Casinos in Cameroon

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Introduction

Cameroon is sometimes known as "Africa in Miniature" because of its geography, climate, and culture pulling in a little bit of almost every other country on the continent. It is the largest economy in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). Interest in Cameroon as an investment and tourism center is only increasing even as the country faces challenges such as a fragile economy and regional conflicts.

Cameroon Overview

Cameroon is located in Central Africa and shares borders with Nigeria to the west, Chad to the northeast, and various other countries to the south and east. The population exceeds 26 million which includes more than 250 distinct ethnic groups. The official languages are French and English, which doesn’t hurt Cameroon’s appeal as a contender for an influx of investment.

The economy has not completely recovered from the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns or the ongoing war in Ukraine. Higher oil prices have weighed down the economy to date but the picture is not all doom and gloom. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects real GDP growth will hit 4.3 percent in 2024, which is much better than most already developed nations like the US.

Cameroon’s National Development Strategy for 2030 (NDS30) looks to create a nurturing or at least an incubating environment for investments. The plan is focused mostly on infrastructure development, local production, and leveraging technology to increase growth and to continue rounding out the employment numbers.

Economic Investment Opportunities

Despite pitfalls and speedbumps, Cameroon remains optimistic with significant investments being made in infrastructure, agriculture, and renewable energy projects. The government has introduced policies to encourage domestic employment and reduce reliance on foreign labor, while also expanding investment incentives in important verticals. However, the economy remains fragile, burdened by high debt, government weaknesses, and social and political risks.

Cameroon's economic recovery is also supported by initiatives from the IMF through the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and Extended Fund Facility (EFF). These programs help address macroeconomics, such as inflation and the effects of reduced fuel subsidies. The government recently reduced fuel subsidies which shows confidence in the economy's ability to absorb price increases.

Gambling in Cameroon

Gambling in Cameroon is legal and regulated by the government, with a minimum gambling age of 18. The gaming industry is growing with a focus on casinos that offer both entertainment and investment opportunities for international business people. While many small gambling houses exist throughout the country, the most important changes are in larger modernized casinos that attract not only locals but tourists as well.

Major Casinos

Grand Palace Casino, Douala

The Grand Palace Casino in Douala opened in October 2023 and is now a ig part of Cameroon’s gambling ecosphere. Located in the country's largest city and economic center, this modern casino has cutting-edge gaming tech from Bulgarian manufacturer EGT.

The Grand Palace Casino offers a variety of gaming experiences, with 60 slot cabinets, including the popular G 27-27 St, G 32-32 VIP, and other models. The gaming center has multigame cabinets from the Premier and Collection Series, alongside the Premium Link and Lady’s Cards jackpots. Bring the Bell Link and General Series mixes is an important development for Cameroon gambling and offers the operator greater chance to attract more and different types of players.

The venue also features EGT’s Premier Automated Roulette. The facility's operations are run with EGT’s Spider casino management system making it easier for the operators to keep things running efficiently and to offer players personalized bonusing programs.

Treasure Hunter Douala

Another popular gaming spot is Treasure Hunter Casino in Douala’s Akwa area, on one of the city's busiest streets. The casino is known for its hopping atmosphere and inclusive amenities. The gambling venue opened in 2005.

Leisure World Holdings mentions that the operation has 9 gaming tables that have been in play for about two decades. It started out as Douala’s best slot hall, but more recently transformed into a full casino property. Players can enjoy the sounds of the slot machines, a room in privacy, and enjoy weekend buffets and a river of free-flowing drinks.

Look for live table games like American Roulette, Racetrack (French Roulette), Blackjack, Oasis Stud Poker, and Ultimate Texas Hold’em. Its location on Boulevard de Liberté in Douala’s business district guarantees plenty of footfall and loads of churn for the slot machines.

Casino Struggles and Closures

While a small handful of Cameroonian casinos have succeeded through hard times and good times, that’s not the case for several other properties. It appears as if the Douala Casino at Pullman Rabingha and the Hilton Hotel Yaoundé Casino have both been shut down. The precise reasons are unclear, but they might simply reflect market changes, increased competition, and strategic shifts by operators. The closures have opened up opportunities for newer casinos like the Grand Palace to establish themselves in the market. It’s unclear just when these properties closed or whether the closures were COVID-related.

At one point there seem to have been several Olympic Gaming properties in the country including a larger hall in the Centreville commercial district, but we haven’t been able to locate any that are currently operating.

Investment Potential in Cameroon’s Casino Industry

Cameroon’s casino industry is still young but it seems to have a lot of growth potential. The government's regulatory framework allows and supports legal gambling, and with the country being a relative regional economic powerhouse the market would appear to be ripe for investment

Investment potential in Cameroon isn’t restricted to the casino industry. The fact that it acts as a doorway or gateway to Central African nations without access to seaports puts it in a good position to attract international investments.

However…

Governmental and political risks as well as deficits in a solid infrastructure system might stifle any major influx of funds until some of those issues are worked out.

Conclusion

Cameroon’s casino industry is quite small but it could be ripe and ready for growth as the economic recovery continues and the government focuses on modernization and infrastructure competence. The Grand Palace Casino and Treasure Hunter Casino are state-of-the-industry properties that have moved well into the modern world of gambling and can be enjoyed by well-heeled locals and visiting tourists and business people. If the country keeps putting effort into developing the infrastructure and other elements that create a welcoming investment climate and provide support such as regulatory guarantees, the casinos of Cameroon could play an important part in Cameroon’s future economy.