Gambling Laws in São Tomé and Príncipe

Various forms of land-based gambling in São Tomé and Príncipe are legal. The Law No. 1/2004, on force since 7 of April 2005 as well as the Decree No 4 from 2005 (Lei no. 1/2004, de 7 de Abril de 2005, DR no. 4 -Lei que define o quadro jurídico-legal regulador dos jogos de fortuna ou azar em São Tomé e Príncipe.), serve as a legal framework for the regulation of all games of chance in São Tomé e Príncipe. As there are currently no specific online gambling laws in São Tomé and Príncipe, it is generally considered that online gambling in São Tomé and Príncipe is not regulated. The body responsible for the regulation of the land-based gambling market in the country is an office within the Ministry of Finance. According to São Tomé and Príncipe gambling laws, minors, under 18 years of age are prohibited to participate in any gambling activities.

Is Online Gambling Legal in São Tomé and Príncipe? All forms of online gambling are not regulated in São Tomé and Príncipe.

Online Casinos in São Tomé and Príncipe

Casinos and gaming establishments in São Tomé and Príncipe are made legal by the provisions of the Law No. 1/2004, on force since 7 of April 2005, as well as the Decree No 4 from 2005. Currently there is only one operating casino in the country the Casino Sao Tome & Hotel. Beside this land-based casino, there are still no online casinos in São Tomé and Príncipe. Online gambling in the country is in general not regulated, so no São Tomé and Príncipe online casino licenses have been on the offer. Foreign internet casino sites are not blocked from accessing the gambling market of São Tomé and Príncipe.

Online Poker in São Tomé and Príncipe

Online poker sites in São Tomé and Príncipe are not regulated, as of May 2019. As there are no specific São Tomé and Príncipe online poker laws, no São Tomé and Príncipe online poker licenses are on the offer. Foreign online poker sites, are not blocked from accessing the market in São Tomé and Príncipe.

Online lottery in São Tomé and Príncipe

Lotteries in São Tomé and Príncipe do not have any tradition, neither as gambling games nor in charity purposes. As of May 2019, there are no online lotteries in São Tomé and Príncipe. Although there are no separate São Tomé and Príncipe online lottery laws, the general laws  on gambling in the country do not allow currently for the licensing of any online lotto providers.

Online bingo in São Tomé and Príncipe

Similar as in cases with the other gambling sites, there are also no online bingo sites in São Tomé and Príncipe. Since there are no specific São Tomé and Príncipe online bingo laws, there were no any offers for licenses regarding online bingo by the respective authorities, as of May 2019. Foreign online bingo sites are not blocked from accessing the São Tomé and Príncipe market.

Online sports betting in São Tomé and Príncipe

Betting in São Tomé and Príncipe is only a land-based option, as of May 2019. Licensed online sportsbook sites in São Tomé and Príncipe are still not operating the betting market of this country. As there are no specific laws on online betting in São Tomé and Príncipe, no licenses for online betting providers have been granted so far.  There are, however, plenty of foreign internet sportsbook sites which target São Tomé and Príncipe players most of them coming from other African countries.

Online daily fantasy sports in São Tomé and Príncipe

Online DFS sites in São Tomé and Príncipe do not have a legally regulated status. Considering the non-regulated status of online sports betting in the country, it is very probable that internet Daily Fantasy Sports would not receive soon a legal status in São Tomé and Príncipe.