Ghana Gambling Legal
Legal sports betting in Ghana has been regulated since 1960. Sportsbooks allow Ghanaians to bet in-person or online on their favorite sports teams; they also take bets over the phone. The sports you can bet on in Ghana are soccer, American football, ice hockey, boxing, cricket, tennis, golf, and basketball among others. The national currency in Ghana is the Cedi, which isn’t available to most sportsbooks worldwide. However, you can use other currencies such as the Pounds, Euros, or US dollars. A sports betting option that is very popular among Ghanaians is the Jackpot field, where there are multiple games parlayed on one slip and sold at a fixed amount that offers lucrative rewards. Just about every sportsbook in Ghana has this betting option available.
The current legal guidelines for gambling in Ghana were established a decade ago, when the Gaming Act 721 of 2006 was passed through parliament, but laws on the subject have been on the books dating back to the republic’s founding.
Currently, there are over 20 legal sports betting companies operating in Ghana and with the success of the industry in the developing country, it’s safe to assume that many more companies will begin to open sportsbooks in Ghana. The government has little to no legislation regarding online sports betting, so it is important to ensure that you only sign up for accounts and bet with reputable and established companies with a track record of providing a fair service to their clients.
Legality Of Sports Betting In Ghana
The Lotteries Betting Act 1960 was the first legislation passed to allow sports gambling in Ghana. Since then, only two other forms of legislation have been passed since those are the Gambling Machines Act 1973 and the Casino Licensing Act 1975. The most recent legislation to gambling in Ghana was The Gaming Act of 2006; the act made it legal to bet in Ghana and made the Ghana Gaming Commission responsible for regulating sports betting. This allows for domestic and international gambling providers to set up shop in Ghana without much regulation from the government.
Limited government involvement means companies will not be taxed as heavily but leaves the consumers at a greater risk. Ghana has no legal requirements for responsible gambling and no self-exclusion provisions. Meaning bettors must bet at their own risk because companies don’t have to worry about being legally obliged to protect the bettor’s interests. Online gambling is the least regulated form of gambling in Ghana with no current legislation addressing the rapidly changing digital landscape of sports betting. Furthermore, Ghana’s government has no legislation limiting how and where companies can advertise their sportsbooks.
- Gambling and betting activity appeared in Ghana relatively recently. Nevertheless, sports betting began to develop quite quickly and were able to win the hearts of millions of players. However, this was preceded by a series of events. In 2015, only a few percents of the players who lived in Ghana had the opportunity to place bets on betting sites.
- The Gaming Act 721 permitted the four land-based casinos to operate legally, as well the creation of online betting sites in Ghana, provided they adhere to regulation from the Gaming Commission of Ghana (GCG) who are responsible for issuing licenses to all gaming operators and permits to companies and individuals that wish run promotions with elements of game of chance.
- Gaming commission of Ghana is responsible for issuing licenses to all gaming operators and permits to companies and individuals that wish run promotions with elements of game of chance. Inspection To ensure full compliance with the gaming law and regulations, inspections are carried out continuously.
The Popularity Of Sports Betting In Ghana & COVID-19
Ghanaians have taken to sports betting in a big way. For some, it occurred in times of unemployment while for others, it was a way to supplement their income through wagering on matches. More and more people in the country have turned to gambling on sports, more specifically soccer, as it is believed to be the fastest way to become rich. Some Ghanaians spend half of their day calculating what wagers to make with many of the younger generations choosing to gamble on sporting events rather than get regular jobs.
The Coronavirus Pandemic severely hurt the sports bettors of Ghana when soccer and other major sports stopped playing in order to help contain the outbreak of COVID-19. Revenue that was much needed by the country from the industry as well as all of the gamblers that relied on their winnings to sustain an adequate way of life were greatly affected. Toward the end of 2020, things started to turn around for sports betting in Ghana when games made their way back to daily life. However, the effects of COVID-19 will be felt by the country and avid gamblers of all sports for quite some time.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Ghana?
