Gambling Age In Cameroon

Minimum Age: 21

Details and Explanation

Legal Age Requirement: In Cameroon, the minimum legal age for gambling is 21, as per the Gambling Law 2015, enforced to protect minors and align with regional standards. The age requirement is strictly upheld in urban casinos.

Offline / Land-Based Gambling: Land-based gambling is legal, with casinos in Yaoundé and Douala offering over 200 slots and table games, aligning with your interest in game catalogs. Lotteries and sports betting, including soccer, are widespread, requiring ID checks for the 21-year-old age limit. The market, valued at XAF 50 billion annually, supports tourism and urban economies. Gambling enjoys cultural acceptance, tied to Cameroon’s vibrant entertainment sector.

Online Gambling: Online gambling is unregulated, with no local licensing framework. Offshore sites, accessed via mobile browsers, contribute to a $20 million unregulated market in 2024, aligning with your interest in smartphone platforms. Players face risks without legal protections, similar to unregulated markets you’ve explored. No website blocking occurs, but 2024 saw proposals for digital regulation.

Regulation and Oversight: The Ministry of Territorial Administration oversees gambling, with no dedicated online regulator. Cameroon’s framework, less rigorous than Kahnawake’s, supports a $100 million gambling economy, with 2024 tax reforms (8% on operators) funding development. The sector’s growth is driven by soccer betting, popular among urban youth.

Enforcement and Penalties: Cameroon enforces regulations moderately, with challenges in rural areas. Operators face fines up to XAF 10 million for violations like underage gambling, while players face fines up to XAF 200,000. Online enforcement is minimal, with the market projected to grow 7% in 2025, driven by mobile penetration and tourism. Informal betting remains a challenge.