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Sovereign state
Africa
ISO AO

Angola: gambling regulation and licensing

  • Online sports bettingRegulated
  • Online casinoRegulated
  • Lottery and iLotteryMonopoly
  • Land-based (reference)Regulated
Regulator
Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos
Headline tax
20% GGR
Licence required
Yes
Last verified
23 Sept 2026

Summary

Angola licenses all forms of gambling, online included, under Law 17/24, the Gaming Activity Law in force since 28 October 2024, which replaced Law 5/16. The Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos (ISJ), a public institute under the Ministry of Finance, regulates, licenses and supervises the sector. Online casino games and online sports betting have been licensed since 2020 under Presidential Decree 131/20, to Angolan companies with a .ao website, an Angolan bank account in kwanzas and their registration infrastructure in the country; the ISJ register shows four online licences valid beyond September 2026. Casinos hold ISJ licences, and the national lottery, totobola and totoloto are an exclusive concession awarded by tender in 2024 to Mota Tavares & Jogos, S.A. The Special Gaming Tax is written into the Law: 20% of online gross revenue, meaning stakes less prizes; 18% of casino gross revenue plus 1.1% or 2.2% of each table's opening capital; 20% on fixed-odds betting; and 10% to 15% on prizes above a tax-free threshold, withheld by the operator. No other tax applies to gaming revenue. Advertising needs prior ISJ authorisation and may not run between 07:00 and 22:00. The Law moves licensing to public tenders, with online licences of five or ten years for public limited companies, but its implementing regulation is still being drafted. Under a June 2026 circular, existing operators continue on provisional titles until the tenders are concluded. The ISJ collected Kz 28.19 billion in taxes and fees in 2025, 60% more than in 2024. Angola has been on the FATF list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring since October 2024, and the ISJ rates the sector's money laundering risk as high.

Common pitfalls

Quoting the old casino rates of 45% or 25%: Law 17/24 sets 18% of gross revenue plus a working-capital component. Reading the ISJ's collection figures as gross gaming revenue: they are tax and fee receipts. Treating the register's active list as complete: licences that expired during the transition remain provisionally valid under Circular 02/2026. Applying Decree 131/20's licence terms to new licences: the 2024 Law requires a public limited company and sets five or ten years. Assuming a licence can be bought: the ISJ says licences are not transferable assets and entry is by tender or by an approved share purchase.

Key facts

Regulator
Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos (ISJ)
Regulator type
Dedicated regulator
Headline tax
20% GGR
Licence required
Yes
Minimum age
18+
Tax base
Imposto Especial de Jogos (Special Gaming Tax) on gross revenue, defined as stakes less prizes paid (Lei n.º 17/24, arts. 3(hh) and 93). Online games: 20% of gross revenue (art. 99). Banked casino games and slot machines: 1.1% (single tables) or 2.2% (double tables) of opening working capital plus 18% of gross revenue (art. 96). Non-banked casino games, bingo and quino: 20% of points and commissions (art. 97). Land-based social games: 20% on fixed-odds sports and animal betting, 10% on promotional draws, raffles and contests, 10% on other bets (art. 98). The headline 20% is the online rate. A separate tax applies to prizes (art. 100).

How to get a gambling licence in Angola

The regulator is Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos (ISJ).

We record 5 licence types for Angola.

For the Online games and betting licence (jogos e apostas online), the application fee is AOA 7,000,000 (as of 15 Feb 2022).

Applications
Closed at present
Local presence
A local company or establishment is required; servers must be located locally; sites must use a .ao domain.
Financial guarantee
Bank guarantee in favour of the ISJ with an Angolan bank (Instrutivo n.º 1/24, art. 3): Kz 25 million each for online sports betting and online games of chance; Kz 50 million for a casino room plus Kz 25 million per extra room; Kz 10 million for a slot hall plus Kz 3 million per extra hall; Kz 200 million or Kz 400 million for land-based sports betting (annual gross revenue below or above Kz 2 billion); Kz 2.5 billion for the lottery concessionaire. Presidential Decree 131/20, art. 19 also requires online licensees to lodge guarantees of 20% of the investment (player balances and fines) and 10% of the investment (online Special Gaming Tax).
Headline tax
20% GGR (see Taxation for the full position)

