The action, which began on November 3, involved bettors refusing to play all games nationwide. Bettor associations<\/strong> described the tax as both a \u201cspoliation\u201d (exploitation<\/strong>) and an \u201carnaque\u201d (scam<\/strong>) according to a Seneweb report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 20 per cent tax, introduced by the National Lottery of Senegal (LONASE) under Law No. 17\/2025<\/strong>, took effect on November 1 for physical outlets and rolled out to digital platforms on November 15. The levy is automatically deducted<\/strong> at payout, meaning a win of CFA 100,000 (\u20ac152) now yields CFA 80,000 (\u20ac122) to the player, with the remainder remitted to the Treasury<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In an official LONASE notice, authorities describe the measure as a \u201ccivic contribution\u201d to national development<\/strong> and a step toward formalising and modernising<\/strong> the gambling sector, although bettors continue to voice strong concerns<\/strong> over reduced net winnings<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Seneweb, bettors who have long criticised low payouts said the tax \u201chas all the marks of exploitation<\/strong> and cannot gain their support\u201d. The report also stated that associations took to social media to announce their strike. \u201cThey announced the boycott<\/strong> of all games, now of no interest to them, rejecting any negotiations on what they consider a scam<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regional media coverage indicates the strike had wide reach<\/strong>. Reports from La Nouvelle Tribune and Sud Quotidien, stated that bettors\u2019 associations in the cities<\/strong> of Dakar, Thi\u00e8s, Rufisque, Ziguinchor and Matam participated. Several retail outlets reported noticeably reduced activity<\/strong> during the boycott, and some were “quiet” as the strike took hold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Associations have also warned that they may turn to foreign online platforms<\/strong> via mobile money<\/strong> to bypass<\/strong> the tax. Bettor associations and commentators warn that a move to offshore or unregulated platforms, facilitated by mobile-money payments, could undercut licensed operators and weaken traceability and regulatory oversight<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The tax forms part of the broader Economic and Social Recovery Plan<\/strong> (PRES) and is seen by authorities as a measure to improve transparency<\/strong>, traceability and revenue collection in the gambling sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet the strike highlights the sensitivity of regulated betting markets to taxation and the potential for strong backlash if measures are perceived as unfair<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\nStrike disrupts betting across key regions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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