On the north of Algeria lies the Mediterranean Sea, to the east are Libya and Tunisia, to the south are Niger and Mali, while to the south-west is Morocco. Algeria is an Islamic country that has prohibited gambling; however, Algerian betting sites are increasing in popularity. Thus, this article will focus on the legal framework and potential trends in this regard. This blog post is going to give an introduction to the history of Algerian gambling laws, the authorities that govern the industry and popular betting sites in Algeria.
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Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
Betting Sites in Algeria: Legal Framework
Algeria has always had a very divided opinion on gambling. Traditionally, the country has always been very strict on it because of religion. Here’s a look at the key moments in Algeria’s gambling legislation:
Algeria gains independence from France in 1962, thus creating its own legal system, which, like all other countries, has anti-gambling laws.
- 1984 – Family Code is enacted which strengthen the provision banning gambling activities.
- 2010 – Internet censorship is introduced in order to block the access to the gambling websites.
- 2018 – A new law is passed and comes into force ; the consumption of online gambling is now prohibited for Algerians.
However, there are certain exemptions that include the state-owned lottery as well as the sports betting company known as Pari Sportif Algérien (PSA).
Key Regulatory Agencies
The regulation of gambling activities in Algeria falls under the purview of several governmental bodies:
- 1. The Ministry of Youth and Sports – Controls all the gambling activities within the country and hence monitoring the PSA.
- 2. The following are the agencies that regulate lottery games in Ghana; The National Lottery Authority – This body is responsible for the management and regulation of state lottery games.
- 3. The Cybercrime Division – handles the cases regarding gambling and online betting, as well as the regulation of internet censorship.
These agencies work towards regulation of gambling so that the activities are not against the law and also to safeguard the citizens from the negative impacts of gambling.
Prohibited and Permitted Bets
Algeria has a rather strict approach to gambling and most types of it are banned in the country. Here’s a breakdown of what’s allowed and what’s not:
Permitted Bets
The PSA runs two principal lottery games, namely; Lotto Erriadhi and Lotto Mohtaref.
- Sports Betting – It is only performed by the PSA and the betting is done on particular sports competitions.
Prohibited Bets
- Gambling – Any type of betting that you would find in a casino whether it is cards or a slot machine.
- Private Betting Operations: Any and all unauthorized and/or clandestine betting is prohibited.
- Online Gambling – banned since 2018 with some intermittent blacking out of the sites.
Licenses and Fees of Betting Sites in Algeria
Acquiring a gambling license in Algeria is a privilege since there are no private companies allowed to function. The only right given is the right to the PSA by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The process of the licensing of the PSA is very much regulated to reflect the laws of the country.
Taxation on Gambling Winnings
Winnings made from gambling in Algeria are subject to a 40% tax which is automatically taken by the PSA. This tax applies to all lottery and sports betting winnings, thus the state will be able to get its share from the revenues that these activities produce.
Betting Sites that Algerians can Access
Although the local alternatives are scarce, the population of Algeria can still use foreign betting sites. Here are some of the top options:
Betandyou
Betandyou – Simple and intuitive design combined with an impressive range of sports that can be bet on, Betandyou is a great choice for any user.
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Melbet
Melbet – A rich choice of sports and events with high coefficients, giving the customers a large number of options for placing bets and getting a large amount of money.
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1xBet
1Xbet – This is another bookmaker’s website that offers a host of bonuses to the users, coupled with a very easy to use interface.
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These sites welcome players from Algeria and offer a good number of betting options ranging from football to basketball.
Milestones in Algerian Sports
Algeria has a great number of successes in the sphere of sports. Here are some notable moments:
- 1989 – Algerian Rabah Madjer wins the UEFA African Player of the year award.
- 1990 – Algeria lifts the African Cup of Nations title in the year 1990.
- 2012 – Algeria’s Taoufik Makhloufi out of the London Olympics as he wins the Gold in the 1500m race.
- 2019 – Africa’s most famous football competition the African Cup of Nations is won by Algeria for the second time.
- 2022 – Riyad Mahrez carries on being one of the stars of the English Premier League.
Algerian Sports Stars
Sports have not been left behind in Algeria and Algerian athletes have greatly contributed to the world of sports. Here are a few notable figures:
- Rabah Madjer – Famous footballer who was in the team of FC Porto and also played for the Algerian national squad.
- The element of Taoufik Makhloufi – the Olympic gold medalist in track and field.
- Mahrez – A star winger of Manchester City and the Algerian national team.
Gambling in Neighboring Countries
Information on the legal framework of gambling in adjacent countries may also be useful. Here’s a brief overview:
Morocco
- More precisely, there are legal gambling services with several casinos that are mostly located in tourist areas, such as Marrakech and Casablanca.
- Tough laws regarding online gambling to prevent people from getting involved in it and making sure that the activities going on are under the control of the government.
Tunisia
- Gambling is allowed in some hotels and resorts that are mainly targeted for the tourists, hence the choices are limited.
- Online gambling is prohibited and is a criminal offense; attempts to block access to unlicensed sites are made.
Libya
- Thus, gambling is totally banned as the country is an Islamic republic and Islamic code does not allow people to gamble.
- Gambling has no legal basis and the authorities are very strict in order to eliminate any possibility of gambling.
Conclusion
The subject of gambling in Algeria is rather diverse due to the interconnection of legal, social, and religious factors. Nevertheless, there is a possibility of placing sports bets through the PSA and other international websites. Thus, it is crucial to find out the legal aspects of betting for Algerians who are interested in such activities.
FQA about Betting Sites in Algeria
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