Tunisia, the country with its capital Tunis is situated at the north of Africa and shares its border with Algeria in the west and Libya in the southeast and on its north and east lies the Mediterranean Sea. Although the history of gambling in Tunisia is rather extensive, the situation has evolved significantly in the context of sports betting and Tunisia bookmakers. This paper has discussed various aspects of the country’s gambling laws, legal frameworks, and authorities that govern gambling, and so on.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
History of Gambling Legislation in Tunisia
- Key Milestones:
- 1957: Declaration of the Tunisian Republic. Gambling was prohibited from the very beginning of the republic’s formation.
- 1957 – 1974: All kinds of lottery and games of chance were absolutely forbidden.
- 1974: Hat was to promote the hospitality industry, Law-decree no 74-20 on Betting, Chance, and Lottery Games was put into effect legalizing some forms of betting.
- 1984: Sports betting was legalised in the year 2013 through the law no 63-D and the national gambling company is Promosports.
- 2022: The legalization of online gambling started with Sisal, a subsidiary of the Irish Flutter Entertainment receiving the national lottery license.
Current Legal Framework
Gambling Laws
While the 1957 Tunisian Penal Code, based on traditional Shari’ah law, expressly forbids gambling, several forms of gambling have been legalized:
- Casinos (only for foreigners)
- Horse Racing Betting
- Lottery
- Sports Betting
Regulatory Agencies
- Ministry of Tourism: Responsible for granting of the casino licenses.
- Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Physical Education: Responsible for the licensing of sports betting and lottery.
- Promosport: Responsible for the management of sub-licensing of lottery retailer and the other related sub-licensing.
Allowed and Prohibited Bets
Allowed Bets
- Casinos (restricted to foreigners)
- Horse Racing Betting
- Lottery
- Sports Betting
- Internet gambling (including Internet sports betting, and electronic lottery)
Prohibited Bets
It is forbidden for the locals to engage in casino gambling.
Licenses and Fees of Tunisia Bookmakers
Types of Licenses
- Casino Licenses: Published by the Ministry of Tourism, culture and national integration.
- Sports Betting and Lottery Licenses: Promoted by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Physical Education with the sub-licensed from Promosport.
Licensing Fees
Information on the licensing fees of various forms of gambling activities is governed by the ministries and Promosport.
Taxation on Gambling
For Operators
In accordance with law no. 53-2015 of December 25, 2015, and Article 30 of the bill on the budget of 2021:
- Gambling Tax: 15% of the gross operating margin should be given as the cash reserve to be maintained.
- Local Authority Tax: 0. The fee is 2% of the turnover of the local construction works, with a minimum that is calculated according to the size of the construction used by the entity.
- Online Gambling Tax Rates: An amount equal to 15 percent of the gross operating margin.
- Standard Corporate Tax: 25% is for gambling operators.
Gambling is exempted from tax and any activity relating to gambling is fully taxable.
For Players
- Gambling profits are subject to Income Tax on Personal Income.
- The tax charge shall be withheld at the rate of 25% on revenue derived from betting, gambling and lottery games.
- The casinos usually deduct the VAT from the amounts given to the players as winnings.
Tunisia Sports Betting
Betting on sports in Tunisia is authorized and mostly provided by Promosport. It has a rather active population, which is fond of various sports; however, football is the most popular one. The Men’s football team commonly known as the Eagles of Carthage, is the national football team of Tunisia, they have competed in the FIFA World Cup four times and won the 2004 African Cup of Nations.
Tunisia has also performed well in other games like handball, basketball, and athletics among others; with famous icons like Habiba Ghribi and Oussama Mellouli.
Sporting Event Glory Milestones
- 2004: Carthage Eagles clinched the African Cup of Nations.
- 2005: Tunisia was the host of the Handball World Championship; the team of the country reached the fourth place.
- 2011: Tunisia claims the title for the FIBA Africa Championship in basketball.
- 2012: Habiba Ghribi took the gold in the women’s 3000m steeplechase in the London Olympics.
- 2008: Oussama Mellouli who is a swimmer got the gold in the 1500m freestyle at Beijing Olympics.
Conclusion
The gambling industry especially in the sports betting and bookmakers has grown tremendously in Tunisia. The country has the strict rules regarding the gambling industry and high taxes to guarantee that the industry will not harm the folks and will benefit the state. In order to get more information about Tunisia bookmakers and sports betting, please use the service of our website and its updates.
FAQ: Tunisia Bookmakers
Related content
Africa Bookmakers
Central African Republic Bookmakers