Licence fees in Angola

Licence typeApplication feeAnnual feeTerm
Online games and betting licence (jogos e apostas online)Issue fee of Kz 7,000,000 for a general online games of chance licence or a singular online sports betting licence, plus Kz 2,000,000 for each other online game type; supervision fee of Kz 1,500,000, paid quarterly; system homologation Kz 1,000,000; registration Kz 500,000 (Presidential Decree 50/22, annex items 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 22 and 23). Special Gaming Tax of 20% of online gross revenue and 15% on prizes (Lei n.º 17/24, arts. 99 and 100).AOA 7,000,000 (as of 15 Feb 2022)Not yet verified10 years within the exclusive regime, 5 years outside it (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 69(4) and (5)); licences issued under Decree 131/20 run 10 years, renewable for 3-year periods (art. 21)
Casino games licence (jogos de fortuna ou azar de base territorial)General licence Kz 10,000,000; singular licences Kz 5,000,000 each for banked games and for slot machines; supervision Kz 1,500,000 per mixed room or Kz 500,000 per single room, paid quarterly (Presidential Decree 50/22, annex). Special Gaming Tax of 18% of gross revenue plus 1.1% or 2.2% of opening capital (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 96).AOA 10,000,000 (as of 15 Feb 2022)Not yet verified10 years, extendable (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 31)
Land-based fixed-odds sports and animal betting licenceSingular licence Kz 20,000,000; supervision Kz 4,500,000, paid quarterly; point-of-sale and agent authorisations Kz 500,000 (Presidential Decree 50/22, annex items 5, 14 and 21). Special Gaming Tax of 20% of gross revenue and 15% on prizes (Lei n.º 17/24, arts. 98 and 100).AOA 20,000,000 (as of 15 Feb 2022)Not yet verifiedNot yet verified
National lottery, totobola and totoloto concessionConcession premium set by regulation (art. 53) and an administrative fee on gross revenue (art. 108(2)) shared under Presidential Decree 118/26; the concessionaire is not subject to the Special Gaming Tax (art. 94(2)). Supervision fee Kz 8,000,000 (Presidential Decree 50/22, annex item 20).Not yet verifiedAOA 8,000,000 (as of 15 Feb 2022)10 to 30 years (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 65)
Authorisation for promotional draws, raffles and contestsKz 1,500,000 per occasional or temporary game authorisation (Presidential Decree 50/22, annex item 11); 10% tax on prizes (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 100(1)(d)).AOA 1,500,000 (as of 15 Feb 2022)Not yet verifiedNot yet verified

Built from the record on this page, last verified 23 Sept 2026. The Licensing and Taxation sections carry the full detail and sources.

Licensing

Licence required
Yes
Application window
Closed
Local establishment required
Yes
Local server required
Yes
Local domain required
.ao
Active licences
12 (as of 23 Sept 2026)
Bank guarantee or bond
Bank guarantee in favour of the ISJ with an Angolan bank (Instrutivo n.º 1/24, art. 3): Kz 25 million each for online sports betting and online games of chance; Kz 50 million for a casino room plus Kz 25 million per extra room; Kz 10 million for a slot hall plus Kz 3 million per extra hall; Kz 200 million or Kz 400 million for land-based sports betting (annual gross revenue below or above Kz 2 billion); Kz 2.5 billion for the lottery concessionaire. Presidential Decree 131/20, art. 19 also requires online licensees to lodge guarantees of 20% of the investment (player balances and fines) and 10% of the investment (online Special Gaming Tax).
Notable licensees
Primeira Aposta (Premier Bet), Mota, Tavares & Barros (Elephante Bet), Bantubet (Bantu Bet), KwanzaBet, Bet 244, ACK Games, Casino Holiday, Golden Dragon Casino, Mota Tavares & Jogos (lottery concessionaire)
Certification requirements
Gaming systems must be homologated by the ISJ (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 83) and run through a Central Gaming Unit that records every operation, keeps a replica and gives the ISJ secure, real-time access (art. 85). Online platforms, internet access and banking platforms must first be certified by the ministry responsible for telecommunications and information technology; security controls must follow ISO 27001; games of chance must use a certified random number generator (Presidential Decree 131/20, arts. 32, 33 and 35). Homologation fee Kz 1,000,000 (Presidential Decree 50/22).
Barriers to entry
New licences and concessions are awarded only by public tender opened by the Ministry of Finance, and none had been launched by September 2026; the ISJ's 2026 plan sets launching one for casino, social and online licences as a goal. Applicants must be Angolan-seated companies with gaming as their exclusive object, collegiate management, registered shares and identified beneficial owners; shareholders must be nationals or resident foreigners unless the Private Investment Law provides otherwise and may not hold offshore bank accounts (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 11). Licences cannot be bought or sold; the ISJ warned on 24 June 2026 that entry through an existing licensee is only by buying shares, and holdings of 10% or more need its prior approval. The market is concentrated: Primeira Aposta ran 168 of the 257 betting shops in Q4 2025. The register's active list shows 12 licences valid beyond 23 September 2026 (4 online, 8 land-based); licences that expired during the transition stay provisionally valid under Circular 02/2026.

