Casinos in Benin

Skip To The List of Casinos

Introduction

As of 2024, Benin may not be a place you would want to travel to for gambling or anything else due to the security situation there. There are still at least half a dozen gambling halls and there was at least one full-service casino, but the casino seems to have shuttered its doors just before the pandemic.

In this article, we'll take a look at the country and its history as well as the security situation there and then explore a little bit about the history of gambling in Benin, its legal framework, former and possible current gaming spots, and the games you would find there.

For now, let’s look at…

The Country of Benin

Benin is located in West Africa and is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, and Burkina Faso and Niger to the north. The country has some incredible historical and tourist spots, from the ancient Kingdom of Dahomey to the national parks. No matter how strong the allure to visit such a unique and historically rich country, tourism has taken a hit due to security issues, especially near its northern borders.

Security Situation

According to the US Department of State, Benin is looking down the barrel of threats from banditry, criminal organizations, and terrorist groups, especially near its borders with Burkina Faso and Niger. These areas see attacks that come with little to no warning, targeting places tourists would normally feel safe such as markets, hotels, restaurants, and almost any other busy spots. Violent attacks tend to be more common in the northern parts of the country but crimes, including robbery and assault, can also happen in urban areas and crowded markets anywhere in the country.

If you are still considering a visit to Benin please read your country’s embassy or other pages or visit the US Department of State to find any current travel warnings.

History of Gambling

Gambling in Benin took off in the late 1990s. The most well-known casino was located in the Benin Marina Hotel, which had a handful of gaming tables and a few slot machines. The hotel also featured a nightclub, a karaoke bar, and other entertainment options. However, both the hotel website and the casino itself seem to have shut down.

Lydia Ludic, a well-known gaming brand across Africa and even in South America, operates several gaming parlors in Benin. These halls offered a mix of electronic table games, slots, and bingo.

Lydia Ludic

The Lydia Ludic brand was active in over 100 cities across nine countries, with entertainment offered at potentially hundreds of gaming venues. According to existing digital media written by the company, the countries of operation include or included locations in Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Côte d'Ivoire, Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Togo, and even Paraguay.

Lydia Ludic Benin offers at least half a dozen and perhaps as many as 20 game rooms and playrooms across the country. The company runs a constant stream of promotions as well as contests and jackpot games. Many of the establishments are in nice restaurants and bars while others appear to be simply installed in any usable, available building where players may want to congregate. The latter mostly describes some of the mini-salons in places like Tokan, Adjagbo, and Kpondehou.

Game rooms and play rooms

• The Star Room
• Salle Etoile, located at the Rouge Star Square intersection

Bar restaurant partners: The upscale le Kirikou restaurant and bar in Fidjrossè, and the bar La Brasserie in Cotonou, a restaurant and bar with good reviews on the internet.

Mini-Salons in Akassato, Agblangandan, Tokan, Adjagbo, Kpondehou, and perhaps elsewhere.

Legislation and Jurisdiction

Gambling in Benin is regulated by the Ministry of Finance, with the Gaming and Lottery Act governing casinos and lotteries. The National Lottery of Benin has dominated the gambling market, but private operators have been allowed to set up too. Enforcement seems to be sporadic either due to corruption or simply the difficulty of policing unlicensed operations in rural areas.

There’s also work to be done in meeting international standards to combat money laundering and terrorism financing, though the government has shown some commitment to improving regulation. Casinos, since they are low-volume businesses here do not currently seem to be a major concern.

According to the FATF cohort, The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering (GIABA), money laundering can be quite sophisticated and any ancillary businesses could be exploited.

Money laundering in Benin can occur through the banking system and money service businesses. Other methods may include real estate purchases, bulk cash smuggling, trade-based schemes, and the use of shell companies. Benin has been identified in the past as a hub for laundering money for terrorist groups, usually because it is a major hub for re-exporting throughout Africa.

This points out the weaknesses in Benin’s financial and trade systems that have been exploited for money laundering and other criminal activity in the past.

Conclusion

Gambling in Benin has seen better days but there is still at least one brand in operation today. But with security concerns and the potential for money laundering, the future of casinos in the country is unclear. While the legal framework may be in place, the industry and perhaps the government will have to go through major changes before Benin can become a viable gambling destination for visitors again.

Lydia Ludic seems to have not only survived in Benin but also may have filled the vacuum left when gaming operators all across Africa succumbed to the financial strain of the pandemic-era shutdowns. Perhaps hundreds of casinos and casino resorts in faraway places with unique experiences to offer simply crumbled under the financial strain. And while many governments have increased investment in tourism to rebuild their economies, very few have focused on the casino component of the tourist trade. Perhaps as stability returns and the sector itself begins to grow rapidly again, authorities will see the value in augmenting basic revenues with the supercharge gambling money can provide. Of course, AML/CFT concerns will weigh heavily on those decisions.