Angola's ISJ strengthens regulatory cooperation with Primeira Aposta
Angola’s Gaming Supervision Institute (ISJ) has launched a new regulatory engagement initiative, ISJ in Dialogue, beginning with an institutional mission to gaming operator Primeira Aposta. The programme is intended to reinforce the regulator’s strategy of collaborative supervision and closer engagement with the sector.
The ISJ delegation was led by Director General Dr Nerethz Tati and included the Head of the Department for Support to the Director General and senior technicians from the Institute’s various departments. The team was received by Primeira Aposta Chairman of the Board Dr Hussein Aich, together with the company’s Board Members and Directors.
Opening the meeting, Tati said the new initiative represents a different approach to regulation and supervision, stating that “to regulate is also to listen; to supervise is also to understand”. She added that modern supervision is built through permanent dialogue with operators, promoting an environment of trust, transparency and shared responsibility.
Dialogue focused on compliance and operational standards
During the meeting, Primeira Aposta presented the development of its activities since 2020, the mechanisms it has implemented to strengthen compliance, and its strategy for the professionalisation of its mediation network.
The company also detailed its gradual transition to the Mediadores Express model, based on company-owned establishments. The company further highlighted its continued investment in the training of its mediators and the social responsibility initiatives it has been developing.
The ISJ used the meeting to recommend further standardisation of the appearance of authorised mediators. According to the regulator, making mediators more easily identifiable will improve transparency in gaming activities, help players distinguish authorised representatives and strengthen confidence in Angola’s regulated gambling market.
The regulator said the ISJ in Dialogue initiative forms part of its wider institutional strategy to strengthen the culture of compliance, encourage the adoption of good practices and consolidate an active cooperative relationship with operators, contributing to a gaming sector that is increasingly ethical, transparent and sustainable.
Latest step in Angola’s regulatory reforms
The launch of ISJ in Dialogue follows a series of regulatory measures introduced by the ISJ as Angola continues implementing the country’s new Gaming Activity Law.
The launch of ISJ in Dialogue comes shortly after the regulator introduced a phased compliance programme for social gaming intermediaries. Under the programme, operators must align their operations with the legal and regulatory requirements by 14 December 2026, with the measures presented during consultations with gaming operators.
According to the regulator, the phased approach gives operators time to implement the necessary operational and regulatory changes while focusing on priority compliance measures during the transition period. The ISJ added that it would continue monitoring the implementation process while providing institutional support.
The ISJ also used the consultations to reinforce measures aimed at strengthening sector integrity. It reminded operators of their obligation to prevent minors from entering gambling establishments under Angola’s Gaming Activity Law and said social gaming intermediaries must operate only from fixed establishments that are properly identified and authorised.
The regulator further reinforced existing requirements governing advertising and gaming operations, including maintaining a minimum distance of 1,000 metres from schools, hospitals and institutions representing state bodies.
Broader oversight and licensing framework
The ISJ has also recently introduced a 30 working day transitional licensing window for eligible gambling operators while the remaining provisions of Angola’s new licensing framework are implemented.
The temporary regime allows qualifying operators to continue providing services lawfully while applications are processed through the Angola Gaming Supervision System. According to the regulator, the digital platform is intended to standardise applications, improve regulatory oversight and provide greater legal certainty during the transition to the new licensing framework.
Angola introduced its Gaming Activity Law in late 2024, replacing the previous gambling legislation with a revised regulatory framework. Among its key provisions are gambling licences of up to 10 years, together with stronger anti-money laundering requirements, enhanced player protection measures, increased regulatory oversight and digital licensing procedures.
In addition to the licensing reforms, the regulator has strengthened its enforcement activities against illegal gambling. This has included supervising the destruction of 182 unlicensed slot machines seized during Operation Rescue in Cabinda Province and warning investors that gaming licences, as administrative acts granted exclusively by the State, cannot be sold or transferred outside the legal framework.
Continuing engagement with operators
The latest meeting with Primeira Aposta also builds on previous engagement between the regulator and the operator. In May 2025, the ISJ held a working meeting with Primeira Aposta at the Institute’s headquarters, where the company presented its international operations, software development capabilities and expansion strategy in Angola. At the time, Primeira Aposta said it operated approximately 3,414 agents, 31 stores and 153 express agents across several provinces, including Luanda, Benguela, Huambo, Cabinda and Huíla.
During that meeting, the operator also expressed its interest in working with the ISJ on social development projects and responsible gambling initiatives.
With the launch of ISJ in Dialogue, the regulator is formalising that engagement through a structured programme intended to strengthen regulatory cooperation with licensed operators while supporting compliance, transparency and the continued implementation of Angola’s evolving gambling framework.
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