Licence types

  • Online games and betting licence (jogos e apostas online)

    Scope
    Online sports, horse and mutual betting and listed online games of chance (Presidential Decree 131/20, arts. 6 and 13). Under Lei n.º 17/24, art. 69 new licences go to sociedades anónimas, by tender outside the exclusive regime; online fixed-odds betting only to entities awarded that right under art. 51(2).
    Term
    10 years within the exclusive regime, 5 years outside it (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 69(4) and (5)); licences issued under Decree 131/20 run 10 years, renewable for 3-year periods (art. 21)
    Application fee
    AOA 7,000,000 as of 15 Feb 2022
    Fee basis
    Issue fee of Kz 7,000,000 for a general online games of chance licence or a singular online sports betting licence, plus Kz 2,000,000 for each other online game type; supervision fee of Kz 1,500,000, paid quarterly; system homologation Kz 1,000,000; registration Kz 500,000 (Presidential Decree 50/22, annex items 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 22 and 23). Special Gaming Tax of 20% of online gross revenue and 15% on prizes (Lei n.º 17/24, arts. 99 and 100).
    Renewal terms
    Under Decree 131/20 renewal must be requested 90 days before expiry and requires tax compliance, continued suitability, the fee and no outstanding fines (art. 21). Under Circular 02/2026 expiring licences stay provisionally valid until the tender for the modality is concluded.
  • Casino games licence (jogos de fortuna ou azar de base territorial)

    Scope
    Casinos and gaming rooms in gaming zones, awarded by public tender to a sociedade anónima, with possible geographic exclusivity (Lei n.º 17/24, arts. 25 to 28). Minimum opening capital of Kz 500,000 per table (Kz 1,000,000 in VIP rooms) and Kz 100,000 per machine (Kz 250,000 in VIP rooms) (art. 96).
    Term
    10 years, extendable (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 31)
    Application fee
    AOA 10,000,000 as of 15 Feb 2022
    Fee basis
    General licence Kz 10,000,000; singular licences Kz 5,000,000 each for banked games and for slot machines; supervision Kz 1,500,000 per mixed room or Kz 500,000 per single room, paid quarterly (Presidential Decree 50/22, annex). Special Gaming Tax of 18% of gross revenue plus 1.1% or 2.2% of opening capital (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 96).
    Renewal terms
    Extension by agreement with the Executive in the public interest where the operator has met its obligations (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 31(2)).
  • Land-based fixed-odds sports and animal betting licence

    Scope
    Fixed-odds betting on sport, horse and other animal races, licensed by public tender to an entity whose exclusive object is social games (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 51(2) and (4)).
    Application fee
    AOA 20,000,000 as of 15 Feb 2022
    Fee basis
    Singular licence Kz 20,000,000; supervision Kz 4,500,000, paid quarterly; point-of-sale and agent authorisations Kz 500,000 (Presidential Decree 50/22, annex items 5, 14 and 21). Special Gaming Tax of 20% of gross revenue and 15% on prizes (Lei n.º 17/24, arts. 98 and 100).
  • National lottery, totobola and totoloto concession

    Scope
    Exclusive national concession, including sales through a multichannel electronic platform and the internet (Lei n.º 17/24, arts. 51(1) and 55). Awarded to Mota Tavares & Jogos, S.A. after a tender opened by Presidential Order 143/23; the ISJ announced the result on 28 May 2024.
    Term
    10 to 30 years (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 65)
    Annual fee
    AOA 8,000,000 as of 15 Feb 2022
    Fee basis
    Concession premium set by regulation (art. 53) and an administrative fee on gross revenue (art. 108(2)) shared under Presidential Decree 118/26; the concessionaire is not subject to the Special Gaming Tax (art. 94(2)). Supervision fee Kz 8,000,000 (Presidential Decree 50/22, annex item 20).
    Renewal terms
    Extendable in the public interest (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 65).
  • Authorisation for promotional draws, raffles and contests

    Scope
    Random combinations for promotional purposes, raffles, temporary contests and skill games with prizes, by any public or private entity (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 51(3)). Requests go through the Sistema de Supervisão de Jogos at least 30 days before the activity is announced or starts.
    Application fee
    AOA 1,500,000 as of 15 Feb 2022
    Fee basis
    Kz 1,500,000 per occasional or temporary game authorisation (Presidential Decree 50/22, annex item 11); 10% tax on prizes (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 100(1)(d)).