It is completely legal for those living in Ghana to participate in online sports betting. Since the internet has become more accessible in the country, there has been a spike in online gaming. Ghana loves sports, with an affinity toward soccer in particular as their team is always trying and succeeding for the most part at making it to the FIFA World Cup. It’s no wonder that soccer is their biggest market for sports betting activity. While the country does have a few platforms of their own for online sportsbooks, the biggest operators are those that are offshore. These companies are legal to use by all avid sports betting enthusiasts in Ghana and cover a global scale’s worth of events and bets to choose from.
One of the most popular internet sports betting platforms in the country is SportsBetting Sportsbook. They accept members from Ghana and have plenty of bets to choose from as well as promotions. The entire experience is what makes them one of the top sites to use in the country for all of the online sports betting needs of Ghanaian sports bettors. This company also has translations available for the people in the country should they not speak English. This is a very helpful tool that not many online sportsbooks have when it comes to Ghana. Even with soccer being the number one sport to gamble on, for all of those Ghanaian people that would prefer to wager on something else, they will be able to find everything and more to gamble on with offshore legal sports betting websites.
Ghana Sports Betting Markets
By far the two largest markets in Ghana are the cities of Accra and Kumasi, as of 2013 the only two cities in the country with more than 540,000 people. But betting on local football clubs remains popular throughout the entire country. Many sportsbooks offer special promotions for fans betting on local teams, especially those of the Ghana Premier League, which helps keep sports betting interest high throughout the year. In addition to the national league, the two most popular leagues to bet on are the English Premier League and the Spanish La Liga.
After football, boxing is Ghana’s most popular sport, especially in low-income communities that have not yet felt the effects of Ghana’s recent economic growth. While Ghana has not seen a world champion since Azumah Nelson, who retained the WBC world Super Featherweight title from 1988 until 1994, the unbridled enthusiasm for boxing persists across the country. Bookies take bets on everything from major world championship fights down to local bouts between young up-and-comers.
Where Ghana Sports Betting Revenue Goes
The Gaming Commission of Ghana is responsible for issuing licenses and permits. The commission generates revenue through taxes from casinos, sports betting, and promotions involving games of chance. In Ghana, sports betting has given the country more opportunities to employ its people and has given a steady source of income for local football clubs. With little to no legislation and very relaxed taxation laws, it’s tough to pinpoint where the revenue from sports betting goes in Ghana. However, Ghana has recently imposed a 17.5% tax on domestic betting companies and patrons of their services.
The Gaming Commission of Ghana, however, does not deal with the Lottery side of things. The National Lottery Authority (NLA) was set up in 2007 and handles this category of gaming. The lottery is both an important source of revenue for the country through taxes along with providing funding for social initiatives. It remains to be seen if the lawmakers in Ghana will have similar legislation for sports betting.
Legal Ghana Sports Betting Sites
Legal Ghana Sports betting sites can be found throughout the internet. With Ghana not having much legislation about online sports betting many residents of Ghana have a plethora of online options to place their wagers. Furthermore, a lot of the legal sports betting sites in Ghana offer much better odds and different sports than the brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in Ghana. As many more citizens of Ghana get access to the internet through their mobile devices, legal Ghana sports betting sites will continue to pop up on the internet.
Legal Sports betting sites that take customers from Ghana are BetOnline, and MyBookie. Both sites have their entire sportsbook available in a mobile sportsbook version which allows bettors to place their wagers anytime and anywhere. With a variety of odds and lines for bettors of all levels of experience to bet on Legal sports betting sites in Ghana have never been easier to find.
BetOnline – Get $1,000 To Bet On La Liga
BetOnline is one of the best online sportsbooks in the world and is open to customers in Ghana. BetOnline has the most up to date odds and lines on sports like the NFL, NBA, MLB, Premier League Soccer, Cricket, and Rugby. With so many different sports betting options available to bettors, it’s clear why BetOnline is one of the most used sportsbooks in Ghana. BetOnline also offers mobile betting which allows bettors to access the entire sportsbook from their mobile phone, tablet, or laptop.
