Malian official calls for National Gambling Regulator to ensure sovereignty and transparency

According to Maliweb, Mountaga Diakité, rapporteur of the Mines, Energy and Water Commission of the Transitional National Council (CNT), has urged the Prime Minister to address the absence of a national regulatory authority for games of chance in Mali.

Diakité emphasized the need to establish the Autorité de Régulation des Jeux de Hasard du Mali (ARJHM) to promote transparency and fairness in the gambling industry, ensure better distribution of the sector's revenues, and align regulatory practices with the country's development goals — similar to reforms previously undertaken in the mining sector.

He pointed out that the management and regulation of PMU-Mali, the national betting operator, are partially outsourced to a foreign company. According to Diakité, this arrangement limits the economic benefits for Mali and undermines national sovereignty. He therefore advocates for the creation of an independent regulatory body, similar to existing agencies such as AMRTP for telecommunications, CREE for energy and water, and ARMDS for public procurement.

Diakité argues that such an authority would allow Mali to regain control over gaming regulations, ensure operational transparency, and safeguard the fair distribution of winnings, all while prioritizing national interests. He further noted that ARJHM would fill a significant legal and institutional gap, especially in the face of rapid technological advancements and the growing presence of online gambling platforms.

“The gambling sector cannot be left behind in this digital transformation,” he said, adding that reforming PMU-Mali and creating ARJHM would help Mali anticipate and manage these developments while protecting both players and the state.

Confident in the government’s willingness to take action, Diakité is calling for swift implementation of the proposed reforms, which he views as critical to modernizing governance and strengthening Mali’s economic ecosystem.