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Gambling Laws Across Africa

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Africa has been open for business providing investors with strong economic opportunities. The continent enjoys many factors in its favor.

  • Strong population growth
  • Significant development of middle class
  • Vast natural resources
  • Disposable income opportunity

One area that is attracting a great deal of interest in Africa is investment in gambling establishments. The gaming market of Africa has a great deal of potential. This despite the wide range laws and regulations surrounding gaming in Africa. Regulations have hindered foreign investment. In some cases banned gaming completely on religious grounds. Nonetheless, mobile gaming online casinos have achieved high popularity. This seems to be the direction of Africa’s casino industry.

Online Gambling Regulations

Many of the countries with lenient or flexible legal frameworks have online gambling regulations. In South Africa the national gambling Act of 2004 made gambling legal on a national level. The law allowed every province to set their own local regulations. Online gambling regulation is a web of federal and provincial frameworks.

The law stipulates that online casinos must receive provincial gambling licenses. An online casino operating across South Africa would need nine provincial licenses. Consumers seeking to gamble online should only consider their local laws carefully. Regulated establishments are required to meet minimum standards for things like data protection. Laws are in place to protect the consumer at the end of the day.

African Gaming Regulations

There are countries where opportunities abound and the gambling laws are very lenient. These locales encourage locals and foreigners to play. These jurisdictions host online casinos which include sports betting, table games, live casino games, and slot games.

The Ivory Coast is one such locale. New more lenient laws passed in 2020 allow online gambling. The framework created a clear licensing process to protect consumers. The regulations don’t speak on types of games allowed. Data regulation is the focus and addresses the challenge both internally and overseas.

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Tanzania is another country with lenient laws. The official Gambling Act 2019 details regulations and licensing requirements. The law also features ongoing compliance requirements. In Tanzania, both online casinos and physical land based casinos are regulated lightly.

In Nigeria, the National Lottery Act of 2005 was amended in 2017. The law establishes regulatory bodies for lotteries. The federal and state level governments are allowed to operate lottery games. The laws are quite clear regulating online gambling as a viable and legal activity. Casinos are legal and well-regulated. Individuals can engage in sports betting, online card games, arcades and slot games. They can do so online thanks in large part to the range of data protection laws. 

Gambling laws in Zambia are vast with many pieces of legislation:

  • English Gaming Act
  • The Lotteries Act
  • The Gaming Machines Prohibition (1994)
  • The Betting Control Act
  • The Tourism and Hospitality Act

These acts have influenced the path of gaming in Zambia. The lotteries and betting control boards act as regulators to ensure casinos follow the clear licensing framework. They also have ongoing compliance requirements laid out by the laws. Sports betting, card games, and lotteries are all well regulated. This is true for both online casinos or physical casinos. What’s more, there are data protection laws in place overseen by the Zambia information and Communications Technology Authority. This means that operators within Zambia have to ensure the client data is well protected.

Moderate Frameworks

There are plenty of countries where the laws are less flexible. They allow for very specific types of gambling online and in physical locations. The Algerian civil code prohibits gambling. The exception to this is sports betting. This is allowed to take place in online sports betting site and includes horse races. At present online gambling is not heavily regulated. Laws do not have clear licensing frameworks in place nor data protection laws.

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Strictest African Gambling Laws

There are still several countries across the African continent which have very strict laws about gambling . They usually prohibit physical casinos or online opportunities on religious grounds. In Sudan laws prohibit gambling for investments or by individuals. The online gambling industry is not explicitly regulated though. In addition, there are no tax implications associated with moving money in and out of the country. This creates a uniquely bad environment for legal gaming in Sudan. There are no data protection regulations in place for those who gamble online. This despite the large loophole in the law which allows online gambling to exist. The lack of regulation and clear framework is bound to cause issues eventually. Only through real frameworks will the consumer be protected.

 

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People & Lifestyle

Ghana Welcomes Starlink: Revolutionizing Connectivity

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The National Communications Authority (NCA) in Ghana has recently approved the satellite broadband application of Starlink, a service by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, making Ghana the eighth African country to welcome this revolutionary internet service.

This development is set to challenge existing internet providers in the region, offering multi-gigabit speeds and lower latency through satellite technology.

Users have expressed satisfaction with Starlink’s service, citing significant improvements in speed and reliability compared to traditional providers. The service is currently available in seven African countries: Mozambique, Eswatini, Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Nigeria.

