Gambia’s 50% Gambling Tax: A Necessary Deterrent or a Risky Fiscal Gamble?
The Gambian government’s move to increase the tax on gambling winnings to 50% with effect from January 1, 2026, stands out as one of the toughest anti-gambling policy measures in Africa. The announcement, made by Finance Minister Seedy Keita during the presentation of the 2026 national budget, signals growing unease within government over the social and economic toll of rapidly expanding betting activity. Under the new regime, the higher tax will be imposed on winnings from all regulated forms of gambling, covering sports betting, lotteries, casinos, and gaming machines.
Authorities have repeatedly warned that the rapid spread of betting culture threatens household incomes, productivity, and long-term economic stability, concerns that now appear to be shaping fiscal policy. “The tax rate on the winnings from betting, gaming, lottery, and gambling will be increased from 40 percent to 50 percent of the winnings to reinforce the fight against the menace posed by gambling and betting in the society,” Keita said.
The planned increase represents the second consecutive hike in the tax on gambling winnings within two years. Taxation rates rose to 40% in 2025, before the newly announced jump to 50%. Once in force, Gambia will rank among the countries with the highest taxes on gambling winnings in Africa.
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Technology has become a central pillar of the government’s strategy. Alongside the higher tax rate, authorities plan to deploy a digital revenue assurance platform to monitor betting activity, payouts, and tax remittances in real time. This builds on earlier reforms introduced in October, when the Gambia Revenue Authority launched an electronic tax payment system in partnership with First Bank Gambia, which was designed to modernise tax collection and reduce leakages.
Under the proposed framework, licensed operators will be required to integrate their systems directly with regulators, giving the state far greater visibility into gambling transactions. With gambling generating an estimated D1.2 billion (€14 million) in public revenue in 2024, the government is clearly looking to tighten controls as it targets D32 billion (€37 million) in overall revenue next year.
Yet the policy carries real risks. For players, the steep deduction will dramatically shrink net winnings, potentially discouraging participation or driving activity toward informal or offshore platforms. For operators, particularly smaller firms, a 50 percent tax burden could prove untenable, forcing exits or reduced investment
