Gambling in Rwanda: Everything You Need to Know as A Resident or Tourist

Although gambling in Rwanda has been legalized since 2011, there are still a few specificities residents and tourists should get familiar with. This way, they will avoid any potential legal problems. Below, we will present relevant information regarding the gambling laws in the African country and will mention all betting activities people in Rwanda are permitted to lay bets on. As a reader, you will also discover details with respect to the most popular licensed gambling companies in Rwanda.

Legalization of Gambling in Rwanda

Gambling in Rwanda became legal in 2011 with the introduction of Law Number 58. The authority that oversees all gambling activity in the country is the Gambling Board within the Ministry of Trade and Industry, which was formed in 2013. Ever since the establishment of the Board, digital license numbers became legal, as well. At present, there are many operating gambling companies in Rwanda, including:

• Betway
• FortBet
• Gorilla Games
• Premier Bet
• AfricaBet

All companies and operators who wish to obtain a license granted by the Gambling Board should have an immaculate reputation. In other words, those who have already been denied a license will not be able to get one. Plus, if the respective company or person has been involved in any criminal activity, they will again get a rejection.

As for bettors, there are a few things they should take into account, as well. First and foremost, winnings generated from gambling are subject to taxation. Players are obliged to pay a 15% withholding tax. Operators, on the other hand, must pay a 13% tax on the gross gaming revenue. Players under the age of 18 are not permitted to access land-based gambling houses. Minors will also be unable to register on any online casino that holds a license issued by the respective authority in Rwanda.

Legal Forms of Gambling in Rwanda

At present time, the most popular form of gambling in Rwanda is sports betting. This activity is completely legal and everyone who is of legal age is permitted to engage in online or offline sports betting. However, residents of the country are advised to only gamble at licensed facilities and sites. Even though wagering at non-licensed offshore platforms is not forbidden, the risks associated with it are too many.

Premier Bet and AfricaBet are two of the most popular betting facilities in the country. Not only can Rwandan players visit the local betting shops, but they can also register on the respective websites and lay their bets whenever they want. Since 4G was introduced in the country, gamblers now have the opportunity to play at any time of the day or night, no matter what their location is.

A few of the most popular sports listed in virtual sportsbooks include football, volleyball, table tennis, basketball, and tennis. Depending on the site, however, customers may find many other minor disciplines, including beach volleyball, Gaelic hurling, and so on. The number of betting types is usually dependable on the particular sport, league, and event.

Apart from sports betting, people residing in Rwanda can also bet on casino games. Even though there is only one physical gambling facility that features machines, namely Casino Kigali, the websites that offer such services are many. On such platforms, players will find numerous online slots, as well as table games. Betting on bingo is also allowed, and users are usually presented with a few different variations.

Undeniably, however, the majority of active gamblers prefer to try out their luck with the available digital machines. Poker, which is another prominent casino game, is also part of the assortments of several licensed online casinos accessible to Rwandan players. Tourists who visit the country for a particular period of time will also be allowed to gamble.

Illegal Forms of Gambling

Even though Rwanda is a country that is considered gambling-friendly, there are a few restrictions all should be familiar with. The good thing is that there aren’t many limitations for bettors in the country. However, all operators should get a license before being permitted to provide wagering services to their potential customers. One of the most important constraints all bettors should be aware of is the fact that they are not allowed to bet on any so-called blood sports. The list of such disciplines includes but is not limited to:

• Boxing
• MMA
• Academic fencing
• Any forms of combat sports

And secondly, operators without a gambling license issued by the Gambling Board within the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Rwanda, are not allowed to offer any kinds of gambling services to people. As mentioned at the beginning, obtaining a license is not an easy task, and in order to get one, the company must have an immaculate standing.

Apart from these two points, there is nothing illegal when it comes to betting in Rwanda. Of course, people under the age of 18 should not initiate to take part in any gambling activity offline or online. That may lead to serious consequences both for the player and the operator.

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