DR Congo Strengthens Gambling Oversight as Finance Ministry Clarifies Licensing and Tax Powers

The Democratic Republic of Congo is tightening control over its gambling market, with the Ministry of Finance reaffirming its authority over operator registration, regulation and gambling-related taxes as the country moves towards a more centralised supervisory system.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has strengthened its oversight of the gambling sector after the Ministry of Finance clarified its powers over sports betting, casinos, lotteries and other games of chance.

In an official communiqué dated August 27, the Ministry confirmed that responsibility for reforming and regulating the sector falls under its authority. It cited Ordinance No. 25/293 of December 15, 2025, which assigns the Ministry responsibility for registering gambling operators and overseeing the industry.

Taxation is also part of the Ministry's remit. Two key fiscal obligations have been transferred to it: the tax linked to authorisation to operate a gambling or lottery business and an ad valorem tax on player winnings from betting, lotteries, prediction contests and similar activities, including those conducted through digital and telecommunications platforms.

The authorisation tax is payable annually, while the tax on player winnings is due monthly, no later than the 15th day of the following month. The Ministry also warned that licences, payment notices or other documents issued by authorities without the required legal powers have no legal effect and do not release operators from their obligations to the Treasury.

The Direction Générale des Recettes Administratives, Judiciaires, Domaniales et de Participations (DGRAD) has been instructed to identify and cancel improperly issued payment notices. Officials responsible for irregular acts may also face administrative, disciplinary or criminal proceedings.

The wider reform is being coordinated by the Cellule de Surveillance des Jeux d'Argent et de Hasard (CSJA), created within the Ministry of Finance in January 2026. Its responsibilities include reviewing operator applications, monitoring compliance, combating fraud and money laundering, protecting vulnerable players and improving public revenue collection.

The CSJA is also deploying a centralised national monitoring platform. By July, the Ministry said technical integration with most electronic money institutions had been completed, while the connection of gambling operators was continuing. The platform is intended to improve oversight of betting activity and related financial flows.

The current structure is considered transitional. The government plans to establish a permanent gambling regulator, the Autorité de Régulation des Jeux d'Argent (ARJA), while broader gambling legislation remains under parliamentary consideration.

For operators, the direction of reform is increasingly clear: DR Congo is moving towards a more centralised system combining registration, fiscal compliance and technological supervision. If the planned regulator and legislation are implemented, the market could become significantly more structured, while leaving less room for operators working outside official channels.