Gambling in Morocco has a unique setup compared to neighboring countries, and you could say it is the most progressive country in North Africa regarding gambling regulations. While gambling is legal, the gambling options are mainly geared toward tourists, and locals face more restrictive rules, but they still have quite a bit of other options.
Morocco’s gambling history started in 1930, influenced by its French colonial past. This period introduced the first casinos, including the Casino de Marrakech, which opened in 1952. It remains a significant venue and a popular choice for visitors.
Today, Morocco has several land-based casinos, such as the Casino de Marrakech, Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in El Jadida, and Le Grand Casino La Mamounia in Marrakech, which is a hit with high rollers, as well as others in cities like Casablanca. The legal gambling age is 18, and the state keeps a close eye on these casinos to ensure everything is in order.
These casinos offer traditional games like roulette, blackjack, and poker and are primarily aimed at tourists. Moroccan citizens generally can’t gamble there unless they have foreign nationality or special permission.
For locals, the Moroccan National Lottery and sports betting are more accessible forms of gambling. These options are regulated and available under specific rules and provide a way for Moroccans to participate in gambling activities according to the law.
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Navigating the world of gambling in Morocco isn’t always straightforward. While some forms of gambling are clearly legal, like state-run sports betting and lotteries, others exist in more of a grey area. Online gambling further makes the situation more complex—while betting on sports through official channels is permitted, online casinos and other gambling sites aren’t explicitly regulated.
Gambling in Morocco is mainly run by state entities like La Marocaine des Jeux et des Sports (MDJS), which has a monopoly on sports betting. MDJS, a state-owned company set up in 1962, handles sports betting and lottery games under the Ministry of Youth and Sports. They offer a variety of betting options on both local and international sports. The money made from these bets helps fund sports programs and events across the country.
Another key player in Morocco’s gambling scene is SOREC (Société Royale d’Encouragement du Cheval), which focuses on the equine industry. SOREC manages horse racing, breeding, and other equestrian activities. They handle legal betting at racecourses and through authorized channels, ensuring everything is fair and transparent. SOREC also works to prevent illegal betting and promotes responsible gambling in horse racing.
Additionally, the Société des Courses de Lévriers du Maroc (SCLM) oversees greyhound racing in Morocco. Similar to SOREC, SCLM manages races, maintains racecourses, and ensures betting on greyhound races is conducted by the rules.
Both SOREC and SCLM operate within the broader national gambling laws, which are overseen by other government bodies like the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
When it comes to online gambling, though, things are not as clear-cut. Officially, Morocco doesn’t have specific laws that regulate online casinos or internet gambling. However, online gambling is still very popular and many Moroccans play on international gambling sites, which aren’t technically legal but aren’t really policed either. This means that while online gambling is accessible, it’s operating in a legal gray area. Players often use KYC gambling sites, e-wallets or prepaid cards to navigate around the banking restrictions that can sometimes block gambling transactions.
So, if you’re in Morocco and you’re into gambling, you’ve got options—just be aware that online gambling is not as straightforward as walking into a local casino. It’s a bit of a wild west, where players have to be smart about how they manage their s and choose their platforms.
Morocco’s legal system is influenced by both Islamic law (Sharia) and French legal traditions due to its historical ties with . Islam, which is the dominant religion in Morocco, traditionally prohibits gambling as haram. However, the French legal influence, stemming from Morocco’s colonial past, has allowed for a more secular approach to certain activities, including regulated gambling, particularly for non-Muslims and tourists.
This dual influence is evident in the way gambling laws are structured—allowing certain forms of gambling like state-run lotteries and sports betting, while still placing restrictions in line with Islamic principles, such as the prohibition on Moroccan citizens from gambling in casinos. This combination of influences creates a unique legal environment where gambling is permitted under specific conditions but not fully embraced across all areas. Getting a license to operate a casino isn’t easy, requiring approval from several high-level government officials. Plus, there’s a progressive tax on gambling activities, so the more a casino earns, the more it pays.
As for the future of online gambling in Morocco, it’s uncertain. The government hasn’t made any moves to regulate this space yet, so for now, things continue in a kind of legal limbo. With online casinos growing in popularity, there’s a chance Morocco might eventually introduce clearer regulations, but that remains to be seen.
Sports betting is a big deal in Morocco, and the numbers tell an interesting story. According to the TGM International Sports Betting Survey 2022 https://tgmresearch.com/gambling-sports-betting-market-research-in-morocco.html#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20results%20of,within%20the%20last%2012%20months., it turns out that a lot of Moroccans are really into it. Here’s the scoop:
Betting on sports is one of the most popular activities in Morocco. In fact, a whopping 54% of the survey respondents said they’ve placed some kind of bet in 2022. Among those, 39% are all about sports betting specifically. About 37% of folks are placing bets on sports every week, and another 39% are doing it monthly. There’s also a smaller group—12%—who bet a few times a year, with 8% who make it an annual event.