BetOnline also has a very generous welcome bonus that gives fans in Ghana Up to $1,000 dollars to bet on La Liga soccer by simply using the promotional code BOL1000. When you make your first deposit using the promotional code, BetOnline will match 50% of your initial deposit up to $1,000 dollars. With such a great incentive to get bettors in Ghana to join, it’s easy to see why many citizens of Ghana use BetOnline.
Which Payment Methods Are Accepted At Sportsbooks In Ghana?
There are numerous ways to fund your sports betting accounts in Ghana. The most common way to fund your bets is with the Ghanaian cedi, which is the official currency of Ghana. MTN Mobile Money, Vodafone Cash, Airtel, and Tigo are all commonly accepted deposit methods in Ghana. Most sportsbooks in Ghana accept Visa or Mastercard (Debit or Credit) and bettors can choose to add money into their account any time they please. Another payment method that many sportsbooks are starting to accept is the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. With some sportsbooks offering promotional bonuses for using Bitcoin in your initial deposit, the cryptocurrency is becoming more popular to use in sports betting. When betting on offshore sportsbooks in Ghana, it’s best to use a valid debit or credit card.
What’s The Minimum Gambling Age In Ghana?
The minimum gambling age in Ghana is 18 years old. This includes sports betting both land-based and online. Sportsbooks strictly enforce Ghana’s sports betting age laws and will not permit you to partake in sports betting if you are underage. You will be required to provide legal documentation to prove you are indeed at least 18 years old before you will be able to bet on sports in Ghana. Those who are of the legal sports betting age in Ghana have access to the wide array of sports betting opportunities presented in the country for both land-based and online betting.
What’s In Store For The Future Of Sports Betting In Ghana?
Ghana’s sports betting future has a positive outlook for years to come. This is because many citizens are starting to own smartphones and that has brought online sportsbooks into the palms of bettor’s hands for the first time. As more of the population of Ghana becomes connected to the internet, the sports betting economy in Ghana should experience consistent growth for the next couple of years. With online sportsbooks not being regulated in Ghana, it won’t be long before Ghana’s government realizes how much money they’re missing out on regarding online sports betting. This should generate even more revenue for Ghana’s government.
What Are Some Online Sportsbooks That Accept Players From Ghana?
There are a few online sportsbooks that accept Ghana bettors. Bovada, BetOnline, and MyBookie are a few of the more popular options for Ghana players. These online sportsbooks also offer a slew of deposit and withdrawal options, ensuring all Ghana players can find a method that suits them. These online sportsbooks provide full-service sports betting to all Ghana sports bettors. You will find any wager type you can think of when betting on sports online in Ghana.
| Ghana Info | |
| Status: | Regulated |
| Online: | Unregulated |
| Min Age: | 18+ |
| Restrictions: | Unregulated online Industry |
| Popular Sports: | Soccer, Cricket, Rugby, Basketball |
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Youth in the country of Ghana have become notorious for their participation in 'sakawa,' a type of cyber crime in which slick emails are sent to foreigners in hopes of scamming the gullible for money. Many poor, unemployed young people in this struggling country have come to view sakawa as a way to get the funds they need. The tide is turning away from criminal online activity in Ghana, however, as a new fad emerges: sports betting.
Instead of using the Internet for fraudulent purposes, many Ghanaian kids now use it to monitor sports statistics. They take this information with them to the gambling dens of Accra, Ghana's capital, and wager money on sports matches in hopes of earning much-needed money. Indeed, the process of obtaining money through sports betting is more convenient and less convoluted than the online swindling that is sakawa.
Proponents of sports gambling in Ghana say this new fad is a welcome departure from the criminal cyber activity that has given Ghanaian youth such a bad reputation. As an added bonus, increased sports betting may also provide a solution to the unemployment problems that plague the country.
