Eritrea is neighbours Sudan to the west, Ethiopia to the south, Djibouti to the southeast and Saudi Arabia and Yemen across the Red Sea. The country went through a 30-year armed struggle before it was recognized as the State of Eritrea in a referendum held between April 23 and 25, 1993. Over the years, sports betting has become increasingly popular among Eritreans. This blog post will attempt to explain everything about sports betting sites in Eritrea including the legal framework of gambling as well as the best sites to bet on sports in the country.
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Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
History of Gambling Laws in Eritrea
This paper will seek to explain the development of Eritrea’s gambling laws, which are rather ambiguous and diverse. Gambling is legal in Eritrea since it is not banned by the Constitution of Eritrea or Penal Code; however, Sharia law plays an important role.
- 1946: The first effort of controlling gambling was during the British colonial regime but it was not effectively enforced.
- 1993: Eritrea gets its independence and up to this point in time, there is no specific law regulating gambling.
- 2002: Sharia courts extend their competence to family and personal matters, which affects the gambling activities concerning the Muslim population.
The following are the gambling regulating bodies in Eritrea.
Eritrea has very weak legal provisions on gambling, and thus it is hard to pinpoint the organizations that are charged with overseeing the industry. Eritrea is one of the few countries that does not have separate bodies to regulate gambling activities. Instead, the following entities play a role:
- Ministry of Finance: Responsible for the overall financial laws, taxes and revenue which in extension may influence gambling activities.
- Local Law Enforcement: Enforces laws concerning behavior in public, which includes gambling offenses; however, such cases are unusual and uneven.
- Sharia Courts: Concerning family and community affairs, the aspect that applies to the Muslim population of Eritrea, which forms about 40% of the population. Thus, gambling is prohibited by Sharia law, which only complicates the legal framework of the industry.
Betting Sites in Eritrea Regulations and Licensing
To the best of my knowledge the current legal situation regarding the types of bets that are prohibited or allowed in Eritrea is not very clear.
Prohibited Bets:
- Gambling commonly referred to as maisir is prohibited for Muslims in accordance to the Sharia laws.
- There are no legal provisions regulating the access of non-Muslims, thus there is lack of clear guidelines.
Permitted Bets:
- Other forms of betting that are not prohibited by the law include casual betting like making bets with friends and scratch of lotto tickets.
- Online betting is technically not prohibited, hence Eritreans are free to place their bets on international betting sites.
Gambling Licenses and Fees
Currently, there are no set procedures for the issuance of licenses to conduct gambling in Eritrea including sports betting. This means:
No Licensing Authority:
- There are no permits that allow for online or physical casinos in Eritrea.
- Locally, it is unlawful for operators to set up gambling businesses in the country.
No License Fees:
- There are no fees or other costs relative to licensing since there is no framework in place.
Best Betting Sites in Eritrea
Nonetheless, there exists no clear-cut legislation on the matter, and numerous Nigerian betting sites are freely used by Eritrean bettors. These platforms offer a range of sports and casino games:
1xBet:
1xBet
It is rather popular for its sports betting as well as a wide range of casino games. Has a simple design and offers great bonuses and other incentives to attract the users.
Up To £100
Betmaster:
Betmaster
A good website with a lot of sports and casino games as well as a simple interface for a user. Includes mobile applications for its customers to use.
Up To £1000 + £10 Free Bets
Mr. play:
Mrplay
Provides a large variety of sports and casino games. Popular for the easy to navigate interface and many choices of betting possibilities.
Up To £100
Major Events in the History of Eritrean Sports
Eritrea has a rich sporting history, marked by several milestone events:
- 1962 African Cup of Nations: Of the 11 players that constituted the Ethiopian national soccer team that clinched the tournament, eight were Eritreans.
- Asmara-Keren Cycling Race: Referred as the extreme cycling event in Eritrea, it has chused many cyclists who have and are still competing internationally.
- Sydney 2000 Olympics: Eritrea as a nation had its Olympic debut and has participated in all the succeeding Summer Olympic Games.
The Sports Star fame in Eritrea
Eritrea is home to several renowned athletes who have achieved international success:
- Natnael Berhane: The first Eritrean to participate in the Tour de France cyclance events; was awarded the ‘African Sportsman of the Year’ in 2013.
- Daniel Teklehaimanot: The first Eritrean to participate the Vuelta a España and wear the polka dot jersey in the Tour de France.
- Biniam Girmay: In 2021, he clinched the silver medal in the under-23 men’s road race category; thereby, making history as the first Eritrean and the first black African to bag a medal at the UCI Road World Championships.
Overview of Gambling Laws in Neighboring Countries
Understanding the gambling laws in Eritrea’s neighboring countries provides additional context:
- Sudan: Gambling is prohibited under the Islamic law and the penalty for the offenders is stiff.
- Ethiopia: Gambling is allowed and several permitted casinos are situated in the country. Sports betting is also legal and is regulated as well.
- Djibouti: Gambling is legal and is a highly monitored activity, casinos as well as sports betting are permitted for the locals and foreigners.
Conclusion
In this regard, it can be claimed that it is challenging to find one’s way around betting sites in Eritrea due to the absence of specific rules and guidelines. However, knowing the history and the regulation as well as the possibilities that exist may assist in this regard. The Eritrea country offers a lot to the betting lovers since it has a great history of sporting events and accomplishments.
FAQ about Betting Sites in Eritrea
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