Rwanda Licenses Betway, ElephantBet and ForteBet After Tax Hike
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB), through its National Lottery & Gambling Commission (NLGC), issued gambling licences to Betway, ElephantBet and ForteBet on Tuesday. The approvals close a freeze on new operator licences that Rwanda put in place in June 2024. Betway and ForteBet received licences for online sports betting and online casino, while ElephantBet was approved for online sports betting only.
RDB said the licences followed a competitive evaluation process that assessed technical, regulatory and responsible gambling standards.
Behind the 2024 pause stood concerns over weak regulatory enforcement, underreported earnings and an increase in gambling addiction, according to iGaming Afrika. The sector still operates under the 2024 Gambling Policy and laws from 2011 and 2013, while a full new legal framework remains unfinished.
Rwanda’s Parliament raised the gambling tax rate from 13% to 40% in May 2025. A share of gambling and lottery proceeds is set aside for the Ministry of Sports to fund athlete development programs.
Betway, ElephantBet and ForteBet operate across multiple African markets. Their return to Rwanda marks one of the first tests of the country’s rebuilt licensing process for established regional brands.
💡TGJ Take
Rwanda’s market has reopened, but the 40% tax rate sets a demanding bar for licensees. Betway and ForteBet’s dual approval for sports betting and casino suggests confidence in the market despite the higher cost, while ElephantBet’s narrower licence points toward a more cautious entry. For suppliers who look at East Africa, the unfinished legal framework will matter more than today’s licence count. Affiliates who promote Rwandan brands should factor the higher tax burden into payout and commission expectations.
