Online Gambling In Cameroon

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Online gambling in Cameroon orOnline betting can be defined as a game or betting in whichparticipation is done exclusively through an online publiccommunication service.

Any bet or game engaged in through terminals used exclusively ormainly for providing gaming or betting services, and open togamblers in private premises open to the public shall notconstitute online gambling in Cameroon.

In essence, for gambling to be considered as online gambling inCameroon, it must be EXCLUSIVELY done ONLINE and not through anyterminal or private premises.

LEGAL INSTRUMENTS REGULATING ONLINE GAMBLING INCAMEROON

• Law n°2015/012 of July16,2015 laying down regulations governingentertainment games, money gamesand games of chances;
• Decree n°2019/2300/PM of July 18,2019specifying the terms of application of law n°2015/012 of July16, 2015 laying down regulations governingentertainment games, money games and games of chances;
• CEMAC Regulation N°01/03-CEMAC-UMAC relating to theprevention and suppression of money laundering and financing ofterrorism in Central Africa.

KEY POINTS TO NOTE:

I. According to Law n°2015/012 , theactivity of entertainmentgames,moneygames andgame of chances shall be subjectto one of the following regimes:

1. Concession regime which regulates the operation ofcasinos, betting and publiclotteries;
2. Authorization regime which regulates the operation ofentertainment games, commercial games and online games;
3. Declaration regime which regulates the organization ofoccasional or private lotteries.

Therefore, gleaned from the above law, to operate onlinegambling in Cameroon, you must obtain an authorizationregime.

Whosoever operates an online gaming activitywithout authorization shall be punished with imprisonment from six(06) months to two (02) years or a fine from five million(5,000,000fcfa) to twenty-five million (25,000,000fcfa) or bothimprisonment and fine.

II. Following the provisions of decree n°2019/2300/PM ofJuly 18,2019 specifying the terms of application oflaw n°2015/012 of July 16, 2015 laying downregulations governing entertainment games, money games andgames of chances, an applicant must comply, amongstothers, with the following conditions in order to secure an onlinegambling authorization:

1. Must have a representation in Cameroon;
2. Must provide a bank caution of 200,000,000fcfa (approximately$310,000);
3. Must have its gaming regulations certified by a bailiff;
4. Must have a website whose domain name ends with".cm'';
5. Must ensure all payments area done exclusively online via apayment service provider;
6. Must have data protection rules applicable to users visitingits website;
7. Must have a civile liability insurance coverage.

The authorization shall be issued by the Ministry of TerritorialAdministration for a period of five (05) years renewable uponrequest. It shall not be transferable to any third party.

Whosoever uses an authorization to operate an onlinegame belonging to another shall be punished withimprisonment from six (06) months to two (02) years or a fine fromfive million (5,000,000cfa) to twenty-five million (25,000,000cfa)or both imprisonment and fine.

III. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMPLIANCE FOR ONLINEGAMBLING COMPANIES

As prescribed by the CEMAC Regulation N01/03 CEMAC -UMAC relating to the Preventionand Suppression of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism inCentral Africa, online gambling establishments areenjoined to submit, before commencing operations, an activitystatement to the National Agency for Financial Investigationindicating the proof of origin of funds.

Moreso, they are required to record and keep for at least fiveyears all transactions done by its users and report suspicioustransactions that can be linked to a crime or offense or consideredas money laundering.