Taxation

Headline GGR tax
20% GGR
Effective date
28 Oct 2024
Player winnings tax
Prize tax on the gross prize, defined as the stake plus the winnings (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 100): 10% on land-based casino games, 15% on land-based social games, 15% on online games, 10% on promotional draws, raffles and contests. Prizes up to four national minimum wages in social and online games, and up to three in land-based casino games, are exempt, with the excess taxed (art. 95).
Withholding mechanism
The operator withholds prize tax when the prize is paid in social and online games, when the player stops betting, leaves or cashes chips in casinos, and before the draw for promotional games (art. 102). The Special Gaming Tax is assessed and paid monthly by the end of the following month with a declaration, cash flow statement and register of bets, prizes and gross revenue (art. 101).
VAT treatment
Gaming revenue and players' prizes bear no tax other than the Special Gaming Tax, general or local, direct or indirect (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 94(1)). Income from related activities such as restaurants and entertainment follows the general tax regime (art. 94(3)). The lottery concessionaire's gross revenue is outside the Special Gaming Tax, subject only to the administrative fee (art. 94(2)).
Tax base
Imposto Especial de Jogos (Special Gaming Tax) on gross revenue, defined as stakes less prizes paid (Lei n.º 17/24, arts. 3(hh) and 93). Online games: 20% of gross revenue (art. 99). Banked casino games and slot machines: 1.1% (single tables) or 2.2% (double tables) of opening working capital plus 18% of gross revenue (art. 96). Non-banked casino games, bingo and quino: 20% of points and commissions (art. 97). Land-based social games: 20% on fixed-odds sports and animal betting, 10% on promotional draws, raffles and contests, 10% on other bets (art. 98). The headline 20% is the online rate. A separate tax applies to prizes (art. 100).

Earmarked levies

  • Lottery concession administrative fee: A percentage of the concessionaire's gross revenue set by regulation (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 108(2)); not stated in Presidential Decree 118/26 (40% health promotion, 40% youth and sport, 10% National Treasury, 10% ISJ supervision (Presidential Decree 118/26, art. 3).)
  • ISJ supervision fee: Kz 1,500,000 for online operators, Kz 4,500,000 for land-based sports betting, Kz 8,000,000 for the lottery concessionaire, Kz 500,000 to Kz 1,500,000 per casino room, paid quarterly (60% ISJ, 40% National Treasury (Presidential Decree 50/22, art. 10).)

