five million and ten million West African francs.
  • 60% of the gross gaming revenue over the sum of ten million West African francs per year.

Besides these, the normal corporate tax rate of 30% is also charged.

Senegal Bookmakers and Sports Betting

Legal Sports Betting Activities

Sports betting, a monopoly of LONASE, includes several forms:

  • Traditional Sports Betting: Football and other sport activities.
  • Horse Racing: Horse race betting through a arrangement with Pari Mutuel Urbain to enable the Senegalese to place their bets on French races.
  • Virtual and Fantasy Sports: It is also being seen more frequently especially among the younger generation.
  • Online Sports Betting: It is legal since 2004 with companies like PremierBet Senegal that is in a working relationship with LONASE.

Sporting Event Glory Milestones

Senegal’s national teams have celebrated numerous successes:

  • 2002: The national football team had its first World Cup match against France which they beat.
  • 2019: The national team went as far as the quarter finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.
  • 2022: This year’s African Nations Cup has been won by Senegal, this is the first title that the country has ever won.
  • 2011: Sprinter Amy Sène took the gold medal in the women’s 200m event during the African Championships in Athletics.
  • 2013: At the African Championships, Judo athlete of the Gambia, Mamadou Ndiaye clinched the gold medal in the men’s under 81 kg.

Conclusion

The process of the development of gambling and sports betting in Senegal is characterized by the frequent policy changes and shift in the regulation. The regulation and licensing of gambling activities are provided by the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Economy and Finance; LONASE is also involved in regulating both the offline and online sectors of gambling.

FAQ of Senegal Bookmakers

Africa Bookmakers

Ghana Bookmakers

Ghana Bookmakers

Ghana, a West African country situated on the northern part of the Gulf of Guinea and attained its independence in 1960. Since the inception of gambling industry especially Ghana bookmakers and Ghana sports betting, Ghana’s legislation and regulatory frameworks have ... Read More about Ghana Bookmakers
Congo Bookmakers

Congo Bookmakers

The Republic of Congo is located in west-central Africa, The Republic of Congo is bordered by the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola to the east and south respectively, Central Africa and Cameroon to the north, Gabon to the west, ... Read More about Congo 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
Burundi Bookmakers

Burundi Bookmakers

Burundi, a country located in East Africa, Neighboring countries include Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west and Lake Tanganyika to the southwest. In this article, we zoom in ... Read More about Burundi Bookmakers
Madagascar Bookmakers

Madagascar Bookmakers

Madagascar is one of the island countries in the Indian Ocean that is endowed with a fascinating culture and rapidly developing gambling industry. Although the country is comparatively small in size, it has established a proper structure for Madagascar bookmakers ... Read More about Madagascar Bookmakers
South Africa Bookmakers

South Africa Bookmakers

South Africa with its location in the southern part of the African continent boast of a culture and beautiful natural attractions. It is connected to the Indian Ocean to the East and the Atlantic Ocean to the west while the ... Read More about South Africa 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
Central African Republic Bookmakers

Central African Republic Bookmakers

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 ... Read More about Central African Republic Bookmakers
Lesotho Bookmakers

Lesotho Bookmakers

Lesotho is an enclaved country in southeastern Africa, Lesotho has a quickly developing gambling business, and in the last few years, the country has achieved much to manage its bookmakers and sports betting sector. This article aims to give an ... Read More about Lesotho Bookmakers
Scroll to Top