Best Ivory Coast Betting Sites

Ivory Coast is located on the south coast of West Africa. It is known for its amazing landscapes and its thriving diamond trade. A French colony up until 1960, the country introduced its first gambling law ten years later, in 1970. When talking about bookmakers, Sports4africa is the nation’s leading sportsbook. It operates in partnership with LONACI, which has many betting shops nationwide.

Apart from sports betting, all other online gambling activities are illegal in Cote d’Ivoire. Football is the most popular sport in the country. The national football team has participated in 3 World Cups so far. Top-class players such as Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure and Gervinho have brought much fame and love to the sport. As for those who bet, Ivory Coast offers a mix of local and international bookmakers. Sportcash and LONACI are popular local bookies. However, most players opt for international betting sites in Ivory Coast.

Best Betting Sites in Ivory Coast

We’ve picked the best bookmakers in the country, offering great odds on the top football leagues; along with a great variety of promotions and a wide array of sports to choose from.

Gambling in Ivory Coast - 5 Things to Know

• 1
  LONACI is the only licensed online operator in the country
• 2
  The first laws on gambling were passed in 1970
• 3
  There is no apparent licensing process for bookmakers
• 4
  Many land-based betting shops exist in major cities
• 5
  The legal gambling age is 21

General info

⏩Population: 26.379.000

⏩Active players: 8.000.000

⏩Currency: West African CFA franc (XOF)

⏩Regulated gambling products: Sports betting, lottery, casino games

⏩Operator types: Online bookmakers, betting shops operated by LONACI

⏩Designated authority: Autorité de Régulation des Jeux de Hasard

⏩Status: Regulated

Sports Betting in Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast established its first law towards gambling regulation in 1970. The law deemed betting legal. However, all other forms of gambling were not. The National Lottery, run by LONACI, also became available. Nowadays, there are no restrictions against international bookmakers, so players are free to choose where to place their bets.

Nonetheless, since online betting became more and more popular, an update to the 1970 law came into effect. That was in May 2020 by the name of “LOI PORTANT RÉGIME JURIDIQUE DES JEUX DE HASARD EN CÔTE D’IVOIRE”. It appointed the Autorité de Régulation des Jeux de Hasard as the regulator.

More and more LONACI betting shops have been opened throughout the country ever since. Moreover, through a partnership with Sports4Africa, LONACI offers the only Ivory Coast bookmaker that operates online - Sportcash. The local licensees need to pay a 25% tax on their GGR. LONACI, though, pays only a 10% tax.

Essential Information for Ivorian Bettors

There is no tax on gambling winnings for Ivorian players. No matter if you enjoy the local betting shops or international bookies, what you win is 100% yours to keep. Moreover, the authorities don’t seem willing to block bookmakers’ domains through Internet Service Providers.

Therefore, you are able to access all the online betting sites you want. Likewise, players are not facing any restrictions either; with the main focus of the authorities being illegal operators. In other words, you are free to access any Ivory Coast betting site and enjoy high odds and a great variety of sports & markets.

Betting in Ivory Coast: Deposits and Withdrawals

The lack of restrictions when it comes to accessing international online betting sites also applies to payment methods. There are no blockages by banks or the government, so players can use both local and international deposit options. The local ones, such as DizaPay, Orange Money, MTN and UBA, are only available on domestic bookies.

So, e-wallets like Sticpay remain the safest and fastest way to deposit and withdraw funds online on international bookies in Ivory Coast. Along with credit and debit cards, online bettors seem to be avidly trusting them.

Gambling Regulations from Nearby Countries

⏩ Liberia: Liberia made significant strides in gambling regulation back in 1982. Building upon this foundation, the country enacted new legislation in 2015, effectively making all forms legal. Consequently, players now enjoy the liberty to freely explore all betting companies in Liberia and engage in their preferred activities without encountering any barriers.

⏩ Ghana: Gambling regulations came into light relatively early, specifically in 2006. Presently, there are over 15 licensed operators. However, they are subject to significant tax obligations imposed by the government. To assist you in locating the best betting sites in Ghana, we recommend following our comprehensive guide. It will provide you with valuable insights and recommendations for an optimal experience.

⏩ Burkina Faso: Gambling is generally regarded as legal across the country. However, the government has not yet established specific rules to oversee the industry. Despite this, players can register and participate in an expanding selection of Burkina Faso betting sites. These platforms offer a range of options and lucrative promos. 

The Future of Sports Betting in Ivory Coast

From the perspective of sports betting, Ivory Coast looks a lot more solid than neighbouring countries. The recent legislation changes focus more on allowing the authorities to fight against illegal operators by blocking their domains.

Yet, they didn't set the framework for the issuance of new bookmaker licenses. This sends a clear message that the partnership between LONACI and Sports4Africa is very likely to remain the only one of its kind.