Compliance

Minimum age
18+
National self-exclusion
ISJ self-exclusion and third-party exclusion (national register of prohibitions) (mandatory)
KYC timing
Before the online player account is activated; at entry to casinos and gaming rooms.
AML regime
Operators must meet the risk assessment, identification and due diligence, refusal, record keeping, reporting, abstention, cooperation, confidentiality, control and training duties of the AML law (Lei n.º 5/20 as amended by Lei n.º 11/24), and breach can lead to cancellation of the licence (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 111). They must name at least one Angolan resident responsible for beneficial ownership identification (art. 111(6)) and file a self-assessment report and questionnaire on money laundering risk (Instrutivo n.º 3/25). The ISJ's 2025 sectoral assessment rates the sector's money laundering risk as high (3 operators critical, 9 high, 5 medium) and records 246 suspicious transaction reports to the UIF between April 2025 and March 2026. Angola has been on the FATF list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring since October 2024 and was still on it on 19 June 2026.
AML supervisor
Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos, with reports to the Unidade de Informação Financeira (UIF).
Deposit limits
Online operators must provide website tools that let players limit their deposits and bets (Presidential Decree 131/20, art. 8(3)(d)).
Session limits
Online operators must provide timing of play or bets where applicable (Presidential Decree 131/20, art. 8(3)(g)).
Affordability checks
Operators must collect up-to-date information on players' financial and employment situation, savings goals and ability to meet their commitments, at identification and when circumstances change (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 22).
Central monitoring system
Each operator must run a Central Gaming Unit with a secure connection to the ISJ's systems that allows real-time monitoring of play, prizes and participants (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 85); failing to give direct, permanent real-time access to the gaming system data is a very serious offence (art. 129(w)). Filings and authorisations go through the ISJ's Sistema de Supervisão de Jogos (SSJ).
Data localisation
Online operators must keep their entry and registration infrastructure in Angola and store gaming data there for ten years (Presidential Decree 131/20, art. 34); the ISJ may require secondary system units to be located in Angola (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 85(g)).
KYC requirements
Online operators must record each player's full name, date of birth, nationality, occupation, address, identity or passport number, tax number, email and payment account, and verify identity in real time against public databases through the ISJ or on the website with the identity card and Chave Móvel Digital, or failing that with a copy of a photo document; the player must hold the payment account, and the account becomes active only after verification and a check that the player is not barred (Presidential Decree 131/20, art. 37). Players must identify themselves to operators (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 44(a)), and public bodies must give the ISJ database access to verify identity and age (art. 115(7)). Casinos and gaming halls must refuse entry to under-18s and incapacitated persons even when accompanied (art. 36).
Stake limits
Fixed-odds betting: tickets over Kz 1,000,000 must be refused, accumulators may combine 2 to 25 selections and the prize per ticket may not exceed Kz 50,000,000 (Executive Decree 117/24, arts. 12, 23 and 27).
Mandatory player messaging
Online sites must show game rules, the permitted payment instrument, minimum and maximum stakes, prohibitions on play, warnings against excessive play and the right to self-exclude, contacts for problem gambling support, the operator's and the ISJ's logos and contacts and the licence reference (Presidential Decree 131/20, art. 30). Premises with gaming machines must display a notice of the prohibitions on their use (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 112(10)).
Reporting obligations
Monthly Special Gaming Tax declaration with cash flow statement and register of bets, prizes and gross revenue (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 101); annual accounts to the ISJ and the AGT by 31 March (art. 104); daily bet registers (art. 103); notice to the ISJ within 24 hours of any refusal of access (art. 110). Online operators send monthly activity reports by the 15th (Presidential Decree 131/20, art. 34(e)). Betting operators report bonus campaigns quarterly (Executive Decree 117/24, art. 19(7)).
Game content restrictions
Online games of chance are limited to the listed types (baccarat, banca francesa, blackjack, bingo, slot machines, tournament poker, non-banked Omaha and Hold'em, draw poker, American and French roulette, Dragon Tiger); new types need ISJ authorisation and certification. Sports bets may only be taken on events on the ISJ's approved list (Presidential Decree 131/20, arts. 6 and 13).

Advertising

Advertising permitted
Yes
Watershed
Gambling advertisements may not be run between 07:00 and 22:00, to protect minors and vulnerable people (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 112(7)).
Bonus advertising rules
Fixed-odds betting operators may offer sign-up bonuses of up to 200% and prize bonuses of up to 25%; prize bonuses of 26% to 50% need a guaranteed credit line of Kz 50 million to Kz 500 million depending on annual gross revenue, promotional tickets must be notified to the ISJ 8 working days in advance, and campaigns reported quarterly (Executive Decree 117/24, art. 19).
Mandatory warnings
Every gambling advertisement must carry, in lettering at least as large as the body text and for at least 3 seconds, a warning about the dangers of gambling and a statement that gambling is only for people over 18 (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 114(1)), and must promote moderate, non-compulsive and responsible play (art. 112(2)).
Penalties for breach
The ISJ can order immediate suspension, changes or publication of a correction, and make the correction itself at the advertiser's expense (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 113). Breaching the advertising authorisation rules is a serious offence (art. 128(j)), fined Kz 50,000 to Kz 500,000 for individuals and Kz 5 million to Kz 20 million for companies (art. 143(b)).

Restrictions

  • All advertising and promotion of games, bets, promotional draws, raffles and contests needs prior ISJ authorisation (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 112(1)); the authorisation fee is Kz 500,000 (Presidential Decree 50/22, annex item 13).
  • No gambling advertising on posters or similar within 1,000 metres of institutions of sovereign bodies, ministries, schools, hospitals, charities, cemeteries or churches (art. 112(3)).
  • No gambling advertising in publications, programmes or activities aimed at minors, or in media aimed at under-18s or near schools (arts. 112(4) and 114(2)).
  • Advertising must not abuse players' trust or exploit their lack of knowledge or experience (art. 112(5)).
  • Advertising must not contain indecent content, present gambling as a way out of financial or personal difficulty, as an investment or as an alternative to work, suggest that winning is certain, or suggest that larger or longer play improves the odds (art. 114(2)).
  • Informative advertising limited to the trade name, address, category of establishment, games offered and services is permitted (art. 112(8)).