Gambling in Ghana
Gambling is legal in Ghana, both online and on land. The country permits the operation of brick-and-mortar casinos, lotteries, online gaming, and sports betting. Ghanaian youth who participate in sports betting have no doubt seen their elders doing the same; the pastime is extremely popular in the African nation. Patrons at La Palm Casino in Accra, for example, have 24-hour access to computers on which they can place sports bets through the international sportsbook, Ladbrokes.com.
Premier Betting: Expanding in Ghana
Premier Betting is an online/on-land business that touts itself as Ghana's number one sports betting operation. The business operates in five different Ghana locations as well as 27 other African nations. Betting dens are packed daily with people who crowd around large flat screen televisions to monitor various games. Bettors who can't visit Premier locations in person can also wager money via mobile and the Internet. Tony Hill, the CEO at Premier Betting in Ghana, has said that he foresees significant expansion of the Premier Betting business throughout Ghana, as well as the entire continent of Africa.
A Variety of Betting Scenarios
Ghana's Premier Betting website encourages consumers to use their knowledge of football to 'win cash today.' Bettors can wager money not only on the outcome of sports matches, but also on the scores at other predetermined increments throughout the games. Three possible outcomes always exist in 'normal' betting with Premier: the home team has more points, the away team has more points, or the points are tied.
Premier bettors can wager money on other game scenarios, too:
- Money can be wagered on whether a team will score more or less than a predetermined number of goals.
- Money can be wagered on a 'handicap' bet in which the less-favored team is given a goal's head start.
- Money can be wagered on whether or not both teams score more than one goal.
When it comes to Premier, numerous possible betting scenarios exist, making the business all the more alluring and lucrative for patrons.
Virtual Dog and Horse Races
In addition to sports matches, Premier also accepts bids on virtual dog and horse races. Many types of bets exist, including 'win,' 'place,' and 'show.' Two other interesting options are 'quinella,' in which the bettor must accurately predict first and second place winners in no particular order, and 'exacta,' in which the bettor must accurately predict first and second place winners in their precise order.
Safaribet
Like Premier, Safaribet is a sportsbook in Ghana. Safaribet came to Accra last spring and has already established itself as an exciting opportunity for Ghanaians to wager and earn money betting on sports. Patrons use Safaribet to bet on the outcomes of soccer, baseball, rugby, tennis, and a host of other games. Bettors can set up their wagers online at safaribet.com or go in person to a Safaribet branch. Mr. Halit Karabashaglu, CEO of Africa Gaming & Entertainment Limited, said he hopes Safaribet will provide both entertainment and employment opportunities to Ghanaians.
Safaribet: Job Opportunities in Ghana
After operating for only six months in Accra, Safaribet has opened four shops which employ 140 people. The company projects that, within the next several years, it will employ thousands of citizens as it opens more betting shops.
Mybet.com to Promote Ghana Football Leagues
Mybet.com is a popular sports betting website with a Ghanaian chapter that claims to be 'not rivaled by any other betting company in Ghana,' according to its Facebook page. Kwaku Ohemeng Adjei, CEO of the company, hopes the growing popularity of his business will help promote local Ghana football leagues. Ghanaian sports bettors currently prefer to wager their money on European matches, but Adjei projects that the popularity of his business will rekindle the community's interest in local football.
Also on the horizon is the exciting possibility that Mybet.com will one day take bets on non-sports issues like political elections. An expansion like this would likely stimulate the gambling economy in Ghana, as well as its employment rate.
Ghana has struggled for years with issues related to poverty, unemployment, and crime. Restless youth in the country have resorted to illegal Internet activity to fill their time, as well as their pocketbooks. Today, the growing popularity of sports betting in the country may provide a light at the end of the tunnel. Through companies like Premier Betting, Safaribet, and Mybet.com, citizens are able to earn some money through sports gambling, which is legal in the country. If the industry continues to grow as predicted, more jobs will be created and the African gambling panorama will become a very important resource to boost the local economy.
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