Burundi: gambling regulation and licensing
- Online sports bettingRegulated
- Online casinoNot yet verified
- iLotteryRegulated
- Land-based (reference)Regulated
- Regulator
- Loterie Nationale du Burundi
- Headline tax
- 10% GGR
- Licence required
- Yes
- Last verified
- 24 Sept 2026
Summary
Burundi has no gambling statute. The sector runs through the Loterie Nationale du Burundi (LONA), a public body created by Decree 100/45 of 2 May 1985 and reorganised by Decree 100/231 of 11 December 1989, which LONA itself calls the only legal framework for games of chance. The Penal Code (Law 1/27 of 29 December 2017, articles 463 to 473) bans games of chance in public places, prohibits lotteries and punishes organising betting competitions, but exempts those organised or authorised by the public authorities. Under-18s may not play. LONA both operates games, including the Lumiloto mobile lottery run with Lumitel since July 2021, and licenses private operators under concession. Its website lists eight approved operators, among them the online sportsbooks 1xBet, 888starz, Bet1 and Rahisibet and the Mega Lotto lottery, with Melbet being integrated. LONA says casinos have been suspended since late 2023. Gambling is taxed through the annual finance law. Since 1 January 2026, and again under Finance Law 1/10 of 30 June 2026 (article 156), operators pay 10% of player deposits for sports and virtual games, 10% of player withdrawals, a contribution of 10% of gross profit and 10% of tombola prizes; until then the levies were 10% of stakes, 10% of winnings and 5% of gross profit. A Gambling Management System run under a January 2024 public-private partnership monitors operators in real time. Under a 2023 to 2035 national strategy, LONA is to give up its commercial activities and become an independent Agence de Régulation des Jeux de Hasard. A draft decree organising the sector went to the Council of Ministers in June 2024, but no adopted decree was found.
Common pitfalls
Looking for a gaming act: there is none, and the operative rules are the Penal Code exemptions, the 1989 LONA decree, concession contracts and the annual finance law. Relying on older levy rates: the base moved from stakes and winnings to deposits and withdrawals on 1 January 2026, and the gross profit contribution doubled to 10%. Treating LONA's operator list as stable: its own pages give counts from eight to fifteen. Assuming casinos are open for licensing: LONA says they have been suspended since late 2023.
Key facts
- Regulator
- Loterie Nationale du Burundi (LONA)
- Regulator type
- Lottery monopoly
- Headline tax
- 10% GGR
- Licence required
- Yes
- Minimum age
- 18+
- Tax base
- Since 1 January 2026, and under Finance Law 2026/2027 article 156: 10% of player deposits for each type of game (sports and virtual), 10% of player withdrawals, a contribution to socio-economic activities of 10% of the gross profit of gambling companies, and 10% of the value of prizes in occasional or promotional games (tombolas). The turnover figure is the levy on player deposits and the GGR figure is the contribution on gross profit, which the 2025 joint ordinance defines as net turnover less winnings paid to players. Services funded through airtime credit are excluded. Until 31 December 2025 the base was 10% of stakes, 10% of winnings and 5% of gross profit.
Legal framework
Primary statutes
Penal Code (Law No. 1/27 of 29 December 2017), articles 463 to 473
Loi n°1/27 du 29 décembre 2017 portant révision du Code pénal
- Year
- 2017
- In force
- Yes
- Summary
- Chapter III on games of chance, lotteries and betting competitions. Games of chance, where chance predominates over skill, are prohibited in public places, in unfenced places visible to the public and in any place, even private, that anyone may freely enter, and are prohibited for minors under 18 (article 463). Keeping or playing such games carries one to two years' penal servitude and a fine of up to BIF 50,000, or either penalty (article 464). Lotteries are prohibited (article 465); organisers and agents face one to two years and up to BIF 50,000 with confiscation (article 466), as do those who distribute tickets or advertise lotteries (article 467). Organising betting competitions for profit, or acting as intermediary by transferring funds or distributing their advertising, carries eight days to three months and up to BIF 200,000 (article 471), with confiscation of stakes and equipment (article 472). Lotteries, games of chance and betting competitions organised or authorised by the public authorities for charitable, industrial, artistic, sporting or other public-interest purposes are exempt (articles 469 and 473).