Payments

Credit card ban
Not yet verified
Crypto stance
Not yet verified
Permitted methods
Bank transfer from and to a player-held account at a bank in Angola in kwanzas (online), Legal tender, chips or cards representing it (land-based)
Withdrawal timeframe rules
Operators must transfer the player's balance to the nominated payment account when asked (Presidential Decree 131/20, art. 26(1)(g)). Betting prizes over Kz 10,000,000 may be paid in up to two instalments within 90 days with ISJ authorisation (Executive Decree 117/24, art. 27). Social games prizes lapse 60 days after award (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 60).
Currency restrictions
Games may only be played with legal tender in Angola, which may be replaced by chips or cards (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 39). Online operators must hold a bank account in Angola in kwanzas for all gaming transactions, and bank transfers from a player account domiciled at a bank in Angola are the payment instrument named by the regulation (Presidential Decree 131/20, arts. 26(1)(h) and (j) and 30). Operators must keep a separate bank account through which all transactions pass (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 103).

Enforcement

ISP blocking
Yes
DNS blocking
Not yet verified
Payment blocking
Not yet verified
App store takedowns
Not yet verified
Administrative penalties
Fines of Kz 10,000 to Kz 320,000 (individuals) or Kz 500,000 to Kz 10 million (companies) for minor offences, Kz 50,000 to Kz 500,000 or Kz 5 million to Kz 20 million for serious offences, and Kz 150,000 to Kz 700,000 or Kz 7 million to Kz 50 million for very serious offences (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 143), raised where the gain is larger (art. 145), with accessory sanctions up to licence revocation and forced closure (art. 146). Licences may be revoked for concealing revenue, capital shortfalls, unpaid tax or prizes, unlawful transfer or repeated breaches (art. 32).
Criminal penalties
Operating without a licence or outside authorised premises: up to two years' imprisonment or a fine of Kz 320,000 to Kz 50 million, and up to one year or Kz 25,000 to Kz 10 million for managers and staff, increased by a third or a half where minors are found (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 116). Fraudulent gaming up to two years (art. 119); unauthorised gaming material up to four months (art. 121). Equipment is seized and destroyed and money forfeited (arts. 122 and 123).
Operator liability
Unlicensed operation is a crime (art. 116), and the ISJ may publish the names of unauthorised operators and ask a court to dissolve them (arts. 20(2) and 126). Internet access, hosting and search providers must block an unlicensed online operator within 48 hours of an ISJ notice (Presidential Decree 131/20, art. 31).
Player liability
Anyone found playing games of chance at an illegal gaming location faces up to four months' imprisonment or a fine of Kz 8,000 to Kz 1,600,000 (Lei n.º 17/24, art. 117).

Notable actions

  • Illegal slot machine operators in Luanda23 Jun 2023

    The ISJ and the Serviço de Investigação Criminal seized 510 slot machines and thousands of coins.

  • 999yes (unlicensed online platform)12 Aug 2025

    Public warning; the ISJ asked the competent authorities to block 999yes.online, 999yes.net and 999yes.com.

  • 1xbet (unlicensed online platform)1 Sept 2025

    Public warning; the ISJ asked the competent authorities to block 1xbet.online, 1xbet.net and 1xbet.com and hold those responsible to account.

  • PalancaBet (unlicensed online platform)18 Jun 2026

    The ISJ declared the operation a crime under art. 116 of Lei n.º 17/24 and asked INACOM to block PalancaBet.online, PalancaBet.net and PalancaBet.com.

  • Social games (betting) operators and their agents16 Jul 2026

    The ISJ set a regularisation plan for betting agents: no street selling, agents only in fixed authorised premises, and the 1,000-metre advertising distance observed, with a transition period to 14 December 2026.

Market data

Figures on this record are drawn from official regulator data.

Online GGR
Not yet verified
Reporting year
2025
Licensed operators
24

Timeline

  1. 14 Oct 2014

    Presidential Decree 290/14 creates the Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos.

  2. 17 May 2016

    Lei n.º 5/16, the previous Gaming Activity Law, is enacted.

  3. 11 May 2020

    Presidential Decree 131/20 on remote online games is published; it takes effect 30 days later.

  4. 15 Feb 2022

    Presidential Decree 50/22 sets the ISJ fee table.

  5. 23 Jun 2023

    The ISJ and the criminal investigation service seize 510 illegal slot machines in Luanda.

  6. 11 Apr 2024

    ISJ Instrutivo 1/24 sets the bank guarantees required of operators.

