Gambling Age In Cape Verde

Minimum Age: 18

Details and Explanation

Legal Age Requirement: In Cape Verde, the minimum legal age for gambling is 18, as per the Gaming Law 2016, enforced to protect minors while promoting tourism. The age aligns with the country’s liberal economic policies.

Offline / Land-Based Gambling: Land-based gambling is legal, with casinos on Sal and Santiago Islands offering around 150 slots and table games, aligning with your interest in game catalogs, though smaller than preferred catalogs. Lotteries are state-run, requiring ID checks for the 18-year-old age limit. The market, valued at CVE 1 billion annually, is driven by European tourists. Cultural acceptance is high, tied to Cape Verde’s tourism-driven economy.

Online Gambling: Online gambling is unregulated, with no local licensing framework. Offshore sites, accessed via mobile browsers, contribute to a $5 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 due to limited infrastructure.

Regulation and Oversight: The Ministry of Finance oversees gambling, with no dedicated online regulator. Cape Verde’s framework, less rigorous than Kahnawake’s, supports a $10 million gambling economy, with tourism accounting for 80% of revenue. No major 2024 updates occurred, but 2025 may see online licensing discussions.

Enforcement and Penalties: Cape Verde enforces regulations lightly due to resource constraints. Operators face fines up to CVE 5 million for violations like underage gambling, while players face fines up to CVE 100,000. Online enforcement is negligible, with the market projected to grow 5% in 2025, driven by tourism and mobile access.