Is online gambling legal in São Tomé and Príncipe?

If an offshore operator does not resolve a problem, you can complain to its own licensing body. There is no national self-exclusion scheme, so tools offered by operators are your only safety net.

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

Using a VPN to reach gambling sites from São Tomé and Príncipe: Legal.

Gambling with crypto: Not regulated.

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

Winnings from offshore online gambling are not taxed at the player level. For domestic lottery and land-based games, a tax is likely applied based on the Portuguese model (e.g., a stamp duty), but specific rates and thresholds are not publicly defined.

There are approximately 2 licensed operators in São Tomé and Príncipe as of 18 Jun 2026.

Always verify a casino holds a valid Minister of Tourism (for land-based casinos); an entity named CJAO claims online jurisdiction but is not officially recognized. licence before depositing.

Minister of Tourism (for land-based casinos); an entity named CJAO claims online jurisdiction but is not officially recognized.'s website

Prominent operators in São Tomé and Príncipe

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.

• ✓
  Verify any 'local' license claim

  No official online licenses are issued by São Tomé and Príncipe. Any operator claiming to hold a local license is likely referencing the unrecognised CJAO and should be treated with extreme caution.

• ✓
  Check for a reputable foreign license

  Since there is no local regulation, only play on sites licensed by established international jurisdictions like Malta (MGA) or the UK (UKGC). Avoid unlicensed or poorly regulated operators.

• ✓
  Use secure payment methods

  Rely on internationally recognized payment methods like Visa, Mastercard, or major e-wallets. Be wary of sites that only accept cryptocurrency or direct bank transfers with no buyer protection.

• ✓
  Confirm responsible gambling tools are available

  Reputable operators offer tools like deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion. As there is no national scheme, these operator-provided tools are the only safety net available.

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

1. 1

   1. Contact the operator directly

   As there is no national online gambling regulator, players must first attempt to resolve any disputes directly with the customer support of the offshore operator they are using.

2. 2

   2. Escalate to the operator's licensing authority

   If the operator is unresponsive, the next step is to file a complaint with their licensing body (e.g., MGA, Curaçao Gaming Control Board). This is the only available path for formal dispute resolution.

• Myth

  All gambling is illegal in São Tomé and Príncipe.
  Reality

  This is false. Land-based casinos were legalized in 2004, and at least one operates legally. The national lottery is also legal. Only the online sector is unregulated, not explicitly illegal.

• Myth

  You will be prosecuted for playing on foreign betting sites.
  Reality

  There is no evidence of this. The government does not block access to international gambling websites, and there are no reports of players facing legal action for using them. The online market is considered a 'grey market'.

• Myth

  Using a VPN for gambling is illegal.
  Reality

  VPN use is legal and unrestricted in São Tomé and Príncipe. Players can use VPNs to access websites without legal repercussions.

• Myth

  Gambling winnings are not taxed.
  Reality

  This is only true for winnings from offshore online sites. Winnings from the domestic lottery or land-based casinos are likely subject to a tax, similar to the Portuguese stamp duty system, although specific rates are not published.