  7. 27 May 2024

    Executive Decree 117/24 sets bonus, stake and prize limits for fixed-odds betting.

  8. 28 May 2024

    The ISJ names Mota Tavares & Jogos, S.A. winner of the exclusive lottery, totobola and totoloto concession.

  9. 28 Oct 2024

    Lei n.º 17/24 is published and enters into force, repealing Lei n.º 5/16.

  10. 15 Jan 2025

    The ISJ announces that the lottery concessionaire will start Loto 5/90 on 20 January 2025.

  11. 30 May 2025

    ISJ Circular 05/2025 sets self-exclusion and third-party exclusion procedures.

  12. 1 Sept 2025

    The ISJ warns against 1xbet and seeks blocking of its domains.

  13. 18 Jun 2026

    The ISJ asks INACOM to block the unlicensed PalancaBet platform.

  14. 19 Jun 2026

    The FATF keeps Angola on its list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring.

  15. 29 Jun 2026

    ISJ Circular 02/2026 keeps expiring licences provisionally valid until the tenders are concluded.

  16. 2 Jul 2026

    Presidential Decree 118/26 sets how the lottery concessionaire's payments to the State are shared.

Outlook

The Regulation of the Gaming Activity Law, a draft presidential decree the ISJ discussed in May 2025, is the next step: it should set minimum capital, casino gaming zones, tender criteria and real-time controls, and Circular 02/2026 ties the end of the transitional regime to it and to the public tenders. The ISJ's 2026 activity plan sets launching a public tender for casino, social and online licences, deploying technology to detect and block unlicensed betting sites, agreeing blocking protocols with internet providers and replacing its 2014 statute. Betting operators must move their agents into fixed authorised premises by 14 December 2026. On AML, the FATF action plan asks Angola to improve risk-based supervision of non-bank businesses and professions, which include gaming operators.

Frequently asked questions

Is online gambling legal in Angola?
Yes, with an ISJ licence. Online sports betting and listed online casino games are licensed under Presidential Decree 131/20 and Law 17/24, and the ISJ register showed four online licences valid beyond September 2026. Operating without a licence is a crime punishable by up to two years' imprisonment, and the ISJ asks INACOM to block unlicensed sites such as 1xbet and PalancaBet.
Who regulates gambling in Angola?
The Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos (ISJ), a public institute superintended by the Ministry of Finance. The Ministry opens tenders for licences and concessions, and the tax authority (AGT) receives Special Gaming Tax declarations alongside the ISJ.
How is online gambling taxed?
Online operators pay 20% of gross revenue (stakes less prizes) and withhold 15% on prizes, counted as stake plus winnings, above four national minimum wages. The tax is paid monthly by the end of the following month, and no other tax applies to gaming revenue.
Can a new operator get a licence now?
Not yet. Law 17/24 awards new licences by public tender, and none had been launched by September 2026, though the ISJ plans one. Existing operators continue on provisional titles. The ISJ says licences cannot be bought; an investor can only buy shares in a licensee, and holdings of 10% or more need its prior approval.
What are the advertising rules?
Every advertisement needs prior ISJ authorisation (fee Kz 500,000), may not run between 07:00 and 22:00, may not appear within 1,000 metres of schools, hospitals, churches and public institutions, and must show a warning about the dangers of gambling and an 18+ notice for at least 3 seconds.
Who runs the national lottery?
Mota Tavares & Jogos, S.A. holds the exclusive concession for the national lottery, totobola and totoloto, awarded by tender in 2024, and may sell through electronic channels including the internet. It pays the State an administrative fee instead of the Special Gaming Tax.
How much does a gambling licence cost in Angola?
For the Online games and betting licence (jogos e apostas online), the application fee is AOA 7,000,000 (as of 15 Feb 2022). For the Casino games licence (jogos de fortuna ou azar de base territorial), the application fee is AOA 10,000,000 (as of 15 Feb 2022). For the Land-based fixed-odds sports and animal betting licence, the application fee is AOA 20,000,000 (as of 15 Feb 2022). The Licensing section lists all 5 licence types recorded for Angola. Last verified 23 Sept 2026.

Glossary and directory

iGT coverage of Angola

Sources

Source tiers. Tier 1: the law, official gazette, licence register or regulator itself. Tier 2: other official sources such as ministries, parliaments, courts and statistics agencies. Only tier 1 and tier 2 sources can support a fact on their own.

