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Geographically, it is a Northern African nation that is widely regarded as being part of East Africa. The country broke away from Sudan in 2011 to become an independent nation. The newly independent country is still undeveloped in many aspects, including regulations concerning gambling.
According to the available laws, or more precisely, Section 237 of the Penal Code, online gambling is banned in South Sudan. Except for the negligible percentage of the country having access to the internet, the country has actually paid less attention to the passing of laws regulating gambling activities. The article takes a deep look at the gambling regulations in South Sudan.
This article was written on October 8, 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 South Sudan.
If you want to know more, read the full iGaming market research report.
Does South Sudan have its own gambling license?
Currently, South Sudan does not issue licenses for gambling since gambling itself is outlawed under its law. Section 237 of the South Sudan Penal Code criminalises online gambling, and there is no system for obtaining a license to offer such services within the country. However, some South Sudanese players can reach several offshore gambling sites that work without any further intervention of the local authorities. This means that residents who participate in such activities do so at their own risk.
Who regulates gambling laws in South Sudan?
Unlike many other countries that have a regulating authority or body solely for gambling activities, South Sudan does not have an official authority for this purpose. The government of South Sudan has made gambling illegal both online and offline, and hence, there is no agency to regulate or enforce the gambling laws beyond the general provisions of the penal code.
An overview of South Sudan’s gaming laws
The South Sudan legislation severely controls online and land-based gambling. Online gambling is prohibited. Section 237 of the Penal Code in South Sudan provides that gambling through the internet is illegal. No domestic operators exist, and South Sudanese residents who gamble online do so by accessing offshore sites, which is technically not in line with the law.
Because there is no licensing system in South Sudan—due to gambling being illegal in the country—no one is licensed or regulated. This also means that no entities based in South Sudan are allowed to legally offer any gambling services.
Risk in Using Offshore Sites: Without direct enforcement against individuals accessing offshore online casinos, players do so at their own risk. The Government of South Sudaness does not condone such activities, nor does any protection under the law extend to players.
Legal precedents in South Sudan regarding gambling regulation
Since there has never been a proper gambling industry, there have not been that many important legal challenges or court cases with regards to the regulation of it either. Broader subjects such as economic development and infrastructure have taken precedence in the country’s legal system. Due to the lack of developments in other areas of their law system, the gambling regulation portion has remained untouched. Of course, with the expansion of internet access and its exposure to more and more of its citizens, that might very well change in years to come.
Where does the buck stop in South Sudan?
Still, the line is clear: in South Sudan, gambling online, most specifically, is against the law. Offshore casinos continue to reach out towards South Sudanese players, but the government has done nothing special in blocking these sites or prosecuting anyone for it, with accessing such websites still a bit of a legal grey area.
That is important in making the South Sudanese players understand the risks that are there. Since local laws ban online gambling, there is no protection if something goes wrong with using those offshore platforms. This includes disputes over money, unfair practices, or fraud.
Possible future in regards to regulations on gambling within South Sudan
With this, the country is still developing, and with the growth of the economy, it may have more interests in formalising or regulating certain industries. However, with the country’s stance today on such a matter, among other priorities, it is unlikely there would be any major changes with their gambling laws anytime soon.
If access to the internet continues to expand and more of its citizens start betting online, then perhaps South Sudan will reconsider changing its legislation regulating gambling. A regular gaming market would bring in tax dollars while doing a better job of protecting its citizens from possible harms from unregulated gaming. But as it stands now, there’s no indication the government will waver from this rigid position.
Where Might I Get Professional Advice Regarding South Sudan’s Gambling Laws?
For expert advice on gambling laws in South Sudan, if that is the case, one would consult either consultations with local attorneys or international law firms that may be experienced in African gaming laws. While the current environment does not cover legal gambling, the legal experts will navigate against engaging with any heavy legal issues related to offshore online gambling platforms.
