Online casinos are completely illegal in Mauritania (1). As an Islamic Republic, Mauritania operates under Sharia law, which strictly prohibits all forms of gambling including online casinos, sports betting, poker, and lotteries. The government does not issue gambling licenses to any operators, meaning there are no legal gambling establishments or online gambling platforms operating within the country.
The prohibition stems from Islamic principles that consider gambling (maisir) as haram or forbidden under Islamic law (2). Mauritania's legal system combines civil law with Sharia, imposing severe penalties for offenses related to religion. While there aren't many publicized cases of enforcement against individual players, the penalties for engaging in online gambling activities would likely be severe given the country's strict adherence to Islamic law.
"Mauritania's legal system combines civil law with Sharia, imposing severe penalties for offenses related to religion and individuals who disclose sensitive information have no recourse against retaliation."
Despite the strict prohibitions, some Mauritanian residents may still access foreign online gambling sites, though these activities remain completely unregulated and offer no player protections. The government's position remains firm that all forms of gambling are illegal, and there are no indications of any plans to legalize or regulate online gambling in the future, as this would conflict with the country's Islamic legal framework.
Source:
https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/mauritania/
https://www.pplaaf.org/country/mauritania.html
Last updated: 18-09-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
