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The Republic of Benin is one of the countries in west Africa that has Porto-Novo as its capital city. Apart from having one of the most diverse cultures, it has fairly low internet connectivity. So far, Benin has been able to put in place a legal framework with regards to gambling. In this article, the author posits himself to discuss the existing legal framework of gambling in the Kingdom of Benin.
This article was written on September 13, 2024, and is based on information available on that date. Because regulations by nature are subject to change, one should consult with local experts for the most current information available pertaining to gambling laws in Benin.
Land-based gambling regulations
There are basically two major laws that outline how Benin approaches gambling.
- 2002, Gambling Act
First, there is the 2002 Gambling Act that formulates key land-based gambling provisions. It contains an organised system for the regulation of activities such as casinos and lotteries. In this way, it ascertains that the same rules and regulations are observed to even further the concepts of fairness and openness in the trade.
- 2005, National Lottery Act
The second relevant body in gaming in Benin is the Loterie Nationale du Bénin. The LNB was created by the National Lottery Act, 2005, which made provision for the regulation and issuance of licenses concerning different types of lotteries. These include conventional lotteries, scratch-off games, lotteries conducted on a weekly basis, sports wagering, and betting on horse racing events. Through such regulation, it aids in carrying out such activities within the confines of the law and controls and ensures regulatory integrity in the gambling industry in Benin.
Benin boasts of a gambling industry, and the biggest city of the country is Cotonou, where the main gambling houses are located. One of the biggest is a casino in the Benin Marina Hotel that offers a modest choice of games: It offers anything from video poker to slot machines and a single table of roulette.
Online gambling and future regulations
Although online gambling is not regulated in Benin because of the country’s low internet penetration rate, there is a growing interest in that sector. Thus, the government feels the need for better control and announces plans to develop a digital monitoring system. With this new system in place, it would be much easier to regulate: track the gambling activities more effectively, block illegal operations, and strengthen player protections.
The role of the proposed control platform will be to ensure equal treatment for the operators of games of chance, increasing competition and strengthening the struggle against illegal activities like tax evasion and money laundering. It will also aim at protecting the vulnerable and not allowing underage gambling.
Licenses and player protections
Currently, no clear procedure has been laid down regarding licensing with respect to online gambling in Benin. Until now, the regulation has been confined to only the land-based sector, and only one casino and a national lottery have been licensed. In the absence of any regulation about online gambling, players who decide to play on international gambling sites are at the mercy of their reputation.
At the moment, there is no formal system of protection for online gamblers in Benin.
As such, players must look out for themselves through caution and selecting reputable locations to gamble online. Lack of clarity in regulation creates a void that may be improved as the government develops in its capabilities to regulate gambling.
The future ahead
The gambling industry in Benin is likely to undergo an important transformation, with a government very keen on technological improvements to regulation. While there are no current plans to specifically regulate online gambling, this new digital monitoring system may very well pave the way for further development.
As the face of gambling legislation continues to evolve across Africa, Benin could well go the way—most recently, countries such as Kenya and Nigeria already have—of offering a centralised monitoring system along with introducing digital means of collecting taxes. This method not only ensures that any due tax is collected but also makes gambling much safer and more reliable.
Where can I find professional advice about Benin’s gambling laws?
Consultancies or law firms operating in Benin will help the researcher with expert advice on the regularisation of gambling. It is not expected that firms specialising in this aspect of the law would be advertised; however, general legal services operating in Benin may have knowledge and experience to share regarding the regularisation process of gambling.
On the other hand, while existing Benin legislation related to gambling has indeed put more emphasis on land-based gambling activities, the generally expected digital monitoring system would mean one step closer to widening this activity. This industry continuously evolves, so future changes and further developments in regulations are to be followed closely.
Interested to know more? Read the full iGaming market research report here.
