The Situation of Online Gambling in Ghana

The African continent, like much of the world, has made a pastime out of casino and sports betting over the years. However, land-based gambling had been the predominant form, with iGaming lagging significantly. With technological advancements in telecommunication devices and the internet, more of the populace is gaining access to smartphones.

Ghana, in particular, has over 4 million smartphone users, with the bulk of those numbers engaging in some form of online gambling. Because the country was slow to follow up with the online gambling trend initially, many players skipped the PC phase and immediately leaped onto mobile gaming. So the best online casinos for Ghanaians are those supporting mobile compatibility.

Ghana Gambling Legislation –Then and Now

Initial provisions made for gambling in the country are dated back to the ‘60s. They comprised the Lotteries and Betting Act of 1960, the Football Pools Authority Act of 1961, the Gambling Machines Decree of 1973, and the 1975 Casino Licensing Decree. These laws aimed to regulate land-based casinos, which were the only kind available at the time.

Fast-forward to 2006, the Gambling Act was passed to revise and update the previous ones, which at this point were rather outdated laws. However, it still failed to address online gambling, which is why the issue remains in a legal grey area to date.

Current Status of Online Gambling

Being in a legal grey area implies that the law makes no provisions for the subject matter. Hence, online gambling is neither expressly legal or illegal. On a positive note, both local and offshore companies are free to operate within the country. There are no restrictions on advertising, and businesses have little or no taxation worries. The legal situation is a loophole that operators strive to wriggle their way into, and there are now hundreds of online casinos accessible to Ghanaians.

With so many sites available on the market, players get the most competitive odds and bonus offers. But while this aspect is favorable, player protection is practically non-existent. Concepts like responsible gambling and self-exclusion are not provided for. Players are not protected against scam sites, and online betting is entirely at the player’s risk. The Gaming Commission of Ghana, established by the Act of 2006, is the relevant authority for gambling in the country. However, it has a limited reach over the industry as the law does not cover online gambling.

What Are The Available Online Gambling Opportunities?

Online gambling sites have flocked to Ghana and Africa as a whole in recent years so much that there is no shortage of virtual betting venues. From local sites like SafariBet and Premier Betting to international companies such as Bet365 and Betway, sports bettors have ample betting platforms to visit. Casino gambling is equally popular, and sites like Casino.com and Casino Midas are player favorites.

Casino lovers have the top slots and table games like Blackjack, Roulette, and Baccarat to choose from. Punters can also wager on a wide range of sports, including football, volleyball, basketball, and tennis. The lottery is another popular betting option for countrymen and continues to remain prominent.

Future Considerations

As the online gambling situation is already very liberal, any updates to the legislation may move to implement stricter regulations. However, lawmakers appear slow to make changes in this regard, so for the time being, it is safe to say that the situation will continue as is. From the pool of options, playing at a licensed casino is always your best bet at safe gaming in Ghana. Licensing will guarantee fair play and is a signature of the most reliable sites.