Finance Law 2026/2027 (Law No. 1/10 of 30 June 2026), article 156
Loi n°1/10 du 30 juin 2026 portant fixation du Budget Général de l'Etat pour l'exercice 2026/2027
- Year
- 2026
- In force
- Yes
- Summary
- In force from 1 July 2026 (article 277). Article 156 levies on all games of chance and money 10% of player deposits for each type of game (sports and virtual), 10% of player withdrawals, a contribution to socio-economic activities of 10% of the gross profit of gambling companies, and 10% of the value of prizes in occasional or promotional games (tombolas). Services whose deposits are made through airtime credit are excluded. A joint ordinance of the finance and commerce ministers sets how the levies are shared.
Secondary instruments
Decree No. 100/231 of 11 December 1989 reorganising the National Lottery of Burundi
Décret n°100/231 du 11 décembre 1989 portant réorganisation de la Loterie Nationale du Burundi
- Year
- 1989
- In force
- Yes
- Summary
- Makes the National Lottery a public administrative body with legal personality and organic and financial autonomy, charged with organising public lotteries throughout Burundi (articles 1 and 2). Its board includes a representative of the concessionaires (article 5); draws are overseen by a draw committee including a public prosecutor (article 24); lottery ticket sales, commissions and prizes are exempt from all taxes (article 43). LONA describes this decree as the only legal framework governing both games of chance and its own functioning.
Decree No. 100/45 of 2 May 1985 creating the National Lottery
Décret n°100/45 du 2 mai 1985 portant création de la Loterie Nationale
- Year
- 1985
- In force
- Yes
- Summary
- Creates the National Lottery as a public body whose purpose is to organise lotteries throughout Burundi (article 2), and repeals the Decree of 17 August 1927 on lotteries (article 4).
Joint Ministerial Ordinance No. 750/540/170 of 24 July 2025 on collecting gambling levies
Ordonnance ministérielle conjointe n°750/540/170 du 24/7/2025 portant modalités de collecte des redevances et contribution aux activités socio-économiques pour toute sorte de jeux de hasard et d'argent
- Year
- 2025
- Summary
- Applies article 139 of the original Finance Law 2025/2026: 10% of stakes, 10% of winnings, 5% of gross profit and 10% of tombola prizes (article 3). Levies are paid monthly into an escrow account at the Banque de la République du Burundi in the names of B&N Partners and LONA, or into a LONA account for games not yet connected (article 4), and split between LONA and the private partner under the PPP contract; of LONA's share, 40% goes to the Treasury and 60% to LONA (articles 5 and 6). Operators pay within five days of notice, with a 10% penalty for each two weeks late and suspension of the licence beyond a month (article 7). Winnings unclaimed for three months go to the Treasury (article 8). Operators must give LONA full access to their information systems and connect slot machines to the State monitoring system, on pain of a serious fault punishable under the Penal Code (article 9). Whether a new ordinance has been issued for the deposit-based rates in force since 1 January 2026 was not found.
Joint Ministerial Ordinance No. 750/540/178 of 31 January 2024 on gambling levies
Ordonnance ministérielle conjointe n°750/540/178 du 31 janvier 2024 portant fixation des modalités de prélèvement des redevances et des contributions aux activités socio-économiques perçues dans le cadre de l'exploitation des jeux de hasard au Burundi
- Year
- 2024
- Summary
- First set the 10% stake levy, 10% winnings levy, 5% gross profit contribution and 10% tombola levy, collected by LONA, with State access to operators' information systems. Article 7 confirms that gambling companies also pay the ordinary taxes. Cites the national Strategy for the Control and Regulation of Games of Chance.
Law No. 1/02 of 4 February 2008 on combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism
Loi n°1/02 du 4 février 2008 portant lutte contre le blanchiment de capitaux et le financement du terrorisme
- Year
- 2008
- In force
- Yes
- Summary
- Casinos and gambling establishments are obliged entities (article 3(5)) and must keep a register, initialled by the competent authority, of all operations with client names and identity document numbers, kept for ten years (article 9). A bill amending the law was adopted by the National Assembly on 3 February 2025; the amended text was not reviewed.
Key amendments
- 2018The Ministry of Finance lifts the exclusive concession for slot machines granted in 2000.