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This expansion is expected to foster healthy competition and better offers, breaking the monopoly enjoyed by some internet providers. As Starlink continues to expand, it promises to revolutionize network access and connectivity in Africa, providing a much-needed boost to internet access across the continent.

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#AOTY2023: King Promise vs. Stonebwoy

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stonebwoy king promise and kelvynbwoy

The debate over King Promise’s candidacy for Artist of the Year has sparked a lively discussion among social media users, with arguments both for and against his potential win.

Supporters highlight his sold-out shows in Asia and the impact of his music, while critics point to other artists like Stonebwoy and Black Sherif, questioning the fairness of the awards process.

The discussion showcases the diverse opinions and passion surrounding the music industry in Ghana and beyond, with users engaging in playful banter and humorous remarks while presenting their arguments.

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‘Dubai in Accra’ set to thrill Ghanaians on Sunday, April 28

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In the heart of Accra, excitement buzzes as the city eagerly anticipates the grand spectacle known as “Dubai in Accra,” set to take place this Sunday 28th April 2024 at the prestigious Stanbic Heights, Icon House Airport. (more…)

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Celebrating 25 Years: Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s Reign

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Celebrating 25 Years: Otumfuo Osei Tutu II's Reign

Today marks the 25th anniversary of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s reign as the Asantehene, the King of the Ashanti Kingdom.

The celebrations, which began with spectacular fireworks witnessed by Otumfuo himself, will culminate in the Silver Jubilee anniversary on Akwasidaekese on June 12 at Dwabrem, Manhyia Palace.

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This milestone is a testament to Otumfuo’s impactful leadership, dedication to the Asante people, and contributions to education and research as the Chancellor of KNUST.

The event is being celebrated across Ghana, with well-wishes and congratulations pouring in from various quarters, highlighting the significance of this occasion for Asanteman and Ghana as a whole.

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Mr. Beast in Ghana: Surprising Visit Sparks Excitement

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Mr. Beast

World-renowned YouTuber Mr. Beast, known for his philanthropic acts, has been spotted in Ghana, specifically in Accra and Tema, sparking excitement among locals.

His visit has led to discussions about his choice of Ghana over other African countries, with some suggesting that the country’s popularity as a tourist destination played a role.

Mr. Beast’s presence in Ghana is part of his global outreach, as he recently gifted a Ghanaian $25,000 as part of his X (Twitter) giveaway.

Read Also: Producers of 'Beast of No Nation' return to filming in Ghana, causing upset in parliament

The YouTuber has been seen exploring the country and interacting with locals, with many expressing their desire to meet him and participate in his charitable endeavors.

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Stephen Appiah to contest John Dumelo and Lydia Alhassan in MP race for Ayawaso West Wuogon

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Stephen Appiah to contest John Dumelo and Lydia Alhassan

Former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah is set to enter the political fray by rubbing shoulders with notable personalities in the upcoming general elections.

The former Juventus midfielder is believed to be lacing his boots to face the likes of John Dumelo and the incumbent member of Parliament for the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency Lydia Alhassan.

While Dumelo and Alhassan represents the NDC and NPP respectively, Appiah is expected feature in the elections as an independent candidate.

This was revealed by the Spokesperson of the Ayew family Fiifi Tackie via X on Friday afternoon.

“Stephen Appiah to contest Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency as an independent Parliamentary candidate,” he wrote.

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If Stephen Appiah affirms the reported news, he will be following in the footsteps of other renowned figures in Ghana football who have indulged in politics recently.

Earlier this year, all-time top scorer of the Black Stars Asamoah Gyan was appointed as the sub-committee chair of Youth and Sports in the campaign committee of Dr Bawumia, the flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party.

In acceptance of the appointment, Gyan emphasised the need to share hos ideas garnered through experience in the game.

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‘I have enough experience to contribute to sports – Asamoah Gyan reacts to political appointment
“I always ask myself, how do we create change if we don’t want to change? How do we spectate without being on the bench, and how do we score without being on the field?… All I know and will ever know, all I love and will ever love is SPORTS.” he stated.

Another figure in Ghana football who recently announced his intention to engage in partisan politics is Kwesi Nyantakyi, former Ghana Football Association (GFA).

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The former football administrator showed up as one of the candidates to contest in the NPP primaries for the Ejisu constituency following the demise of incumbent John Kumah.

However, it didn’t pan out well for the former Wa All Stars owner as he lost disappointingly.

He garnered a paltry 35 votes after close to 1,081 delegates had cast their votes in the parliamentary primary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) held in the Ejisu Constituency on April 13.

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