Casino Regulations In Rwanda: What Are They?

What are the casino and gambling laws and regulations like in Rwanda? Read here to find out.

In days gone by, gamblers may not have had to pay much attention to the laws and regulations in other countries, unless they were physically travelling there with the intention of gambling. However, in today’s interconnected, digitally driven world, we are constantly using services and products that are designed, based in, and sold from other countries. Be it ecommerce, streaming services, or gambling, consumers can now access services from all corners of the world at the click of a button.

The gambling industry is one of the most tightly regulated and strictly controlled in the world. While some countries may be laxer than others, almost all have a level of regulation over the gambling sector unlike any other industry. These laws and regulations are regularly reviewed and updated, which can have far-reaching implications for both the gambling companies and the players. Multiple nations across the planet are reviewing their stance on gambling and updating their particular rules and laws. Let’s take a look at casino regulations in Rwanda and examine the gambling industry in the country.

Is Gambling Legal In Rwanda?

In 2011, the government in Rwanda passed Law No.58, which paved the way for regulators to construct a framework that would allow a gambling market in the country. This framework acted as a basis for granting gambling licenses, overseeing operations, and ensuring all regulations and laws were adhered to. Two years later in 2013, the Rwanda Gambling Board was established, designed to further supervise gambling operations in the country and work hand-in-hand with the government to collect tax on revenues taken from operators.

Currently, most kinds of gambling are legal in Rwanda, but the most popular form is sports betting, as it is throughout much of the rest of Africa.

What About Casinos?

Casino gambling is also legal in Rwanda, although it still accounts for a relatively small portion of the nation’s gambling infrastructure. There are a select number of casino locations in the country, including Casino Kigali and New Oriental Casino, both in Kigali, as well as the Lydia Ludic Rwanda.

Under Rwandan gambling legislation, casino operators are also permitted to operate online casino and gambling services. This is a growing industry in the country, which has just recently expanded its 4G network and is working to get more citizens online. Online gambling is booming worldwide and is the most rapidly expanding sector in the industry. Industry experts are tipping it to continue its meteoric rise and players are always eager to learn more about new online casino licences.

Players in Rwanda are able to place wagers on both domestic and foreign online gambling platforms, making it incredibly accessible for players of all skill and experience levels.

How Do Rwanda’s Laws Compare To Other African Countries?

Africa is an enormous continent made up of 54 separate countries. Each has its own unique laws and regulations regarding casinos and gambling, so it’s worth knowing how each of them compare.

Kenya is one of the biggest gambling nations in Africa, with estimates placing it at third on the list of African nations that generate the most gambling revenue. All forms of gambling are legal in Kenya, but sports betting is by far the most popular. Football, in particular, enjoys a lot of gambling action, with 83% of all bets in the country placed on football games.

In Somalia, on the other hand, gambling is strictly prohibited. Somalia is a deeply religious country with a large Muslim population. As such, all forms of gambling are banned and those found to be in breach of these laws can face serious penalties, including corporal punishment like public floggings. These laws and punishments would appear to be an effective deterrent, with statistics indicating that Somalia has an online gambling penetration of less than 1.5%.

Egypt is also a religious country but has slightly less strict gambling regulations than Somalia. Egypt has a national lottery which is played by millions every week, while Cairo even has a number of gambling. However, these venues are only open to tourists, Egyptian residents are not allowed inside.

Conclusion

The gambling industry is growing exponentially worldwide. Gambling is being legalized and regulated in new jurisdictions all the time, as countries review old laws and bring their gambling industry into the 21st century. Many African countries are behind Western nations in terms of the development of their entertainment infrastructure and frameworks. However, we’re seeing more and more African nations become aware of the opportunities a regulated gambling market can provide and take steps to legalise the practice in their country.