The Gambia as part of its strategy to encourage innovative companies in software and Gaming to set up operations in the Enterprise Zone of The Gambia has set up a Gaming incubator in the Enterprise Zone.

This will allow companies and entrepreneurs from all over the world who have innovative ideas in Gaming to come to The Gambia and develop their ideas and business plans in a controlled managed environment. It is the aim of the Registry to maintain the confidence and integrity of the Gaming industry by supervising the operations of all licence holders so that confidence can be maintained.

The Gaming licence regime in the Enterprise Zone allows new companies to obtain a licence and to operate and provide services on a global basis.

Managed Gaming Regime

Corporate entities wishing to obtain an Gaming Licence are requested to apply for a Provisional Licence enabling them to start the process of obtaining a full licence to operate a Gaming company.

The provisional licence is designed to allow ventures to put in place the infrastructure for Gaming operations, and raise capital from prospective investors to support the business plan once the full licence has been issued. The provisional licence does not allow the newly incorporated Gaming company to begin actively trading.

Provisional Gaming Licence holder may only begin actively trading if they are able to operate under the aegis of an existing Gaming Company with a full licence who is willing to act as a Principal to the provisional Gaming Company.

Once the provisional licence is issued the Provisional Gaming Company the entity has 6 months to fulfil a number of obligations before it may apply for a full licence. The obligations include:

• An experienced board of directors to be appointed
• Detailed Business Plan including service provisions and planned capital activities
• Documented Risk Management, Data management and Compliance procedures
• Evidence of access to sufficient capital to support the business plan.
• Implementation of approved Gaming Software and infrastructure.

Once these obligations have been met, the Gaming Company may apply for a full Gaming Licence.

The Gaming Company Licence will permit holder to conduct the activities below in the Enterprise Zone of The Gambia, and subject to international regulations in other countries where the Gaming operation has been authorised.

• To conduct Gaming and business
• To provide services related to Gaming.

Process

• A provisional application form and fee is received.
• This is accompanied by a preliminary business plan and C.V of at least one of the nominated members of the Gaming Company board.
• A review is undertaken
• If approved a Provisional Licence is Issued

Within 6 Months

• A detailed business plan for the Gaming Company based on the activities highlighted to be provided
• A Board of Directors is to be appointed and CV’s of all the directors must be submitted
• All documentation, process management, customer data management to be supplied
• Implementation of Gaming Company Software (Approved Software and Hosting available upon request)
• Payment of Licence Upgrade Fee
• Asset availability evidence to be provided
• Full Gaming Companying Licence Issued
• The entire process takes typically 1 month.
• Regular submission of activity reports to the Registry for 12 month as part of Compliance requirements.