Mali is a landlocked country situated in West African region sharing borders with Algeria in the north, Niger in the east, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire in the south, Guinea in the southwest. Mali declared independence on February 22, 1960. The Third Republic was established in 1992. It is necessary to note that sports betting in Mali also has traditions, laws and modern entertainments. This guide will take you through what you need to know about betting sites in Mali including the legal aspects of betting, famous sports to place your bets on and much more.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
History of Gambling Laws in Mali
1960 – 1994
- Analysing the current position of Mali in relation to gambling one can see that it has changed a lot. Gambling was prohibited from 1960 to 1994 due to the after effects of the country’s independence from France. The government’s approach was somewhat precautionary and was intended to prevent the social problems that could arise from gambling.
1994 – 1996
- The case however changed in 1994 when Pari Mutuel du Mali was established. This state owned monopoly was involved in selling of lottery tickets and accepting bets on French horse racing. Between 1994 and 1996, these were the only legal means of betting as influenced by the French laws.
1996 Onwards
- The year 1996 marked the legalization of casino hotels with a view of enhancing the business of tourism. However, this particular endeavour was not very effective as only one casino license was issued. Nevertheless, gambling is still legal in Mali and is regulated by certain laws and/ or regulations.
The Regulation of Gambling in Mali
The Gambling activities in Mali are regulated by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. This authority is involved in the licensing of the operations and enforcement of gambling laws. Here’s what you need to know:
- Licenses: The only entities that are allowed to operate legally are the licensed ones.
- Penalties: Unlicensed gambling is a criminal offence and the offenders may be imprisoned for a period of six months to two years and/ or be fined between twenty thousand to four hundred thousand West African francs.
Prohibited and Permitted Bets
In Mali, there are some forms of betting allowed while there are others that are not allowed. Let’s break it down:
Permitted Bets
- Casino Games: Thus, today poker is allowed in casinos.
- Lottery and Horse Racing Bets: This assessment was carried out by PMU Mali.
- Sports Betting: Legal since 1994, operating under the PMU of Mali.
Prohibited Bets
Any form of gambling that is not specifically allowed is banned, including online gambling that is still unregulated but not prosecuted.
Licenses and Taxes of Betting Sites in Mali
Anyone wishing to conduct gambling business in Mali must acquire a license. The process includes such stages as conformity checks and fees for services. The fee that one has to pay depends on the type of gambling business that one is running.
Gambling Taxes in Mali
Taxes are charged on the gambling sector to raise revenue and regulate the activities in the sector. Here’s a quick look at the tax rates:
- Gambling Tax: Fifteen percent of gross gambling revenue form part of the contributions.
- Horse Racing Betting Tax: To this shall be added the equivalent of 10% of gross gambling revenue.
Apart from the normal corporate taxes, these taxes are imposed.
Betting Sites in Mali & Their Features
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The Chronological Development of Malian Sports
Mali has experienced several milestone events in sports:
- 2002 African Cup of Nations: Increasing popularity of football.
- The victory recorded in the 2013 African Nations Cup.
- Olympic Bronze Medal in 2012: Djibo Issaka won in the men’s 800m race.
These events not only have made Mali to be talked about in the world of sports but have also motivated many young athletes.
Celebrated Malian Sports Stars
Mali is not an exception when it comes to sports talent and has gifted the world with many sports stars. Some notable names include:
- Salif Keita: A football star of AS Saint-Étienne football club.
- Frédéric Kanouté: He is awarded 2007 African footballer of the year.
- Seydou Keita: Succeeded in both domestic championships of Europe and other continental championships.
It is through these athletes that Mali has been placed on the world map in respect to sports.
Neighboring Countries’ Gambling Laws
- Guinea-Bissau: Gambling in Guinea-Bissau is allowed but it is controlled to the extent. Although there are allowed kinds of gambling, the government has rather strict control over the sphere to avoid crime.
- Senegal: Gambling is legal in Senegal and the country has legal casinos and sports betting. The country also has strict rules and regulations that govern the conduct in business to protect the consumer.
- Burkina Faso: The gambling in Burkina Faso is legal and it is possible to meet casinos and sports betting. It is important to note that the government of the country has not left the industry to be laced with frauds and make sure that players are protected.
Conclusion
It is for this reason that it is crucial to uncover the entity of betting sites in Mali and relevant legislations. Therefore, from the history of betting to the current laws, and the best betting sites, we have you covered.
FAQ: Betting Sites in Mali
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