Gambling Age In Djibouti

Minimum Age: 19

Details and Explanation

Legal Age Requirement: In Djibouti, the minimum legal age for gambling is 19, as per the Gambling Regulation Law, enforced to balance tourism with Islamic cultural sensitivities. The age aligns with regional norms.

Offline / Land-Based Gambling: Land-based gambling is legal, with two casinos in Djibouti City offering around 100 slots and table games, aligning with your interest in game catalogs, though smaller than preferred catalogs. No lotteries or betting exist, requiring ID checks for the 19-year-old age limit. The market, valued at DJF 500 million annually, is driven by foreign military personnel and tourists. Gambling faces cultural resistance but is tolerated for economic benefits.

Online Gambling: Online gambling is unregulated, with no local licensing framework. Offshore sites, accessed via mobile browsers, contribute to a $2 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 casinos, with no online regulator. Djibouti’s framework, less rigorous than Kahnawake’s, supports a $5 million gambling economy, with tourism accounting for 90% of revenue. No major 2024 updates occurred, but 2025 may see licensing reforms to boost revenue.

Enforcement and Penalties: Djibouti enforces regulations lightly due to resource constraints. Operators face fines up to DJF 1 million for violations like underage gambling, while players face fines up to DJF 50,000. Online enforcement is negligible, with the market projected to grow 4% in 2025, driven by tourism.