Rwanda awards gambling licences to Betway, ElephantBet, ForteBet
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB), through its National Lottery & Gambling Commission (NLGC), has officially awarded gambling licences to Betway, ElephantBet and ForteBet following a competitive licensing and evaluation process.
The licences were announced on 15 July, with the RDB stating that the process was designed to identify operators that meet strict technical, regulatory and responsible gambling requirements.
Under the approvals, Betway has been licensed to offer Online Sports Betting and Online Casino services, ElephantBet has received a licence for Online Sports Betting, while ForteBet has been authorised to operate both Online Sports Betting and Online Casino services.
In a post on X, the RDB said: “Today, RDB, through its National Lottery & Gambling Commission (NLGC), officially issued gambling licenses to Betway (Online Sports Betting and Online Casino), ElephantBet (Online Sports Betting), and ForteBet (Online Sports Betting and Online Casino), after a thorough, competitive licensing and evaluation process.”
The Board added: “This marks a major milestone in establishing a regulated and responsible gambling industry in Rwanda.”
Licensing follows regulatory review
The latest licensing exercise follows Rwanda’s review of its gambling framework. In June 2024, the country suspended the licensing of new and existing gambling operators to allow what authorities described as a “thorough review and redesign” of the regulatory framework. The review followed concerns over weak regulatory enforcement, underreporting of earnings and rising gambling addiction.
While a new legal framework is still being finalised, the sector currently operates under the 2024 Gambling Policy together with existing gambling laws introduced in 2011 and 2013.
According to the RDB, the licensing process was designed to attract operators capable of meeting strict technical, regulatory and responsible gambling requirements. The regulator said the framework is intended to promote responsible gambling, strengthen consumer protection and guarantee compliance with national laws and international standards.
The RDB also said the regulated market is expected to generate government revenue through licensing fees and taxes while supporting employment and investment in Rwanda’s digital economy.
Tax reforms introduced alongside licensing
A tax structure amendment was one of the most recent changes to Rwanda’s gambling sector. In May 2025, Parliament adopted the amended tax framework, which increased the gaming tax rate from 13 per cent to 40 per cent and raised the withholding tax on player profits from 15 per cent to 25 per cent.
The government has said gambling and lottery proceeds are used to support national development, with part of the revenue directed to the Ministry of Sports to support athletes and professional sports programmes.
Alongside the tax changes, the RDB is also introducing a Centralised Monitoring System (CMS). According to the regulator, the system will provide authorities with real-time access to betting activity, reduce reliance on operator-reported figures and support efforts to curb illegal gambling practices.
Compliance and lottery changes
Separately, Choplife Gaming, the operator of betPawa, recently announced the “precautionary decision” to suspend its online casino and deposit-taking services following a routine audit by the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA). The audit identified outstanding disputes over the interpretation of withholding tax on player winnings and the deductibility of technology costs.
Rwanda has also made changes to the operation of its National Lottery. Earlier last year, in October, the RDB revoked the licence of Inzozi Lotto, operated by Carousel Ltd., citing failures to meet contractual obligations. Authorities subsequently launched a competitive bidding process to appoint a new operator.
In April 2026, Rwanda’s Cabinet approved the National Lottery Operating Agreement with Moja Rwanda Limited. The agreement was signed a month later in Kigali by RDB Chief Executive Officer Jean-Guy Afrika and Georges Boukazi, Managing Director of Moja Group Inc., under which Moja Rwanda Ltd. will manage and operate the National Lottery for the next 10 years.
Introduced in 2021, Rwanda’s National Lottery directs proceeds to the Ministry of Sports under the country’s Sports Development Policy as well as community and public welfare programmes.
Broader reforms continue
The latest licences follow a series of regulatory initiatives introduced by the RDB in recent months. In June, the RDB hosted its first Gambling Industry Engagement Forum, bringing together licensed operators, regulators and industry stakeholders to discuss the implementation of the 2024 Gambling Policy.
The meeting, chaired by RDB Chief Executive Officer Jean-Guy Afrika, focused on compliance, responsible gambling and digital transformation. Jean-Guy Afrika said long-term success in the gambling industry depends on balancing commercial growth with social responsibility, while stronger compliance measures, responsible gambling initiatives and digital transformation are needed to build a trusted and well-regulated market.
The RDB also said continued engagement with operators would remain part of its regulatory approach as it refines licensing procedures for both online and land-based gambling businesses.
The licensing of Betway, ElephantBet and ForteBet is the latest step in Rwanda’s ongoing programme of gambling reforms, which have included regulatory changes, tax measures, enhanced oversight and the appointment of a new National Lottery operator.
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