- 9 Nov 2020Supervision of LONA moves from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Commerce, Transport, Industry and Tourism (Decree 100/094).
- 24 Jun 2025Finance Law 2025/2026 article 139 puts the stake, winnings, gross profit and tombola levies into statute.
- 1 Jan 2026Amended Finance Law 2025/2026 (Law 1/09, article 148) replaces the stake and winnings levies with 10% of deposits and 10% of withdrawals and raises the gross profit contribution from 5% to 10%.
- 1 Jul 2026Finance Law 2026/2027 (Law 1/10, article 156) carries the same levies into the 2026/2027 budget year.
Pending legislation
Draft decree regulating games of chance, lotteries and betting
- Stage
- Presented to the Council of Ministers by the commerce minister in June 2024; no adopted decree was found
- What it changes
- Would give the sector a structured regulatory framework in place of the 1989 LONA decree and concession contracts.
Creation of the Agence de Régulation des Jeux de Hasard (ARJH)
- Stage
- Planned under the 2023 to 2035 Strategy for the Control and Regulation of Games of Chance; target 2035
- What it changes
- LONA would stop operating games as current concessions expire and become an independent regulator responsible for supervising operators, issuing approvals, tracing revenue and protecting players.
Licensing
- Licence required
- Yes
- Application window
- Not yet verified
- Local establishment required
- Yes
- Local server required
- Not yet verified
- Active licences
- 8 (as of 23 Sept 2026)
- Bank guarantee or bond
- Sufficient financial guarantees or proof of capital, amount set by LONA.
- Notable licensees
- 1TBET, 1XBET, BUBET, Kings Investment, Rahisibet, Mega Lotto, 888 Starz (Infinit Bet Ltd), Bet1 (Sigma)
- Certification requirements
- Acceptance of real-time supervision through the Gambling Management System and full access for LONA to the operator's information systems; slot machines that cannot connect to the internet must be fitted with a device linking them to the State monitoring system (Joint Ordinance 750/540/170, article 9).
- Barriers to entry
- Applicants must be a legal person registered in Burundi, with managers who have no criminal record, sufficient financial guarantees and a detailed business plan, and must file at LONA's headquarters in Bujumbura. The procedure runs from filing through examination and inspection to approval. Operators must accept real-time monitoring, keep away from schools and poor neighbourhoods, and meet responsible gambling and reporting duties. No casino licences are being issued. There is no published licensing regulation: the terms come from LONA's website and the concession contracts.
Licence types
Lottery licence
- Scope
- National lotteries and scratch games
- Term
- Fixed period, generally one to several years
- Fee basis
- Concession fees; application and annual fees set by LONA and communicated at application
- Renewal terms
- Renewable on proof of continued compliance, possibly after re-inspection
Sports betting licence
- Scope
- Sports betting through a physical network and potentially online
- Term
- Fixed period, generally one to several years
- Fee basis
- Concession fees set by LONA; LONA cites a historic (2021) licence fee of USD 70,000 per operator and says current amounts are given at application and revised periodically
- Renewal terms
- Renewable on proof of continued compliance, possibly after re-inspection
Casino licence
- Scope
- Land-based casinos and gaming halls; suspended since late 2023, no new licences issued
- Term
- Fixed period, generally one to several years
- Fee basis
- Non-refundable application fee and annual fees scaled to the operation; LONA cites a historic (2021) fee of about USD 50,000
Poker and bingo
- Scope
- Other games of chance under strict control
Taxation
- Headline GGR tax
- 10% GGR
- Effective date
- 1 Jan 2026
- Turnover tax
- 10%
- Player winnings tax
- No separate income tax on winnings was found. The 10% levy on player withdrawals (10% of winnings until 31 December 2025) is collected through the operator.
- Withholding mechanism
- Operators pay the levies monthly into the escrow account within five days of LONA's notice; late payment attracts a 10% penalty for each two weeks, and a delay of more than a month suspends the licence until payment (Joint Ordinance 750/540/170, articles 4 and 7). Gambling companies also pay the ordinary taxes (Joint Ordinance 750/540/178, article 7).
