Tunisia Moves to Criminalize Online Gambling Amid Rising Addiction and Financial Concerns

In a step that has ignited widespread debate across Tunisia, 23 members of parliament have introduced a legislative proposal aimed at tightening restrictions on gambling and games of chance, with a particular focus on electronic gambling.

The draft law has been referred to the General Legislation Committee, where it will be examined in detail to assess its legal implications and its potential impact on Tunisian society.

For years, online gambling remained a relatively limited phenomenon in Tunisia. However, in recent times, it has expanded significantly, becoming an increasingly visible part of the country’s digital environment, particularly among young people. Local data suggests that Tunisia now ranks 33rd among 247 countries in online betting activity, with the electronic gambling market generating approximately 300 million dollars. Observers warn that this surge is worsening Tunisia’s already fragile economic situation and placing additional pressure on its foreign currency reserves.

The human cost of this growing phenomenon is reflected in personal stories such as that of Najem al-Din, a 39-year-old Tunisian employee whose addiction to online gambling ultimately destroyed his family life. He recounts that his wife chose to leave him after he became fixated on his mobile phone, spending long hours moving between gambling applications and platforms.

He explains that he went so far as to sell most of his household furniture in hopes of winning a large sum of money that would compensate his family for their losses. He admits that his wife eventually lost patience with his addiction and decided to separate from him. Speaking to Annahar, he acknowledges his repeated attempts to quit, including selling his smartphone and replacing it with a basic mobile phone. Nevertheless, he admits that he could not overcome the temptation and eventually returned to gambling, driven by the hope of recovering his losses.

The legislative push comes against the backdrop of what many consider an outdated legal framework. Current Tunisian law limits betting activities exclusively to the state. However, the emergence of cross-border digital platforms offering online betting on sports and games of chance has rendered traditional oversight mechanisms largely ineffective.

Under existing regulations, gambling and sports betting are monopolized by the state-run company Promosport, which operates under official supervision and organizes weekly sports prediction contests. Any gambling activity outside this framework is considered illegal.

Despite these restrictions, online gambling platforms have proliferated in recent years, attracting thousands of Tunisians from different social backgrounds who are drawn by the promise of easy money.

According to documents reviewed by Annahar, the proposed law introduces sweeping measures. It would prohibit organizing, operating, participating in, promoting, or advertising any game of chance, whether conducted traditionally or digitally. Exceptions would only be granted through explicit authorization from the relevant authorities and under strict conditions designed to combat addiction and protect minors.

The draft legislation also seeks to ban the creation, management, promotion, or advertisement of digital gambling platforms. In addition, internet service providers and electronic payment companies would be required to implement measures to block and prevent illegal gambling activities.

Although the initiative has generated controversy, with some parliamentarians arguing that Tunisia faces more pressing priorities, supporters insist that the law is necessary to address a growing social threat. Tunisian MP Fatma Mseddi, one of the lawmakers behind the proposal, said the initiative is intended to redefine and criminalize electronic gambling addiction.

Mseddi told Annahar that the existing gambling law dates back to 1974, arguing that it is no longer adequate. She said it is impossible to confront a modern and technologically advanced phenomenon using legislation that is more than five decades old.

She stressed that the new bill reflects the evolution of online gambling, which she described as comparable to narcotics in its destructive impact. She warned that it has become “like drugs, a plague eating away at Tunisian society and causing numerous family tragedies.”

The proposed legislation goes further by classifying online gambling as a form of organized crime linked to money laundering, often carried out by networks operating across national borders. It calls for strict penalties for offenders, including prison sentences of up to five years.

This legislative effort comes at a time when illegal betting platforms are spreading rapidly, intensifying calls for stronger regulatory oversight to safeguard both the social fabric and the financial system.

Civil society groups have also raised alarm. The Tunisian Consumer Guidance Organization has warned that the rapid rise of online gambling poses a direct threat to young people and undermines both social and economic stability.

Lotfi Riahi, head of the organization, echoed the concerns expressed by lawmakers. In remarks to Annahar, he called for updating Tunisia’s legal framework, strengthening coordination between regulatory and security agencies, and imposing penalties on anyone involved in promoting or facilitating online gambling.

He also emphasized the importance of prevention through education and awareness. Riahi urged authorities to launch nationwide awareness campaigns targeting youth, parents, and schools to address the risks associated with gambling.

He added that research and statistical data indicate a clear rise in gambling addiction, particularly among young people. According to him, the consequences are severe and include declining academic performance, family breakdown, social isolation, and mounting financial pressures.

As Tunisia grapples with this growing challenge, a key question remains unresolved: how effective can legal measures be in confronting a phenomenon driven by rapidly evolving digital technologies that often transcend national borders?

By fLEXI tEAM