Online bingo operates in a legally ambiguous environment in Mali, where the country's official prohibition on gambling lacks comprehensive enforcement mechanisms and regulatory oversight (1). Mali has no dedicated national authority overseeing online gambling, leaving the sector in a grey zone between official illegality and practical tolerance (2). The Ministry of Economy and Finances technically supervises gambling regulations, but has not established licensing frameworks or regulatory structures specifically addressing online bingo platforms serving Malian players.
Players accessing online bingo in Mali do not face active legal prosecution despite the technical prohibition on gambling activities (1). The government does not enforce laws against individual players accessing international online bingo sites, and there are no prosecutions recorded for online gambling participation despite widespread engagement with offshore platforms (2). However, the lack of legal recourse means players operate without consumer protections, with disputes and fraud claims having no regulatory pathways for resolution or compensation.
"The gambling sector cannot be left behind in this digital transformation. Creating ARJHM would help Mali anticipate and manage online developments while protecting both players and the state, ensuring operational transparency and safeguarding fair distribution of winnings."
Mali's government has recognized the need for regulatory modernization through a proposal to establish the Autorité de Régulation des Jeux de Hasard du Mali (ARJHM), a dedicated gambling regulatory authority (2). Until such reforms are implemented, online bingo remains officially prohibited while simultaneously accessible to Malian players through unregulated international platforms (1). The current regulatory vacuum allows foreign operators to serve the Malian market without licensing requirements, leaving players vulnerable to fraud while denying the state tax revenue from the growing online gaming sector.
Source:
https://www.igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulation-in-mali/
https://gamblingtalk.net/news/malian-official-calls-for-national-gambling-regulator-to-ensure-sovereignty-and-transparency
Last updated: 01-11-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