- Tax base
- Since 1 January 2026, and under Finance Law 2026/2027 article 156: 10% of player deposits for each type of game (sports and virtual), 10% of player withdrawals, a contribution to socio-economic activities of 10% of the gross profit of gambling companies, and 10% of the value of prizes in occasional or promotional games (tombolas). The turnover figure is the levy on player deposits and the GGR figure is the contribution on gross profit, which the 2025 joint ordinance defines as net turnover less winnings paid to players. Services funded through airtime credit are excluded. Until 31 December 2025 the base was 10% of stakes, 10% of winnings and 5% of gross profit.
Earmarked levies
- Levy on player deposits (redevance sur les dépôts): 10% of deposits for each type of game (sports and virtual) (Collected into the LONA and B&N Partners escrow account; shared between LONA and the private partner, with 40% of LONA's share paid to the Treasury)
- Levy on player withdrawals (redevance sur les retraits): 10% of withdrawals (As above)
- Contribution to socio-economic activities: 10% of the gross profit of gambling companies (5% until 31 December 2025) (As above)
- Levy on occasional or promotional games (tombolas): 10% of the value of prizes (As above)
Compliance
- Minimum age
- 18+
- National self-exclusion
- Not yet verified
- AML regime
- Casinos and gambling establishments are obliged entities under the 2008 AML/CFT law (Law 1/02, article 3(5)) and must keep a register of all operations with client names and identity document numbers for ten years (article 9). The law was amended by Law No. 1/08 of 27 March 2025, under which the central bank has issued Regulation No. 02/2026; the amended text has not been reviewed. the CNRF reported in November 2025 that its implementing texts were still being finalised and that the mutual evaluation of Burundi began in June 2025.
- Central monitoring system
- The Gambling Management System, developed by N-Soft under PPP contract No. 05/ARCP/2024 and deployed from February 2024. Phase 1 covers lotteries, online platforms, sports betting and horse racing; phase 2 is to cover casinos and slot machines. Operators must give LONA access to their entire information systems (Joint Ordinance 750/540/170, article 9). LONA reported a 95% reliability rate for operators' declarations in February 2026.
- KYC requirements
- Casino licensees must check identity at the entrance and use access controls to verify customers' age (LONA casino conditions).
- Stake limits
- Not yet verified
- Mandatory player messaging
- Casino licensees must display the prohibitions and the rules of the games (LONA casino conditions).
- Reporting obligations
- Regular reporting to LONA; monthly payment of levies on LONA's notice (Joint Ordinance 750/540/170, articles 4 and 7).
- Game content restrictions
- Games of chance are prohibited for under-18s (Penal Code article 463). Casinos have been suspended since late 2023. Gaming premises are barred near schools and in poor neighbourhoods (LONA licensing conditions).
Advertising
- Advertising permitted
- Not yet verified
- Penalties for breach
- Lottery advertising: one to two years' penal servitude and a fine of up to BIF 50,000 (Penal Code articles 466 and 467). Betting competition advertising: eight days to three months and up to BIF 200,000, or either penalty (article 471).
Restrictions
- Making known the existence of lotteries or facilitating the issue of their tickets by notices, announcements, posters or any other publication is punished as organising the lottery; the material is seized and destroyed (Penal Code article 467). Lotteries organised or authorised by the public authorities are exempt (article 469).
- Distributing bulletins or advertising for a prohibited betting competition, paid or unpaid, is an offence (Penal Code article 471), with confiscation of the advertising (article 472).
Payments
- Credit card ban
- Not yet verified
- Crypto stance
- Not yet verified
- Payment blocking regime
- No statutory payment blocking was found. Acting as intermediary for a prohibited betting competition by transferring funds is an offence (Penal Code article 471). In February 2026 LONA called on money transfer companies to stop hiding the accounts of unauthorised operators, warning that the laws and penalties are clear.
- Withdrawal timeframe rules
- Winnings not collected for three months without movement on the account must be paid by the operator to the Treasury (Joint Ordinance 750/540/170, article 8).
Enforcement
- ISP blocking
- Not yet verified
- DNS blocking
- Not yet verified
- Payment blocking
- Not yet verified
- App store takedowns
- Not yet verified
- Administrative penalties
- Late levy payments: 10% of the amount due for each two weeks of delay, and suspension of the licence when the delay exceeds a month (Joint Ordinance 750/540/170, article 7). Non-compliance: suspension, non-renewal or withdrawal of the licence and administrative closure (LONA). LONA also carries out raids on illegal operators with seizure of equipment.
