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

Sudan Bookmakers

Sudan Bookmakers

Sudan is a country that is part of both the Sub-Saharan Africa. Sudan, has one of the richest histories, has not been very favorable on gambling especially on the Sudan bookmakers and sports betting. In this article, the reader will ... Read More about Sudan Bookmakers
Chad Bookmakers

Chad Bookmakers

Chad is in central Africa with its neighbors including Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Nigeria and Cameroon to the southwest, and Niger to the west; has a special gambling environment ... Read More about Chad Bookmakers
Morocco Bookmakers

Morocco Bookmakers

The Kingdom of Morocco is a North African Arab country that lies along the Atlantic Ocean; it is bordered by Algeria to the east and southeast, Western Sahara to the south, and Spain and Portugal to the north. Its capital ... Read More about Morocco Bookmakers
Guinea-Bissau Bookmakers

Guinea-Bissau Bookmakers

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 ... Read More about Guinea-Bissau 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
Cameroon Bookmakers

Cameroon Bookmakers

Cameroon is in the middle of Central and Western Africa and has Nigeria to its west, Chad to its northeast, Central African Republic to the east and south it has Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Republic of Congo. Cameroon's gambling industry ... Read More about Cameroon 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
Eswatini Bookmakers

Eswatini Bookmakers

Eswatini, or Swaziland as it used to be called is situated in the southernmost part of Africa and is neighbored by South Africa on three sides, namely the north, west and south, while the eastern side is bordered by the ... Read More about Eswatini Bookmakers
Gabon Bookmakers

Gambia Bookmakers

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, ... Read More about Gambia Bookmakers
Egypt Bookmakers

Egypt Bookmakers

Egypt is one of the most historically significant and culturally diverse countries in the world and, therefore, has a rather specific approach to the regulation of gambling. Despite the fact that the majority of the population is Muslim and religion ... Read More about Egypt Bookmakers
Scroll to Top