Mauritania is considering new legislation aimed at strengthening controls on gambling, games of chance and betting, with Prime Minister El Moctar Ould Djay chairing an interministerial meeting to review a preliminary draft law on 1 October.
The proposal forms part of President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani's policy agenda and is intended to address risks associated with gambling activities, particularly those facilitated by the increasing availability of digital platforms.
Government departments and other stakeholders reviewed provisions that would tighten oversight of different forms of gambling and betting and criminalise associated practices. The Government said the framework is being developed in line with the country's Islamic values.
The meeting also considered measures to improve coordination between the government bodies involved in enforcement and oversight.
Following the discussions, Ould Djay instructed relevant parties to conduct a more detailed examination of the draft, including its religious, legal and technical elements, before a more developed version is prepared. The Government has not yet disclosed specific penalties, enforcement mechanisms or a timetable for the legislation's introduction.
The focus on digital platforms reflects a wider challenge for African governments as online betting and gambling products become increasingly accessible across the continent.
Elsewhere in Africa, governments are taking different regulatory approaches. Kenya, for example, has moved towards a broader licensing regime under its Gambling Control Act 2025 and accompanying 2026 regulations.
Kenya's reforms have faced legal challenges over increased licensing fees, while other parts of the new regulatory framework have been allowed to proceed.
Mauritania's proposal takes a different approach, focusing on tighter controls and criminalisation rather than establishing an expanded regulated gambling market. Further details are expected as the Government continues its review of the draft legislation.
Mauritania is an Islamic republic in West Africa, with a population of around 5.4 million