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The top reason is pretty straightforward: the chance to win some cash. Around 45% of respondents said that’s their main motivation. But it’s not all about the money—33% of people bet because they enjoy the thrill of it, and 36% believe that it makes watching sports even more fun. For some, it’s just a hobby (17%), while others got into it because someone they know suggested it (10%).
These days, sports betting in Morocco is going digital. A massive 84% of bettors prefer to place their wagers online or through mobile apps, which is a huge shift from traditional methods. Only 16% still head to physical sportsbooks or casinos to place their bets, showing just how much the internet is changing the game.
The FIFA World Cup 2022 was a huge event for sports betting in Morocco. According to the survey, 67% of respondents were planning to bet on the World Cup outcomes. This shows just how much major sports events can drive betting activity, with people eager to get in on the action during big games.
Finally, the survey highlighted that betting isn’t just about the money—it’s also about the love of the game. A solid 78% of bettors said they actively watch, listen to, or follow the sports events they bet on. This deep connection between betting and sports viewership shows that for many Moroccans, betting is just another way to get more engaged with their favorite sports.
Moroccan players face some limitations when it comes to using typical casino banking options due to the country’s financial regulations and the unregulated nature of online gambling. Currency conversion and bank restrictions are posing a challenge.
Since most gambling sites do not accept Moroccan dirhams, players often have to deal with currency conversion fees and exchange rate differences when making deposits or withdrawals.
Moroccan banks may block transactions to and from gambling sites, leading players to seek alternative methods like e-wallets or cryptocurrencies.
However, there are still several payment methods that Moroccan players commonly use for online gambling:
E-wallets like Skrill and Skrill, in particular, s transactions in Moroccan dirhams (MAD), making it a convenient option.
While some Moroccan players use international credit and debit cards (e.g., MasterCard), there can be restrictions. Transactions involving gambling sites may sometimes be blocked by banks, but this is not always the case. Players may need to try multiple cards or methods to find one that works.
Prepaid cards likePaysafecard are another option that Moroccan players use. These cards can be purchased locally and then used to fund online gambling s without linking to a bank .
Some Moroccan players are turning to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin for online gambling. Cryptocurrencies offer anonymity and are not subject to the same banking restrictions, making them a viable alternative for those concerned about privacy and legality.
Direct bank transfers are less common due to the potential scrutiny by Moroccan financial institutions. However, some players still use them, especially when withdrawing larger amounts of money from their gambling s.
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When you’re betting in Morocco, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind to play it safe.
The first and most important step is to make sure you’re betting on reputable platforms. In Morocco, online betting is legal but not always tightly regulated, so it’s key to choose well-known, licensed sites. Whether they’re focused on Moroccan players or have a solid international reputation, this helps protect your money and personal info from shady operators. Be especially cautious when looking to sign up at new gaming sites with unverified reputation.
Set yourself a budget and stick to it. Betting can be a lot of fun, but with so many tempting options out there, it’s easy to get carried away. Decide on an amount you’re okay with losing, and don’t go over that limit, no matter how good the next bet looks.
Understanding the odds is a big part of making smarter bets. Whether you’re placing a bet on local football or an international event, knowing how the odds work—whether they’re in decimal, fractional, or moneyline form—can really help you make better decisions and get a clearer picture of what you might win.
One thing to definitely avoid is chasing your losses. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to win back what you’ve lost, but this usually leads to even bigger losses. If you’re on a losing streak, it’s better to take a break rather than make impulsive bets that could dig you into a deeper hole.
A lot of the better gambling sites available to Moroccan players offer tools to help keep your gambling in check. These might include setting deposit limits, taking time-outs, or even self-exclusion features. These are great for managing your betting habits, and if you ever feel like things are getting out of hand, don’t hesitate to use the self-exclusion option to take a step back.
Staying in the loop about the casinos, games, sports or events you’re betting on is another good move. The more you know, the better your chances of placing winning bets. Keeping up with the latest news, stats, and trends can really give you an edge.
And here’s a big one: avoid betting when you’re not thinking clearly. Whether you’re at a café in Morocco enjoying some mint tea or just gaming from home, you want to make sure your head’s in the right place. Betting under the influence—whether it’s alcohol or anything else—can lead to decisions you’ll regret later.
Finally, know when to call it a day. Gambling should be fun and something you control, not the other way around. Set yourself clear win and loss limits, and if you hit either, it’s time to walk away, whether you’re on a hot streak or cooling off.