- Criminal penalties
- Keeping or playing games of chance in public places: one to two years' penal servitude and a fine of up to BIF 50,000, or either (Penal Code article 464). Organising or selling unlawful lotteries: one to two years and up to BIF 50,000, with confiscation of the prizes and equipment; where a building is raffled, confiscation is replaced by a fine of BIF 50,000 to 200,000 (articles 466 and 467). Organising or acting as intermediary for betting competitions: eight days to three months and up to BIF 200,000, or either, with confiscation of stakes and equipment (articles 471 and 472). Refusing LONA access to information systems is a serious fault punishable under the Penal Code (Joint Ordinance 750/540/170, article 9).
- Operator liability
- Criminal liability for keeping unauthorised games of chance, lotteries and betting competitions (Penal Code articles 464, 466, 467 and 471); administrative sanctions by LONA against licensees.
- Player liability
- Playing games of chance in public places or places open to the public is punishable by one to two years' penal servitude and a fine of up to BIF 50,000, or either (Penal Code article 464); games organised or authorised by the public authorities are exempt (article 469).
Notable actions
- Casinos, including the Lydia Ludic casino in Bujumbura2023
Casino operations suspended from late 2023 and no new casino licences issued, pending phase 2 of the Gambling Management System
- Operators offering games of chance without LONA authorisation, and money transfer companies26 Feb 2026
LONA press conference warning that unauthorised operators, who evade tax and create unfair competition, will be punished as an example and may be permanently excluded from the Burundian market, and calling on money transfer companies to stop concealing their accounts
Market data
- Online GGR
- Not yet verified
- Licensed operators
- 8
Timeline
2 May 1985
Decree 100/45 creates the National Lottery to organise lotteries throughout Burundi.
11 Dec 1989
Decree 100/231 reorganises LONA; it remains the basis of its functioning.
Feb 2001
The Lydia Ludic casino, jointly owned by LONA, the Pefaco group and an investor, opens in Bujumbura as the country's first casino.
29 Dec 2017
Revised Penal Code (Law 1/27) sets the offences for games of chance, lotteries and betting competitions.
2018
The Ministry of Finance lifts the exclusive slot machine concession.
9 Nov 2020
Supervision of LONA moves to the Ministry of Commerce, Transport, Industry and Tourism.
1 Jul 2021
LONA launches Lumiloto, an electronic lottery with the mobile operator Lumitel.
14 Oct 2021
The Council of Ministers examines a draft law on games of chance and asks for a gambling policy to be drawn up first.
5 Jul 2023
National Strategy for the Control and Regulation of Games of Chance (2023 to 2035) adopted.
31 Jan 2024
Joint Ordinance 750/540/178 sets the gambling levies; PPP contract No. 05/ARCP/2024 on optimising State revenue from games of chance is concluded.
Feb 2024
Gambling Management System deployed with N-Soft.
Jun 2024
Draft decree regulating games of chance, lotteries and betting presented to the Council of Ministers.
24 Jun 2025
Finance Law 2025/2026 (article 139) puts the gambling levies into statute.
24 Jul 2025
Joint Ordinance 750/540/170 sets collection through an escrow account and a 40% Treasury share of LONA's levies.
1 Jan 2026
Amended Finance Law 2025/2026 switches to 10% levies on deposits and withdrawals and a 10% gross profit contribution.
26 Feb 2026
LONA warns unauthorised operators and money transfer companies of sanctions.
1 Jul 2026
Finance Law 2026/2027 (Law 1/10, article 156) enters into force with the same levies.
15 Sept 2026
LONA says it will draw on the practice of Guinea's regulator, the ARSJPA, to strengthen transparency, supervision and operators' tax and social obligations.
Outlook
The levies are set by the annual finance law, so the next change can come with the 2027/2028 budget, due to take effect on 1 July 2027. LONA plans phase 2 of its monitoring system to bring casinos and slot machines under real-time supervision, which it links to the reopening of casinos. The June 2024 draft decree on games of chance and the creation of the ARJH remain pending; in September 2026 LONA said it intends to follow the model of Guinea's gaming regulator, the ARSJPA. Burundi's AML/CFT mutual evaluation, begun in June 2025, will test how gambling operators are supervised.
