Tunisia prepares new law to regulate sports betting and gambling

The Tunisian Minister of Youth and Sports, Sadok Mourali, announced during a joint plenary session on November 22, 2024, that a draft law aimed at regulating sports betting and gambling will soon be presented.

Mourali highlighted that the proposed legislation has already undergone consultations with 26 public institutions, including the Central Bank of Tunisia, the Competition Council, and the Tunisian Commission for Financial Analysis. The initiative aims to address the growing challenges posed by unregulated sports betting in the country.

This announcement follows earlier statements by former Youth and Sports Minister Kamel Déguiche in July 2024, who revealed plans for a new legal framework to manage sports betting during hearings at the Assembly of People's Representatives. Déguiche’s comments came in response to concerns raised by MP Rome Segaier regarding Promosport, the Sports Promotion Company, which currently holds a monopoly on sports prediction games in Tunisia but has been under pressure due to competition from illegal offshore operators.

Estimates suggest that offshore sports betting platforms operating in Tunisia generate annual revenues between 3 and 7 million dinars, significantly impacting Promosport's market share. 

The proposed legislation is expected to provide a framework for better regulation and control of sports betting activities, safeguarding national interests while fostering a sustainable sports industry.