History of Gambling in Cameroon
From 1884 to 1916, Cameroon was colonized by Germany. Before this time, gambling was a form of entertainment, but there was no set framework in terms of laws.
During World War I, Cameroon came under the rule of France, and the French introduced more aspects of gambling. After finally gaining independence, the nation of Cameroon legalized gambling in 1960. Since France once colonized the nation, the types of gambling it allows resemble the French.
Cameroon Gambling Law
Gambling became legalized in 1960 in Cameroon, but the first gambling law was passed in 1989. The law was developed for land-based and legalized casinos, horse racing, and other miscellaneous forms of gambling.
These laws were amended, and in 2019, Decree No.2019/2300/PM was passed after the amendment of the 2016 law. This became the definitive law for all forms of gambling allowed in the country, including online gambling.
The Agency for Games of Chance (Agençe de Régulation des Jeux) regulates all sorts of gambling activities in Cameroon. And it is also responsible for issuing licenses to operators.
Online gambling sites in Cameroon are required to have a license to accept players from the jurisdiction. However, the law says that sports betting is legal in Cameroon, and punters can visit betting sites from the jurisdiction. The state has a separate license provider for lottery games named Loterie Nationale Cameroun.
Land-Based Casinos in Cameroon
Both casinos and slot halls are legal in Cameroon and require a license. Despite this, the number of casinos in the nation is nothing to boast about. Cameroon is a poverty-stricken country, so gambling is for the more fortunate who can afford it.
Reportedly, there are seven casinos and five slot halls. All are licensed and regulated by the Gambling Decree of 2019.
The Future of Gambling in Cameroon
Even though Cameroon is a developing country, gambling and online casinos have risen recently. Online casinos have been established in the jurisdiction and are legal and regulated by the law. And any activities that are not specifically allowed by the laws or regulated are illegal by default.
One possible snag regarding online casinos in Cameroon is the tax rates. The tax amounts for online gambling earnings are allegedly close to 15% on top of the 33% corporate taxes. The internet penetration rate is also very low at 34%. So, despite the rise of online gambling in the country, it might not be as much of a booming industry in other countries.
While we cannot say how the industry might change, these are the only assumptions we can make. The casino industry and even online casinos can become tourist attractions for the country and boost revenue.
Local Banking Methods
Local banks in Cameroon can also be used as payment methods for online casinos. There might be some transaction fees or conversion fees that you might have to incur in terms of those online payment methods.
Cameroon Casinos by Category
With many casinos in Cameroon to choose from, we have ranked 10 of the best online casinos according to their best features. The full list is below:
Conclusion
Gambling is legal in the jurisdiction, and plenty of casinos can operate within the country. So, we would naturally recommend the ones that are safe to visit and provide a worthwhile experience to gamblers.
FAQs
We've so far discussed all the ins and outs of casinos in Cameroon. If you're still left with a few questions, we hope the following helps answer some of them.