The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has ordered all licensed and active gambling operators to register with the government by 31 July as part of a major effort to strengthen regulation of the sector. The Ministry of Finance said the exercise will improve oversight, support tax administration, and prepare the industry for a new national regulatory framework currently under consideration in Parliament, as reported by bankable.
Registration drive targets all gambling operators
The directive applies to companies involved in sports betting, casinos, lotteries, prediction games, and other gambling activities. Operators must complete an official identification form and submit it electronically before the deadline.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the registration process is intended to make the gaming industry more accountable and transparent. Under current law, businesses that miss the deadline may be subject to an administrative penalty and other penalties. The nation’s uniform invoicing requirement will not apply to operators who are already connected to the national regulatory platform.
CSJA leads transition to new regulator
The registration programme is being managed by the Gambling and Games of Chance Supervision Unit (CSJA), which is serving as the country’s interim gambling regulator.
The CSJA was established in January 2026 to oversee the gambling sector while the government works towards creating the Gambling Regulatory Authority (ARJA). The proposed legal framework has already received approval from the Council of Ministers and is currently being reviewed by Parliament.
Representatives from the Ministry of Portfolio, the National Lottery Company (SONAL), the Central Bank of the Congo (BCC), the Regulatory Authority for Posts and Telecommunications of the Congo (ARPTC), and national security agencies make up the interim board. These organisations are working together to coordinate the shift to a single regulatory framework.
Digital monitoring platform rolled out
Alongside the registration exercise, the Ministry of Finance is introducing a nationwide digital supervision platform to monitor gambling operations.
Authorities expect the first phase of implementation to finish by 30 August 2026. The platform is being introduced with support from a technical partner selected through the country’s public procurement process. Integration has already been completed for most electronic money institutions, while gambling operators are being connected according to the implementation schedule set by the CSJA.
Ministry warns against unauthorised agreements
The Ministry of Finance has also warned gambling businesses not to enter agreements with government bodies that have not received approval from the Council of Ministers.
According to the official communication, only projects and partnerships authorised under the government’s gambling reform programme will be recognised as legally valid. The measure is intended to ensure that all sector reforms follow a single national framework during the transition period.
Part of wider gambling reforms
The latest directive forms part of a broader effort to modernise the DRC’s gambling industry. Earlier this year, the government launched reforms to improve supervision, strengthen compliance and increase transparency across the sector.
Along with improving revenue collection from the nation’s growing gambling industry, the revisions aim to give licensed businesses a clearer regulatory environment. The interim arrangements now overseen by the CSJA are anticipated to be replaced by the new Gambling Regulatory Authority once it is constituted as the nation’s permanent regulator.
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