A Direct Blow to Online Betting
Puntland State has officially pulled the plug on 1XBET, the popular online betting platform that has become a contentious issue in the region. President Said Abdullahi Deni’s executive decree leaves no room for ambiguity: gambling on 1XBET is now illegal, and telecommunications companies are banned from facilitating accounts linked to the platform.
“1XBET betting and gambling services have been banned throughout Puntland State of Somalia. Telecommunications companies are duly obliged not to open private telephone number accounts for 1XBET services,” the decree stated.
The move comes amid growing concerns about the platform’s impact on Puntland’s youth and families, as well as its contribution to economic challenges.
Addressing Escalating Concerns
The decision follows heated warnings from MP Abdiqani Farah Dhaashane, who has been vocal about the harm caused by unregulated online gambling. According to Dhaashane, the lure of easy money has drawn countless young people into betting, with devastating ripple effects on households and the local economy.
“It has come to our attention that many young people are betting using the 1XBET app. This contributes to capital flight from Somalia and is also causing family breakdowns. Have telecommunications companies been asked what they could do about this issue?” he asked.
His words highlighted a growing public outcry, creating mounting pressure on Puntland’s leadership to act.
A Divisive Move
While some hail the ban as a necessary step to protect Puntland’s social and economic fabric, others are raising eyebrows over how it was implemented. An anonymous MP from Garowe questioned the presidency’s decision to bypass the Telecommunications Ministry, which would typically oversee such regulatory measures.
“The executive decree from the Puntland State Presidency is welcome but is seen as unprecedented. It was a matter for the Telecommunications Ministry of Puntland to issue a decree banning illegal online betting and gambling services in Puntland State. The presidency is usurping the power of the line ministry,” the MP told the Puntland Post.
The Bigger Picture
The ban on 1XBET, albeit being one of Africa’s leading betting sites and having won Operator of The Year Award at the National Gaming Conference 2023, represents more than just a policy shift—it’s a reflection of Puntland’s broader struggle to tackle unregulated online gambling and its social fallout. With this decisive action, President Deni aims to address deeper issues of addiction, economic drain, and family instability.
As Puntland adjusts to the ban, the focus will likely turn to how effectively the state can regulate the digital gambling space and whether this move will inspire similar actions elsewhere in Somalia. For now, the message is clear: Puntland is betting on a different future.
