Games of chance are legal in Sao Tome And Principe, an island country of Central Africa, but online gambling is generally considered an unregulated area. There are no specific laws and provisions to legislate web-based casinos and other forms of interactive betting activities.
Overview
One of the smallest sovereign states in Africa with a population of about 200,000 people, Sao Tome And Principe actually consists of two volcanic islands and several rocky islets situated off the coast of Gabon. The distance between the two sister islands – Sao Tome and Principe – is about 90 miles while the former, as a larger sister, is also home to the same-named capital city.
The islands had been uninhabited until the late 1400s when they were discovered by Portuguese explorers voyaging the Atlantic Ocean. The establishment of sugar plantations and the transshipment of slaves from the mainland marked the following century. The country got its independence from the Land of Fado music in 1975 but Portuguese is still an official language spoken and understood by virtually all inhabitants. Needless to say, Portugal remains the country’s main and largest trade partner.
Pestana Sao Tome…
… is a 5-star hotel resort that besides awe-inspiring panoramic sea views, luxurious accommodation, and gourmet restaurants, also provides a true casino experience. It is the only place on the island where players can spin the reels of slot machines – the striking rows of sleek cabinets offers plenty of fun to every type of gambler, including punters looking for hitting a progressive jackpot.
The largest multinational Group of Portuguese origin in the tourism industry, Pestana is a big-name player on a global scale and far from being a newbie to the casino business. In 1986, it made headlines all over the world when the iconic Pestana Casino Park in Madeira opened its doors for the first guests. Those who fancy sports, soccer in particular, most probably associate the Group with its chain of CR7 lifestyle hotels (one of them is located in New York) created in partnership with legendary Cristiano Ronaldo.
Local Gambling Laws
Once a leading cocoa producer, modern Sao Tome And Principe sees tourism as a chance for the social and economic development of the country. Advertised as Paradise on Earth, the island is known for its spectacular settings, however, even unrivaled natural beauties alone are never enough to attract visitors.
It’s no secret that exciting Vegas-style entertainment is often the decisive factor in choosing the next holiday destination, therefore, in 2004, the Government adopted the Law to legalize gambling in the country. It came into effect in April 2005 and remains the main legal framework for all land-based wagering activities. 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.
As for online gambling, it is not specifically mentioned in the law nor has the dedicated agency established within the Ministry of Finance tried to bring to the table for further consideration the issue of regulated distant gaming, at least not till now. At the same time, the Government doesn’t restrict access to the offshore website, which means that both residents of the island and visiting tourists can freely use the services of overseas operators.
Online Casinos In Sao Tome And Principe
Sao Tome was named by CNN one of the best places to visit in 2020, which gives hope for the further growth of the country’s tourist sector, and a result, the development of both land-based and online casino industries. Naturally, since the island is a bit complicated to reach, it can hardly become another Macau, also a former Portuguese colony that is now considered an Asian gambling mecca.
Anyway, at the moment, in the absence of dedicated legislation and appointed authority, there are no betting websites licensed by the state. On the bright side, Sao Tome And Principe doesn’t restrict access to offshore online casinos, many of which are available in Portuguese, leaving it to players to decide which operator to choose. The extensive list below features top-rated gambling sites that accept punters from this country.
Games of chance are legal in Sao Tome And Principe, an island country of Central Africa, but online gambling is generally considered an unregulated area. There are no specific laws and provisions to legislate web-based casinos and other forms of interactive betting activities. Overview One of the smallest sovereign states in Africa with a population of about 200,000 people, Sao Tome And Principe actually consists of two volcanic islands and several rocky islets situated off the coast of Gabon ....