The Gambia imposes 50% tax on gambling winnings
Upon implementation of the budget, The Gambia will have the highest tax rate on gambling winnings in Africa.
The Gambia.- The Gambian government will increase the tax on gambling winnings from 40 per cent to 50 per cent starting January 1, 2026, after the National Assembly approved the 2026 budget on Tuesday.
Finance Minister Seedy Keita announced the change while presenting the financial plan to lawmakers. The new rate covers all winnings from sports betting, casino games, slot machines, lotteries and any other licensed gambling activity.
During the presentation, Minister Keita stated: “The tax rate on the winnings from betting, gaming, lottery and gambling will be increased from 40 per cent to 50 per cent of the winnings to reinforce the fight against the menace posed by gambling and betting in society.”
For a player who wins D10,000 (€117), the tax will rise from D4,000 (€47) to D5,000 (€59).
The Ministry of Finance will launch a digital revenue assurance platform in 2026 to track payouts in real-time and limit evasion. Gambling contributed roughly D1.2bn (€14m) to state coffers in 2024, and the higher tax rate aims to increase revenue towards the D32bn (€37m) target for next year while promoting responsible gambling.
Upon implementation of the budget, The Gambia will have the highest tax rate on gambling winnings in Africa. So far, the move has drawn little public discussion and no formal statements from local operators, but analysts predict that this may drive some operators out of the market and push casual players toward unregulated options, as seen in neighbouring countries after similar hikes.
