The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ministry of Finance has asserted its exclusive authority over the regulation of the nation’s gambling sector. In a press release on August 27, the ministry reminded operators that Ordinance No. 25/293 had officially shifted regulatory responsibilities from the Ministry of Sports and Leisure to its own jurisdiction, thereby clarifying oversight in the gambling industry.
The press release emphasized the Ministry of Finance’s commitment to reforming the gambling and games of chance sector in line with government directives, ensuring legal certainty for operators, transparency in operations, and the safeguarding of the Public Treasury’s interests. This statement was signed by Alain Malata Kafunda, the chief of staff to the minister of finance.
The ministry also cautioned gambling operators against responding to payment requests from unauthorized departments, advising them to report such incidents to the Ministry of Finance and the Directorate General of Administrative, Judicial, State Property and Equity Revenues (DGRAD). This agency has been tasked with identifying and nullifying any irregular payment notices issued.
In its communications, the Ministry of Finance clarified that any approval or payment notice issued without proper authorization would hold no legal value, stating that operators are still responsible for meeting their obligations to the Public Treasury.
Despite a population exceeding 100 million, the DRC's gambling market faces significant tax collection challenges. Last year, Minister of Finance Doudou Fwamba estimated that iGaming operators generated approximately $1.7 billion in revenue but contributed only about $1 million in taxes.
A CEO of a leading DRC operator remarked that the current tax system relies heavily on the self-reported figures from operators. "Operators do pay, yes, but they pay whatever suits them," the CEO noted, indicating that the state lacks the capacity to monitor compliance with regulatory policies.
In response to these concerns, the DRC Ministry of Finance has unveiled plans for a new gambling monitoring platform aimed at improving oversight. Additionally, the DRC government is working on a revised legal framework for the gambling sector to modernize regulations and enhance tax collection efforts.
