Gambling, including lottery games, is legal in São Tomé and Príncipe following the passage of gambling legislation in 2004 that came into effect in April 2005. This law established the main legal framework for all land-based wagering activities in the country, allowing residents to participate freely in various games of chance. The legislation permits individuals aged 18 years and older to access brick-and-mortar casinos and engage in lottery activities under government oversight (1).
The regulatory framework for gambling in São Tomé and Príncipe underwent significant development through the introduction of the Gaming Act in the 2000s, which formalized the regulation and licensing of gambling operations. Licensed gambling operations are taxed based on Gross Gaming Revenue, though specific tax rates have not been publicly disclosed. A dedicated regulatory agency was established within the Ministry of Finance to oversee compliance with gambling laws and manage licensing procedures for operators in the country (2).
"In accordance with the legislation, residents of the island can freely participate in different games of chance and access brick-and-mortar casinos, naturally, if they are not younger than 18 years."
The gambling sector in São Tomé and Príncipe has evolved significantly since initial legalization in the 1990s, with amendments to the Gaming Act throughout the 2010s addressing emerging forms of gambling and clarifying licensing requirements. Further regulatory updates in 2020 strengthened governmental oversight, introduced penalties for illegal gambling operations, and reinforced player protection measures. While online gambling was explicitly recognized as legal in 2024 under specific licensing conditions, traditional land-based lottery operations remain the primary regulated gambling activity available to residents and tourists visiting the island nation (2).
Source:
https://lcb.org/restrictions/sao-tome-and-principe
https://legalpilot.com/country/sao-tome-and-principe/
Last updated: 16-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