Frequently asked questions
- Who regulates gambling in Burundi?
- The Loterie Nationale du Burundi (LONA), a public body created in 1985 and reorganised in 1989, which both operates games and licenses private operators under concession. It is meant to become an independent Agence de Régulation des Jeux de Hasard by 2035.
- Is online sports betting legal in Burundi?
- Yes, through LONA. The Penal Code punishes betting competitions unless organised or authorised by the public authorities, and LONA lists approved online sportsbooks including 1xBet, 888starz, Bet1 and Rahisibet. There is no dedicated gaming law.
- How are gambling operators taxed in Burundi?
- Under Finance Law 2026/2027 article 156: 10% of player deposits for sports and virtual games, 10% of player withdrawals, 10% of gross profit and 10% of tombola prizes. Until 31 December 2025 the levies were 10% of stakes, 10% of winnings and 5% of gross profit. Ordinary taxes also apply.
- Can a new operator get a casino licence?
- Not at present. LONA says casinos have been suspended since late 2023 and no new casino licence is being issued until phase 2 of its monitoring system.
- What is the minimum gambling age?
- 18. The Penal Code prohibits games of chance for minors under 18 (article 463), and LONA requires licensees to exclude them.
Sources
- Law No. 1/27 of 29 December 2017 revising the Penal Code, chapter on games of chance, lotteries and betting competitions, articles 463 to 473 (Bulletin Officiel du Burundi No. 12TER/2017)
Republic of Burundi, Bulletin Officiel du Burundi (Amategeko legal portal) (translated)
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 29 Dec 2017 - Decree No. 100/45 of 2 May 1985 creating the National Lottery (signed scan)
Loterie Nationale du Burundi (LONA) (translated)
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 2 May 1985 - Decree No. 100/231 of 11 December 1989 reorganising the National Lottery of Burundi (signed scan)
Loterie Nationale du Burundi (LONA) (translated)
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 11 Dec 1989 - Réglementation: official archive of LONA founding decrees and regulatory texts
Loterie Nationale du Burundi (LONA) (translated)
Lists the 2025 joint ordinance as "Ordonnance n°540/750/170" with no date. The signed text is numbered 750/540/170 and dated 24 July 2025 (source bi-ord-2025); the record follows the signed text.
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026 - Joint Ministerial Ordinance No. 750/540/170 of 24 July 2025 on the collection of levies and the contribution to socio-economic activities for all games of chance and money, applying article 139 of the Finance Law 2025/2026 (signed scan)
Ministers of Commerce, Transport, Industry and Tourism and of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning (published by LONA) (translated)
The ordinance number (170) and the day (24) are handwritten on the scan; both are read as printed.
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 24 Jul 2025 - Joint Ministerial Ordinance No. 750/540/178 of 31 January 2024 setting the arrangements for levying royalties and contributions to socio-economic activities on the operation of games of chance in Burundi (signed scan)
Ministry of Finances, Budget and Digital Economy of Burundi (translated)
The signature date on the scan is illegible; the number and the date of 31 January 2024 are taken from the title of the Ministry of Finance page that publishes it. Superseded on the points it covers by Joint Ordinance 750/540/170 of 24 July 2025.
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 31 Jan 2024 - Law No. 1/12 of 24 June 2025 setting the General Budget of the Republic of Burundi for 2025/2026 (Finance Law 2025/2026), article 139
Ministry of Finances, Budget and Digital Economy of Burundi (translated)
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 24 Jun 2025 - Law No. 1/09 of 31 December 2025 amending Law No. 1/12 of 24 June 2025 (amended Finance Law 2025/2026), article 148 and revenue table line 7233830
Ministry of Finances, Budget and Digital Economy of Burundi (translated)
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 31 Dec 2025 - Law No. 1/10 of 30 June 2026 setting the General Budget of the State for 2026/2027 (Finance Law 2026/2027, promulgated text), articles 156 and 277 and revenue table line 7233830
Ministry of Finances, Budget and Digital Economy of Burundi (translated)
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 30 Jun 2026 - Communiqué of the Council of Ministers of 14 October 2021, item 7: draft law governing games of chance
Presidency of the Republic of Burundi (translated)
Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 14 Oct 2021 - LONA official portal: home page, list of approved operators ("Nos opérateurs agréés")
Loterie Nationale du Burundi (LONA) (translated)
LONA pages disagree on the number of licensees. The home page lists eight approved operators (1TBET, 1XBET, BUBET, Kings Investment, Rahisibet, Mega Lotto, 888 Starz (Infinit Bet Ltd), Bet1 (Sigma)) with Spin Africa Ltd (Melbet) and Lydia Ludic Burundi (phase 2) being integrated; the services page names Infinit Bet and Sigma as still being approved; the licensing page lists Melbet among eight supervised operators; the June 2024 news item and the Director General's message refer to 15 concession-holding partners; the 2025 history page said twelve companies. The record uses the home page list.
