Rabat- What do you think of when you think of Morocco? The winding alleys of Fes, the dramatic peaks of Taza-Al Hoceima Taounate, or perhaps the bustle of Marrakech? Morocco is indeed a wonderful nation, though gambling would perhaps not spring to mind as an activity tolerated in our Islamic nation. The fact exists however; gambling is very much legal in Morocco, and despite being a small industry when compared to international gambling industries, gambling is an area poised for growth and prosperity.
Morocco’s first casino opened in 1952 in Marrakech. The Casino de Marrakech, located within the Es Saadi Hotel, is stately, stylish and exudes grandeur; this place is a must- visit for anyone unfamiliar with the casino’s host city. Following independence in 1956, the traditional brick and mortar casino took off in Morocco, with the Casino de Marrakech joined by premier casinos such as Le Grand Casino La Mamounia and the Mazagan Resort and Casino in Casablanca.
There has never been any true gambling legislation in Morocco, with the only restrictive laws being confined to reducing the number of events that can be bet upon by individuals. Casinos are completely legal, and even if they weren’t, these flashy and lucrative places are largely run as a form of entertainment for the seven and a half million foreign tourists that visit Morocco every year. As a result, gambling activities that cater for the population are largely confined to lotteries and betting on sports. Online gambling has begun to experience growth, however.
The nascent online gambling industry in Morocco is gradually picking up steam. Since 2009, when two internet based, state controlled, national sports lottery services were launched, online gambling has steadily grown. Sites such as VivaroBet and www.casinosagafans.com, which recently began accepting trade from Moroccans, have seen excellent increases in their profits and numbers of users, with aims to cater for a populace for whom the legalisation of commercial betting is likely to occur very soon.
At present, over 470 individual sports betting sites and online casino sites allow Moroccan players to indulge and kick back on their websites; if such activities were made legal by the government, perhaps these profits could ingratiate and bring added prosperity to entrepreneurial Moroccans? Though it is indeed true that many Islamic citizens would be uninterested in such a prospect, many secular or non-Islamic individuals would likely enjoy the prospect of legalisation.