Is online gambling legal in the Gambia?

Online gambling is not regulated here (online casino, sports betting and online poker grey/partial). Offshore sites are reachable, but if something goes wrong you may have no one to complain to.

Online sports betting is not regulated: no Gambia licence exists for it, and sites offering it operate without one. Online casino is not regulated: no Gambia licence exists for it, and sites offering it operate without one. Online poker is not regulated: no Gambia licence exists for it, and sites offering it operate without one. The lottery is legal on sites licensed in Gambia.

Using a VPN to reach gambling sites from Gambia: Legal.

Gambling with crypto: Not regulated.

You must be 18 to gamble online in Gambia, for online casino, sports betting and lottery alike.

A 50% withholding tax applies to all gambling and lottery winnings (payout minus stake), effective January 1, 2026. Operators are required to collect and remit this tax to the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) monthly.

There are approximately 2 licensed operators in Gambia as of 18 Jun 2026.

Always verify a casino holds a valid Gambia Revenue Authority licence before depositing.

Gambia Revenue Authority's website

Prominent operators in Gambia

If a site isn't on the regulator's licensee register, ask the regulator before you play: an unlisted site is usually not licensed here (a register can lag behind a new licence). An unlicensed site is outside the regulator's supervision, so you cannot complain to the regulator about it.

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  Understand the 50% winnings tax

  Be aware that all payouts will have a 50% tax on net winnings (payout minus stake) deducted by the operator before you receive your funds. This is a legal requirement in Gambia.

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  Recognize there is no local online regulation

  The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) does not license or oversee online gambling sites. This means there is no local body for player protection, dispute resolution, or ensuring game fairness for online play.

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  Choose offshore sites with strong reputations

  Since you must play at offshore sites, select those licensed by reputable jurisdictions like Malta (MGA) or the UK (UKGC). These regulators provide a higher level of player protection, even if not enforceable in Gambia.

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  Confirm land-based venues are licensed

  When visiting a physical casino or betting shop, you should be able to confirm it is licensed by the Gambia Revenue Authority. While no public online register exists, licensed venues are required to operate transparently.

What you can expect from a licensed site's offers in Gambia. The rules operators must follow are on the operator page.

We have no record of a national self-exclusion scheme or problem-gambling helpline in Gambia. The law does not require licensed sites to offer deposit limits. Reality checks (reminders of how long you have played) are not required.

1. 1

   1. Contact the operator directly

   Your first step should always be to try and resolve the issue with the operator's customer support. For land-based venues, speak to the management. For online sites, use their official support channels.

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   2. Escalate to the licensing authority (offshore sites only)

   If you are playing on an offshore site, you can file a complaint with their regulator (e.g., MGA, CGB). However, be aware that the Gambian government provides no legal assistance or enforcement for these disputes, as the market is unregulated locally.

• Myth

  My gambling winnings are tax-free in Gambia.
  Reality

  This is false. As of January 1, 2026, all winnings from gambling and lotteries are subject to a 50% tax. The operator is legally required to withhold this amount from your payout (total return minus your stake) and pay it to the government.

• Myth

  Online betting is illegal and I can be prosecuted for playing.
  Reality

  Online gambling is unregulated, not illegal. The law does not explicitly prohibit players from accessing offshore gambling sites. While there are no locally licensed online casinos or sportsbooks, players are not targeted by law enforcement for using international platforms.

• Myth

  Using cryptocurrency for gambling is banned.
  Reality

  The use of cryptocurrency in Gambia is unregulated, not explicitly banned. The government has a cautious stance, but there is no law preventing you from using crypto like Bitcoin to deposit and withdraw at offshore gambling sites that accept it.