  1. Lei n.º 17/24, de 28 de Outubro, Lei da Actividade de Jogos, Diário da República I Série n.º 206

    Diário da República (copy published by the Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos)

    The gazette copy is a scanned image. Articles were read from the Lex.ao transcription (source ao-lei-17-24) and articles 69, 96 to 101 and 108 to 112 were checked against the scan page by page; they match.

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 28 Oct 2024
  2. Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 28 Oct 2024
  3. Decreto Presidencial n.º 131/20, de 11 de Maio, Regulamento sobre a Exploração de Jogos Remotos em Linha, Diário da República I Série n.º 63

    Diário da República (copy published by the Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos)

    Issued under the repealed Lei n.º 5/16. The ISJ still lists it as in force in its Q4 2025 bulletin. Where it conflicts with Lei n.º 17/24 (licence holder form, licence term, award by tender), the 2024 Law is recorded as governing.

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 11 May 2020
  4. Decreto Executivo n.º 117/24, de 27 de Maio, altera o Regulamento de Organização e Funcionamento do Jogo de Apostas Desportivas à Cota, de Base Territorial e Online (Decreto Executivo n.º 255/21), Diário da República I Série n.º 98

    Diário da República (copy published by the Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos)

    The ISJ legislation page labels this document "Decreto n.º 117/24"; the gazette text is Decreto Executivo n.º 117/24 of the Ministry of Finance.

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 27 May 2024
  5. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 11 Apr 2024
  6. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 29 Jun 2026
  7. Circular n.º 05/2025, de 30 de Maio, Procedimentos de auto-exclusão e de exclusão por terceiros

    Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos (ISJ), Ministério das Finanças

    Section 3.6 gives the self-exclusion period as a minimum of three months and a maximum of "5 (cinco) meses", then says it lasts indefinitely beyond five years if no end date is given; the maximum appears to be a drafting error and is not recorded.

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 30 May 2025
  8. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 24 Jun 2025
  9. Operadores licenciados: licenças activas, vencidas, suspensas e revogadas

    Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos (ISJ), Ministério das Finanças

    The page shows as active only licences whose validity date has not passed (12 on 23 September 2026). Under Circular n.º 02/2026 licences that expired during the transition remain provisionally valid where the operator applied in time, so the register understates the operators lawfully trading; the ISJ Q4 2025 bulletin counted 24 operators.

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  10. Sobre o Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos

    Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos (ISJ), Ministério das Finanças

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  11. Legislação (lista de diplomas e actos administrativos publicados pelo ISJ)

    Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos (ISJ), Ministério das Finanças

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  12. Comunicado: Alerta sobre a plataforma de jogos ilegal "1xbet"

    Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos (ISJ), Ministério das Finanças

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 1 Sept 2025
  13. Comunicado: Alerta sobre a plataforma de jogos ilegal "999yes"

    Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos (ISJ), Ministério das Finanças

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 12 Aug 2025
  14. Comunicado: Exploração ilegal de jogos através da plataforma online «PalancaBet»

    Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos (ISJ), Ministério das Finanças

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 18 Jun 2026
  15. Comunicado: Venda de licença de jogos de fortuna ou azar (casino), online e sociais

    Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos (ISJ), Ministério das Finanças

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 24 Jun 2026
  16. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 28 Oct 2025
  17. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 28 May 2024
  18. O Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos submete proposta de regulamento do jogo Loto 5/90

    Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos (ISJ), Ministério das Finanças

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 15 Jan 2025
  19. Apreensão de máquinas utilizadas para exploração ilegal de jogos

    Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos (ISJ), Ministério das Finanças

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 23 Jun 2023
  20. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 17 Jul 2026
  21. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 19 May 2025
  22. Informativo ISJ, IV Trimestre de 2025: desempenho do sector de jogos

    Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos (ISJ), Ministério das Finanças

    The bulletin labels the 2025 total of Kz 28,189.23 million as fiscal revenue, but its quarterly figures are total collection including parafiscal fees (for example Kz 7,931.79 million in Q4, of which Kz 111 million parafiscal). It is recorded as total collection.

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 30 Jan 2026
  23. Informativo ISJ, Edição n.º 11, Julho 2026: desempenho do sector de jogos

    Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos (ISJ), Ministério das Finanças

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 1 Sept 2026
  24. Relatório de Avaliação Sectorial de Risco em Branqueamento de Capitais no Sector de Jogos (2025)

    Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos (ISJ), Ministério das Finanças

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 16 Sept 2026
  25. Plano Anual de Actividades 2026

    Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos (ISJ), Ministério das Finanças

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 9 Jun 2026
  26. Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 1 Jan 2024
  27. Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 19 Jun 2026

Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.

This page is industry reference information and not legal advice.

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