Tunisia is a North African country with 1300 km of coastline. It gained its independence from France in 1956. It is famous for its wealth of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Swimmer Oussama Mellouli, a three-time Olympic medalist, is one of the country’s most famous athletes. As for sports, football is very popular among locals. The Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 is the top competition. It attracts thousands of fans countrywide. When it comes to gambling, Tunisia has a different stance compared to other Arab countries.
While gambling is generally illegal, the same does not apply to sports betting, which is only legal in brick-and-mortar venues owned by Promosport. Moreover, one may also find casinos, which only accept tourists though. When talking about the online environment, the Tunisia betting scene is full of foreign bookmakers. No bookies hold licenses, apart from Promosport with its few betting shops. The lack of strict laws allows local bettors to place their bets online with bookmakers like Bet365 and 1xBet.
Best Betting Sites in Tunisia
Below we present you the Tunisia betting sites that deliver great odds on the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1, along with a wide variety of betting markets and promotions.
Gambling in Tunisia - 5 Things to Know
- 1 The legal gambling age is 18
- 2 Land-based casinos are only open to tourists
- 3 Sports betting is offered by Promosport, a state-owned company
- 4 Despite having a long tradition of purebred horses, horse racing is not allowed
- 5 There are no licensed online bookmakers
General info
⏩Population: 11.800.000
⏩Active players: 1.500.000
⏩Currency: Tunisian Dinar (TND)
⏩Regulated gambling products: Sports betting, land-based casinos, lotteries
⏩Operator types: Land-based casinos (only for tourists), betting shops, unlicensed international bookmakers
⏩Designated authority: Ministry of Youth, Sports & Physical Education (for Promosport only)
⏩Status: Unregulated
Betting in Tunisia: The Law Framework
Gambling in Tunisia falls under no appropriate law framework. There are several casinos in the country; however, they are only available to tourists. On the other hand, sports betting is available for local bettors, too, but only at Promosport points of sale, which is the state-owned operator.
The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Physical Education is the supervising authority for gambling in the country. There’s no procedure for issuing licenses in Tunisia. Consequently, when it comes to online betting, Tunisia offers access to many international bookmakers.
However, since many domestic laws follow the French code, law enforcement is quite relaxed. With not much censorship, players are practically free to bet online at any international bookie they like.
Essential Information for Tunisian Bettors
If a Promosport shop is where you choose to place your bet, Tunisia will impose a 25% tax on your winnings. This tax applies on winnings deriving from any land-based gambling activity. However, if you bet online at any international bookmaker, you get to keep all you win.
Even though internet censorship was more apparent before the 2011 revolution; things are far more lenient now. Locals can access the services of domestic and international betting sites in Tunisia. Some of the most popular domestic bookies are bet216.tn, tounesbet.com and tbet.tn. Their offer of sports and betting markets, however, is not as rich and versatile.
Globally renowned bookmakers like Melbet and Bet365 are the go-to brands for enjoying top-quality sports betting. On top of all the above, it’s also a good idea to use a VPN; despite measures not being so strict. Betting on privacy is always good when the law is imposing or could impose restrictions.
Also Read: Updated Melbet Review
How to Deposit at Online Bookies
Tunisian players have plenty of options to top up their accounts. Credit and debit cards can be used for online gambling through local services like RunPay or Paymee. Certain domestic bookmakers also accept ViaMobile vouchers that can be bought from several points across the country.
However, top e-wallets Skrill and Neteller are both offering their services in Tunisia. The ease and quality of their services are distinctive.
Gambling Regulations in Neighbouring Regions
⏩ Algeria: Apart from some specific types of lottery and horse race betting, online gambling has been deemed illegal since 2018. The Ministry of Youth and Sports is tasked with finding violators. So, if you want to play on international Algeria betting sites, we recommend being extremely careful and not sharing your activity.
⏩ Libya: There are no specific laws on gambling, mainly because it is strictly prohibited. Nonetheless, the locals' love for it created a large black market in the country, where players can illegally sign up at some of the best Libya betting sites online. The silver lining is that authorities are not very keen on hunting the law-breakers.
⏩ France: After a rollercoaster of laws, the gambling scene in the country was finally regulated by the Gambling Act. There are currently 17 French betting sites that have obtained a local license and operate perfectly legally. However, players are, technically, free to access unlicensed operators as well.
The Future of Gambling in Tunisia
An internet penetration rate of around 64% portrays the possibilities for online betting in Tunisia. Especially since it is a country where not much censorship is taking place. With lots of players already betting online, it could be an opportunity for the state to regulate the online environment.
Handing licenses and benefiting from taxation afterwards could be a turning point for the local economy. However, this is not expected to take place soon; since the general stance towards gambling is expected to remain rather cautious. Still, if this ever happens, we will be the first to notify you of the changes.
With such limited land-based options, Tunisians are always looking to bet online. Stick to online bookies you are familiar with. Choose big names like Melbet and William Hill and enjoy a safe online betting experience.
1xBet is among the bookmakers that will gladly accept Tunisian players. It comes with a wide array of betting markets and competitive football odds. It will also allow you to bet in Arabic or French.
There is no legal framework covering online betting in specific. You can bet at a few places scattered in the cities and with no restrictions in place; betting online won't land you any problems in Tunisia.
They are taxed at 25% at betting shops. Nevertheless, with no legal framework for online betting, you get to keep what you win online.
Bet365 is one of the biggest international bookmakers that accept Tunisian bettors. It’s one of the most reputable online bookies in the country, offering a localized interface as well as many offers and bonuses to choose from.
There is no such thing as restricted access to online bookies in Tunisia. No surveillance is reported around betting transactions either. Use any payment method you find convenient. But keep in mind that e-wallets, like Skrill and Neteller, are always a good idea.