DR Congo government accelerates gambling reform to boost revenue and curb money laundering

Nearly two years after the initial steps were taken, the government of Prime Minister Judith Suminwa has accelerated the reform of the gambling and related activities sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to Actualité. During its 39th Council of Ministers meeting held on Friday, April 11, 2025, the government adopted a draft bill outlining the fundamental principles governing games of chance and gambling in the country.

The reform, which aims to boost state revenue and combat money laundering, was presented by Congolese Minister of Finance, Doudou Fwamba.

According to the meeting’s official summary, the proposed legislation “sets the rules applicable to games of chance and gambling in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the goal of strengthening the protection of national savings in accordance with the Constitution.” The bill aims to regulate gambling operations through a strict legal framework, ensuring clear guidelines for operators and well-defined conditions for conducting these activities. It also emphasizes the protection of minors and vulnerable players, while introducing a general tax regime that includes specific levies on winnings and gross gaming revenue.

The reform process was initially launched under the government of Sama Lukonde, with Nicolas Kazadi serving as Finance Minister at the time. The gambling sector in the DRC has long operated without a unified legal framework, and this new bill marks a significant step toward modernizing and regulating the industry.