Online gambling, including online bingo, exists in an unregulated legal grey area in Guinea-Bissau (1). The country does not have a comprehensive legal framework specifically governing online gambling activities. While Guinea-Bissau permits some forms of land-based sports betting and gambling, online gaming platforms operate without formal licensing or government oversight (1). The lack of dedicated legislation means that online bingo and other internet-based gaming are technically neither explicitly prohibited nor officially regulated by authorities.
The regulatory landscape in Guinea-Bissau is heavily influenced by the country's predominantly Muslim population and Islamic cultural values, which have historically discouraged gambling activities (1). Unlike some neighboring West African nations that have established formal gambling commissions and regulatory frameworks, Guinea-Bissau has not developed comprehensive online gambling legislation or enforcement mechanisms. While the government does not actively block access to foreign online gambling websites, no licensing framework exists for operators to legally offer services in the country (2).
"Gambling is not forbidden by law but largely unregulated. While the country offers land-based sports betting games, online betting remains underdeveloped, with limited regulations and no active enforcement."
Players who access online bingo platforms in Guinea-Bissau do so through unregulated offshore operators, as the country has not established player protection frameworks or dispute resolution mechanisms (2). The absence of licensing and regulatory oversight means that players lack legal recourse in cases of fraud or fraudulent activities by online platforms. The government's passive approach to online gambling, combined with low internet penetration rates in the country, has resulted in minimal development of the online gaming sector. The future regulation of online bingo in Guinea-Bissau remains uncertain, dependent on broader regional gambling industry trends and the country's evolving economic priorities.
Source:
https://www.igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulation-in-guinea-bissau/
https://focusgn.com/africa/legal-gambling-in-africa-a-country-by-country-analysis
Last updated: 31-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
