Online betting and bookmakers in Madagascar

In Madagascar, the gambling industry is booming. While lounges and casinos are emerging one by one, the number of Madagascans trying their hand at online sports betting is growing all the time. Here’s an overview.

Gambling legislation in Madagascar

Land-based casinos have been operating legally in Madagascar for over 50 years. The Grand Cercle de Tananarive founded the country’s very first gambling establishment in 1969. Slot machines were introduced in 1988. Madagascar currently has around ten land-based casinos, most of which are located in the capital Antananarivo.

With regard to legislation on online gaming, reforms were made in 2017. It was forbidden for an online betting operator to set up in Madagascar, but players were still able to register on foreign platforms. The situation seems to have changed in recent years, as there are now a few bookmakers based in the country.

From informal games to online betting, the Malagasy love to gamble

Gambling takes several forms in Madagascar. First of all, there is clandestine betting, almost endemic in the neighbourhoods, around card games (belote, poker, rummy, etc.), dominoes, cockfights, pétanque and many other popular disciplines where the jackpot can quickly reach a million Ariary. Then there are the sports and horse racing betting shops, which are teeming with people on a daily basis. These establishments are frequented mainly by people from the underprivileged and middle classes. The more affluent go to casinos, where they can play a whole range of slot machines, roulette or poker. Among the licensed establishments in the capital Antananarivo are the Casino du Grand Cercle du Carlton, the Casino Colbert, the Casino Marina and the Casino Mellis.

As far as online betting is concerned, after the decline of PMU, Parisport has spread rapidly among the capital’s residents. The brand has a number of channels that allow players to bet online, on mobile phones or in the traditional way at a kiosk. Bet261 has greater national coverage, with shops in the major provinces as well as in small rural towns. BetPlanet is the most recent bookmaker on the market. Madagascans can also place their bets on international platforms such as 1xBet or 22Bet.