South Sudan Bookmakers

South Sudan is located in northeast Africa, and is a new nation state that was born on the 9th of July, 2011 from the results of the Sudan Referandum. Most of the traditional games in South Sudan have been wars and fighting, and thus; wrestling was one of the most popular games among the people. In the present generation though, football has come to be the most popular game in the country. South Sudan is a sports loving nation but has very strict laws regarding gambling which poses a challenge to South Sudan bookmakers and sports betting.

South Sudan Bookmakers

2011: South Sudan becomes an Independent country after seceding from Sudan.

2012: The South Sudan national football team is admitted into FIFA.

2017: The basketball team won the East African Basketball Championship.

2021: Anti-money laundering and combating terrorism have been developed.

2024: South Sudan’s judo team wins East and Central African Championship.

Gambling Law and Current Situation

Nonetheless, South Sudan is very much passionate about sports, and at the same time, very strict in regards to gambling. Since Sudan gained independence in the year 2011, the country has adhered to strict anti-gambling laws to date. Based on the South Sudan Penal Code specifically Section 237, gambling in all its forms is prohibited including online gambling. Here’s a detailed look at the country’s gambling legislation:

Gambling Laws and Legislation Across the History

  • 2011: South Sudan becomes the newest country after seceding from Sudan.
  • 2011 – Present: This vice has been unlawful since the time of independence of the country.
  • Section 237 of the Penal Code: This section lays down that any person who runs a gaming house, a lottery office, or in any way helps in the organization of these activities without holding a required permission from the proper authority commits an offense liable to the punishment of imprisonment for a term of six months, a fine, or both.

Surprisingly, South Sudan is not an Islamic country, yet there are no gambling facilities, and there is no national lottery either. Another thing that is also prohibited is online gambling and there isn’t any a licensed online gambling company in the country. Yet, due to the fact that there are no legal prohibitions and no attempt is made to enforce them, some international offshore gambling sites are open to players from South Sudan.

Regulatory of South Sudan Bookmakers

There are ongoing efforts to enhance the capacities of South Sudan in the fight against money laundering/ financing of terrorism. South Sudan has recently, in June 2021, made a high-level commitment to enhance the AML/CFT framework by completing its NRA. However, progress has been limited, and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) continues to encourage South Sudan to implement its action plan:

  • Review of AML/CFT Act (2012): Assisted by the international partners for the fulfillment of FATF standards.
  • Implementation of International Conventions: 100% compliance with the 1988 Vienna convention, the 2000 Palermo convention and the 1999 Terrorist financing convention.
  • Risk-Based Approach: Organizing the competent authorities in a manner that will enable them to effectively exercise supervision of AML/CFT of FI.
  • Legal Framework for Beneficial Ownership Information: Creating a clear plan of how to obtain and validate information on beneficial ownership.
  • Operational Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU): Creation of a stand alone FIU.
  • Legal and Institutional Framework for Financial Sanctions: Implementing the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council in counter-terrorism and related to financing of weapons of mass destruction.
  • Targeted Risk-Based Supervision of NPOs: Supervision of non profit organisations vulnerable to the use of funds for terrorism.

Prohibited and Allowed Bets

Since gambling is outlawed in South Sudan, sports betting as well as other types of betting are also banned. There are no provisions regarding certain kinds of bets and no licenses for gambling business are granted.

Gambling Licenses and Fees

Since gambling is unlawful, there are no issued licenses for bookmakers or any other kind of gambling operation in South Sudan. This means:

  • No Licenses Issued: As of now there are no legal procedures provided for issuance of gambling licenses.
  • No Fees: therefore, there are no charges that are taken in the issuance of gambling licenses.

Gambling Taxes

Also, because of the ban on gambling, there is no special legalized regulation of gambling revenues in South Sudan. This includes:

  • No Online Casino Taxation: To the present, there is no structure on how to impose taxes on online casino sites.
  • No General Gambling Taxes: Gambling winnings and even the operators are free from paying taxes.

Sports betting in South Sudan

To the shock of many, the South Sudanese do not have a culture of gambling as it is outlawed; however, the people’s love for sports especially football is evident. The government has an interest in the development of sports with an aim of encouraging the youth, there is the South Sudan Youth Sports Association (SSYSA) that conducts football clinics in Juba on a regular basis. Here are some key milestones in South Sudanese sports:

  • 2018: The national rugby team of South Sudan takes the East and Central African Rugby Championship.
  • 2019: South Sudan national cricket team having done extremely well during the championship emerged the winners of the East and Central African Cricket Championship.
  • 2020: The South Sudan national volleyball team has emerged winner of the East and Central African region volleyball championship.
  • 2021: South Sudan national athletics team emerges champions at the East and Central African Athletics Championship.
  • 2022: South Sudanese National Swimming Team emerges Champions of the East and Central African Swimming Championship.
  • 2023: South Sudan national Taekwondo team emerges champions at the East and Central African Taekwondo Championship.
  • 2024: The national Judo team of South Sudan emerge champion at the East and Central African Judo Championship.

Some famous athletes from South Sudan:

Several South Sudanese athletes have made their mark on the international stage:

  • Luol Deng: A two time All Star player of the National Basketball Association.
  • Guor Marial: An Olympic marathon runner of the 2012 Olympic Games held in London.
  • Margret Rumat Rumat Hassan: He is the track and field athlete who competed in the 400m event at the 2011 All-Africa Games where he got a bronze medal.
  • Yiech Pur Biel: The jet skier of the year 2016 who has also competed in the Rio Olympic games.

Conclusion

Therefore, notwithstanding the anti-gambling laws of South Sudan, the cultures of the society concerning sports have not been dampened. It is essential to comprehend the present legal environment concerning the South Sudanese market and its prospects in the sports and possible betting area.

FAQ about South Sudan Bookmakers

Africa Bookmakers

Mali Bookmakers

Mali Bookmakers

Mali, a country located in the western part of Africa is another country that has undergone a number of changes in the laws and regulations concerning gambling. This article contains information on the legal framework of the Mali bookmakers gambling, ... Read More about Mali Bookmakers
Djibouti Bookmakers

Djibouti Bookmakers

Located on the western side of the Gulf of Aden in northeastern Africa, that is predominantly a Muslim country with rather oppressive views on gambling, has found a way to legalize and regulate some forms of gambling. Aims to analyze ... Read More about Djibouti 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
Liberia Bookmakers

Liberia Bookmakers

Liberia is situated in Western Africa and has a neighbor countries such as Guinea, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire and the Atlantic Ocean has been engaged in the provision of gambling services since 1982. Over the years, there have been some ... Read More about Liberia 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
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
Tanzania Bookmakers

Tanzania Bookmakers

Tanzania is a country in eastern Africa , south of the equator with its capital in Dodoma. On the northern part, it is connected to Kenya and Uganda while on the southern part are Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the ... Read More about Tanzania Bookmakers
Seychelles Bookmakers

Seychelles Bookmakers

The Seychelles is an archipelagic country in the Indian Ocean, and it may well be regarded as one of the most supportive jurisdictions for many kinds of business activities, including gambling. This paper has reviewed the Nation’s gambling laws as ... Read More about Seychelles 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
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
Scroll to Top