Equatorial Guinea temporarily suspends betting shops
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Radio Macuto
Equatorial Guinea's vice-president announced on 6 November the temporary suspension of all betting shops in the country, five of nine of which are reportedly operating illegally. He accused 1xBet in particular of moving about $4.2 million out of the country, while the case raises questions over licences issued to online gaming operators, Radio Macuto reports.
Equatorial Guinea has temporarily suspended all betting shops, Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue announced on X on 6 November. He said five of the nine establishments operating in the country were illegal. He accused 1xBet in particular of moving about $4.2 million, equivalent to more than 2.409 billion CFA francs, in cash through Cameroon and in cryptocurrencies, according to Radio Macuto.
The vice-president also accused Bettomax, which he said had received a 10-year authorisation from former Tourism Minister Rufino Ndong Esono Nchama. Radio Macuto reports that a source close to the case believes the regime is mainly concerned about foreign currency outflows linked to online betting, with payments deducted from the foreign currency provided to Equatorial Guinea by BEAC, the central bank of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa.
Rufino Ndong Esono Nchama, former Tourism Minister, was sentenced in February 2024 to six months' detention and a 10 million CFA franc fine in a case involving the falsification of Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo's signature, according to Real Equatorial Guinea. Sources cited by Radio Macuto say he is still being held.
The suspension comes after a meeting between Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue and B2Tech, a company active in betting solutions, on 27 October. Radio Macuto reports that B2Tech is proposing a joint venture to manage a national lottery. The media outlet had also reported the closure of Malabo's betting shops and the loss of jobs for more than 500 workers.
