Lottery games exist in Guinea-Bissau but operate in a largely unregulated legal environment. Gambling is not forbidden by law in Guinea-Bissau but remains substantially unregulated, creating a grey area for lottery operations. While the country lacks concrete laws to regulate the gambling industry comprehensively, some lottery organizations function within this framework (1).
The Ministry of Tourism of Guinea Bissau oversees the land-based gambling sector, though regulatory enforcement remains limited. According to the law, individuals under 18 are prohibited from participating in any lottery activities, with the same age restriction applying to other forms of gambling. Some lottery organizations donate portions of their revenue to community causes, such as funding scholarships (2).
"In other jurisdictions like Eritrea and Guinea Bissau, gambling is not forbidden by law but largely unregulated."
Despite the absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework, lottery activities continue to operate in Guinea-Bissau. The country's predominantly Islamic culture influences gambling attitudes, though this has not resulted in an outright prohibition of lotteries. Residents can purchase lottery tickets, though the market remains underdeveloped compared to neighboring African countries (1).
Source:
https://focusgn.com/africa/legal-gambling-in-africa-a-country-by-country-analysis
https://lcb.org/restrictions/guinea-bissau
Last updated: 16-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
