Online betting and crypto gambling are illegal in Sudan. All gambling, whether land-based or online, is prohibited under the Criminal Act 1991, which treats games of luck and lotteries as criminal offences punishable by imprisonment and/or a fine. There is no gambling regulator, no licensing system, no national lottery and no lawful domestic or licensed operators. Cryptocurrency is unregulated and not legal tender, and the Central Bank of Sudan has warned against its use. Using offshore sites or crypto does not make gambling legal for people in Sudan.

No. Sudan bans all forms of gambling. The prohibition flows from Islamic (Sharia) principles, which classify gambling (maisir) as an unlawful activity. The CMS Expert Guide to gambling law in Sudan confirms that Sudanese law prohibits gambling “whether it is an individual behaviour, or as a matter of investment,” and records the regulator and licensing framework as not applicable. It also notes that online gambling is not separately or explicitly regulated, and that no gambling-specific tax applies.

The law does not carve out sports betting, casino games, card games, lotteries or online play; there is no dedicated internet-gambling regime, so online play falls under the same blanket prohibition.

What Does the Law Say?

Under the Criminal Act 1991, gambling or running a place for gambling is a criminal offence (dealt with in the Act’s public-nuisance chapter alongside alcohol offences). The offence carries imprisonment of up to one year and/or a fine. A flogging penalty (up to twenty-five lashes) that previously attached to this offence was removed by the 2020 amendments to the Criminal Act, which deleted the flogging wording. Habitual (repeat) offending is treated more severely.

Because there is no regulator or licence, there is no such thing as a “legal Sudanese online casino.” Any operator advertising to Sudan is offshore and unlicensed for that market.

Payments: Mobile Money and Crypto

Sudan’s day-to-day digital finance runs largely through bank apps such as Bankak from the Bank of Khartoum, used for transfers, bills and QR payments. These are regulated banking channels and are not intended for gambling, which remains illegal.

Cryptocurrency is unregulated. It is not recognised as legal tender and, according to the Central Bank of Sudan, is not classified as money or property under current legislation. In March 2022 the Central Bank publicly warned residents against crypto dealings, citing risk of value loss, financial crime and hacking, as reported by CoinDesk and Bloomberg. This was a warning rather than a formal criminal ban, but it signals a hostile stance. Using crypto to fund gambling combines two high-risk grey or illegal activities.

Safety, Winnings Tax and Getting Help

There is no gambling winnings tax, because gambling is illegal and unregulated; there is no lawful channel to declare such income. More importantly, participating exposes people in Sudan to criminal liability, plus the usual offshore-site risks: no consumer protection, no dispute recourse, and payment or withdrawal problems with no local remedy.

We found no Sudan-specific problem-gambling helpline in authoritative sources, and Sudan’s health system is under severe strain amid ongoing conflict. Anyone struggling should seek support from a trusted doctor, imam or community health service where available.

Gambling is for adults only (18+). It is illegal in Sudan and carries real legal and financial risk. If gambling is affecting you or someone you know, please reach out to a healthcare professional or trusted community support.

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