Cabo Verde gaming tax growth to trail overall tax rise in 2027
Half of the projected CVE52m will go to the State Budget, with the remainder allocated to tourism, sport, culture, municipalities and education.
Key takeaways:
- Cabo Verde forecasts a 3.2 per cent rise in Special Gaming Tax revenue to CVE52m (US$530,000) in 2027, up from CVE51m (US$520,000) in 2026.
- Revenue from Other Taxes is projected to reach CVE1.067bn (US$10.87m), a 4.9 per cent increase on the 2026 estimate.
- CVE26m (US$265,000) of Special Gaming Tax revenue will go to the State Budget, while CVE8m (US$81,500) will be allocated to the Tourism Development Fund.
- Social-games revenue is forecast at CVE117m (US$1.19m), with the portfolio including Lotaria Nacional, Totoloto and Joker.
- Cabo Verde expects real GDP growth of 5.6 per cent in 2027, with services, particularly tourism, expected to remain the main driver of economic activity.
Cabo Verde.- Cabo Verde forecasts Special Gaming Tax revenue of CVE52m (US$530,000) in 2027, with the budget reporting growth of 3.2 per cent—below the projected 7.9 per cent increase in overall tax receipts. The forecast comes as tourism is expected to remain a principal driver of the economy, with gaming tax proceeds allocated across the State Budget and several public funds. Separate figures for Red Cross social games cover revenue and net results and should not be treated as part of the gaming tax forecast.
The government expects the services sector, particularly tourism, to remain the main driver of economic activity in 2027. The budget states that “the Cabo Verdean economy should nevertheless record real GDP growth of 5.6 per cent in 2027,” according to the Informative Annex to the 2027 State Budget.
Other Taxes are expected to bring in CVE1.067bn (US$10.87m) in 2027, an increase of 4.9 per cent from the 2026 estimate. Stamp duty is forecast to rise by 5 per cent, while Special Gaming Tax revenue is expected to increase by 3.2 per cent.
Of the CVE52m (US$530,000) in Special Gaming Tax revenue, CVE26m (US$265,000) is allocated to the State Budget and CVE8m (US$81,500) to the Tourism Development Fund. The Sports Development Fund, Autonomous Culture Support Fund and municipalities will each receive CVE5m (US$51,000), while CVE3m (US$30,600) is allocated to the Education and Training Support Fund, according to the budget document.
Separately, the budget records CVE117m (US$1.19m) in revenue from social games operated by the Cabo Verde Red Cross, more than twice the forecast Special Gaming Tax revenue. The social-games portfolio includes Lotaria Nacional, Totoloto and Joker, with proceeds supporting social and public-interest programmes. The figure comprises CVE112m (US$1.14m) in current-year revenue and CVE5m (US$51,000) carried over from the previous year.
The social-games revenue is earmarked for areas including social inclusion, healthcare, sports infrastructure, education, culture and support for solidarity institutions.
The budget also forecasts a CVE32m (US$326,000) decline in the net result from social-games operations by the Cabo Verde Red Cross concessionaire. This is a net-result measure and is separate from the CVE117m (US$1.19m) in social-games revenue recorded elsewhere in the budget.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- How much gaming tax revenue does Cabo Verde expect in 2027? The government forecasts CVE52m (approximately US$530,000) in Special Gaming Tax revenue. The budget reports a 3.2 per cent increase from the 2026 estimate.
- How will Cabo Verde’s gaming tax revenue be distributed? The allocations are CVE26m to the State Budget, CVE8m to tourism, CVE5m each to sport, culture and municipalities, and CVE3m to education and training.
- Which social games does the Cabo Verde Red Cross operate? Its portfolio includes Lotaria Nacional, Totoloto and Joker. Proceeds support social and public-interest programmes, including healthcare, education, sports infrastructure and solidarity institutions.
- Does the forecast CVE32m decline mean social-games revenue will fall by that amount? No. The CVE32m decline concerns the concessionaire’s net result, not the separately recorded CVE117m in social-games revenue, which includes a prior-year carryover.
