Poker is legal in Madagascar through licensed land-based casinos that offer popular games including roulette, poker, and other table games. Gambling was first legalized in Madagascar in 1971, and by 2022, the government began modernizing legislation to permit licensed land-based casino operators to also offer online gaming services. However, the Ministry of the Interior and Decentralization oversees licensing and regulation, though no single licensing framework exists specifically for purely digital operators (1).
The online gambling landscape in Madagascar remains complicated due to mixed regulations and unclear legal standing. In 2016, licensing of new online casinos was temporarily suspended and only resumed in 2017. Based on Madagascar laws, only licensed iGaming operators can legally offer services in the country, though offshore gambling sites are not blocked and players typically access them without prosecution, despite this activity being technically illegal (2).
"Gambling was first legalised in Madagascar in 1971, but it wasn't until 2022 that the government really began modernising its legislation, permitting license holders with land-based casinos to also offer games online."
Players in Madagascar can access various poker formats including casino poker games like Caribbean Stud and Three Card Poker, as well as video poker variations. The regulatory framework remains fragmented with no comprehensive online gambling legislation currently in place. Players who choose to use offshore poker sites do so at their own risk, though authorities do not actively prosecute individuals for accessing international platforms (2).
Source:
https://www.igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulation-in-madagascar/
https://online.worldcasinodirectory.com/madagascar
Last updated: 04-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