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026 - Octroi de licences d'exploitation: legal framework and approval procedure for gambling operators
Loterie Nationale du Burundi (LONA) (translated)
The fee figures on this page are labelled historic (2021) and the page says exact amounts are given at application. The companion casino page cites "LONA, Legal Pilot (2025)" as its sources, so parts of these pages appear to be compiled from a secondary source.
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026 - Ouvrir un casino au Burundi: conditions for operating a gaming hall (updated March 2026)
Loterie Nationale du Burundi (LONA) (translated)
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published Mar 2026 - Les services de la LONA
Loterie Nationale du Burundi (LONA) (translated)
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026 - Historique de la LONA: from its creation to its transformation into a regulatory agency (1985 to 2035)
Loterie Nationale du Burundi (LONA) (translated)
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026 - LONA en résumé
Loterie Nationale du Burundi (LONA) (translated)
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026 - Mission et vision de la LONA
Loterie Nationale du Burundi (LONA) (translated)
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026 - Le Burundi franchit une étape clé dans la régulation des jeux de hasard (15 June 2024)
Loterie Nationale du Burundi (LONA) (translated)
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 15 Jun 2024 - Partenariat public-privé: les jeux de hasard, un levier stratégique pour les recettes de l'État (presentation of 27 February 2026)
Loterie Nationale du Burundi (LONA) (translated)
The Ministry of Finance representative dates the public-private partnership with N-Soft to 30 January 2024; the 2025 joint ordinance cites PPP contract No. 05/ARCP/2024 of 31 January 2024. The record uses the contract date in the ordinance.
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 27 Feb 2026 - Press conference of 26 February 2026 on unauthorised games of chance (communiqué in Kirundi, translated by iGaming Times)
Loterie Nationale du Burundi (LONA) (translated)
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 26 Feb 2026 - De nouvelles perspectives dans la régulation du secteur des jeux de hasard au Burundi (15 September 2026)
Loterie Nationale du Burundi (LONA) (translated)
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 15 Sept 2026 - Historique de la LONA (archived copy of the former LONA site, captured 29 August 2025)
Loterie Nationale du Burundi (LONA) (translated)
Archived page of the previous LONA website; the current site no longer carries this text.
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026 - Law No. 1/02 of 4 February 2008 on combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism (B.O.B. 2008 No. 2 p. 200), articles 3 and 9
BWC Implementation Support Unit legislation database (copy of the Bulletin Officiel du Burundi text) (translated)
A reproduction of the gazetted text on a third-party host. The law was amended by Law No. 1/08 of 27 March 2025 (sources bi-an-aml-2025, bi-cnrf-2025, bi-brb-lcbft-2026); the amended text could not be opened, so whether the gambling provisions changed is not verified.
Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 4 Feb 2008 - Le Burundi s'engage à combattre le blanchiment de capitaux et le financement du terrorisme (plenary of 3 February 2025)
National Assembly of Burundi (translated)
The National Assembly's website refused connections on 2026-09-24; the link is the archived copy of the article.
Archived copyTier 2Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published 4 Feb 2025 - Validation of the National Risk Assessment report and briefing on the mutual evaluation of Burundi (11 November 2025)
Cellule Nationale de Renseignement Financier (CNRF) (translated)
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 14 Nov 2025 - Textes légaux relatifs au secteur bancaire: Règlement n° 02/2026 édicté en application de la loi n° 1/08 du 27 mars 2025 portant modification de la loi n° 1/02 du 04 février 2008 portant lutte contre le blanchiment de capitaux et le financement du terrorisme
Banque de la République du Burundi
Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026