Madagascar Overhauls Gambling Laws: Age 21 Limit and Ban on Credit Betting

Madagascar is taking a significant step toward modernizing its gambling regulation. The Ministry of Interior and Decentralization has introduced Draft Law No. 019/2026, which is intended to replace a regulatory framework that has been in place for more than fifty years. Until now, the system relied on laws from 1971 that were no longer adequate for the digital age. The National Assembly has already adopted the bill during an extraordinary session. This move is a response to the rapid growth of the African gambling market, which is projected to reach a volume of over $22 billion by 2029.

The new legislation creates a clear structure for both land-based and digital gambling. It is not just about licensing but about a comprehensive protection mechanism. Operators will be required to strictly verify the age and legal capacity of players. The minimum age is set uniformly at 21 years. This is a clear move to protect young adults from the risks of gambling addiction. A particularly notable feature is the outright ban on credit betting. Operators are prohibited from lending money to players, and they may not provide platforms where players can lend money to each other.

Numbers and facts

The draft law divides the market into five specific categories. The first category includes casino games in hotels with at least three stars. The second category covers casinos outside of hotels and amusement arcades. Betting on animals, sports betting, lotteries, and scratch cards form the third group. Online gambling and network-based games are grouped into the fourth category. The penalties for non-compliance are draconian. Anyone placing unauthorized advertisements faces fines between 10 million and 30 million Ariary, which is approximately $2,300 to $7,000.

For serious offenses such as fraudulent online operations or money laundering, the law provides for prison sentences of one to five years. In addition, there are fines of up to 50 million Ariary (approx. $11,600). Even failing to connect to the national monitoring platform of the Ministry of Interior can be punished with three months to three years in prison. Existing operators have exactly one year after the final adoption of the law to renew their licenses and comply with all new requirements.

Background

The reform is closely linked to Article 95.II.5 of Madagascar’s Constitution. It aims to end fragmented regulation. Previously, in addition to the old 1971 law, there was a decree from February 2026, which will now be absorbed into the new unified structure. A central element is the national platform for monitoring online gambling. This allows the government to collect data in real-time and effectively combat money laundering. Violations of anti-money laundering guidelines result in the immediate revocation of the license. Anyone who loses their license will be banned for ten years and may not open or participate in a new gambling business during this period.

"The draft sets out a modern framework to regulate gambling activities and venues nationwide, replacing outdated structures with a unified system for licensing, online gambling, and player protection." - Excerpt from the explanatory text of the Ministry of Interior and Decentralization

Why it matters for German players

For German players, the regulation in Madagascar has no direct impact on their daily lives but serves as an interesting comparison for global trends. While the German Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) is very restrictive with a €1,000 deposit limit and a €1 stake limit for slots, Madagascar shows that other regions are also turning toward stricter oversight. In Germany, the minimum age is generally 18, whereas Madagascar is now moving up to 21. German tourists should be aware that in Madagascar, they will only have access to casinos from age 21. Anyone wanting to play safely in Germany must strictly look for the whitelist of the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL). Only there is a legally secure framework guaranteed through systems like LUGAS and OASIS, which, similar to what is now planned in Madagascar, puts player protection at the center.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

German providers with a GGL license can only welcome this international trend toward professionalization. A clear categorization of gambling forms, as Madagascar is now introducing, is already a reality in Germany through the separation of sports betting, virtual slot machines, and online poker. The introduction of national monitoring platforms is a concept similar to the German LUGAS system. It shows that the fight against the black market and addiction prevention are global priorities. GGL-licensed casinos benefit indirectly when illegal offshore providers come under stronger pressure worldwide, as this increases acceptance for regulated and safe markets.