Gabon’s state-owned gaming company has yet to disclose any businesses authorized to operate under its new state-controlled gambling framework. This framework was established in a country with a population of approximately 2.65 million on the Atlantic coast, and it officially invalidated all previous licenses, authorizations, and declarations as of April 7, 2026. The announcement was made through a notice from director general Roméo Nguema Ondo, urging private operators to apply for new licenses under the supervision of the company.
The lack of a public outcome regarding these applications raises uncertainty about which businesses have secured approval or are functioning under transitional provisions. Consequently, there is no transparent account available to the public detailing the operators that may participate and the terms of their participation.
According to a call for expressions of interest issued by the GDJ in February, applicants were to submit by March 2. The GDJ had committed to a "transparent, fair, and rigorous selection process," aiming to select operators with established technical, financial, and organizational capabilities. Furthermore, applicants had to adhere to regulations concerning excessive gambling, access for minors, money laundering, and security measures.
However, over seven months after the application period closed, there has been no announcement of results from the GDJ. They have neither named any approved operators nor detailed the fees, operating requirements, or revenue-sharing arrangements that would govern private sector involvement in this new regime.
The introduction of online betting into Gabon's gambling regulations occurred with the ratification of Ordinance 0012/PR/2020, which was amended in February 2021. This legislation categorized online betting operators as third-category entities, allowing them renewable five-year declarations. Subsequently, a decree issued in May 2022 established a national cap of five online operators for a three-year duration.
The new framework, approved by the Council of Ministers on December 29, 2025, involved the dissolution of the former gaming commission and its technical secretariat. The GDJ was created to supervise both gambling operations and private sector participation.
Concerns have emerged regarding potential conflicts arising from the GDJ assuming both commercial and regulatory roles. During discussions in parliament in 2026, lawmakers raised these issues. Former interior minister Adrien Nguema Mba assured that distinct control systems were to be established to separate the GDJ's operational activities from its oversight responsibilities. He promoted the reform as a "sovereign choice" intended to reclaim control over the sector, and mentioned plans for establishing 2,000 sales points across Gabon’s nine provinces to enhance the traceability of financial flows.
The GDJ convened its first board meeting on August 7, where members approved its strategic plan, budget, and internal regulations. Yet, there is still no detailed public information clarifying how its financial interests will be kept apart from its regulatory functions.
In May 2025, it was reported by Gabon Media Time that the assignment to centralize gambling-related financial transactions was granted to eTech SAS without a competitive tender. Local tech companies criticized this decision, asserting exclusion from participation.
Hermann Immongault, the then interior minister, defended the appointment, asserting its legality and transparency as part of a public-private partnership, with future plans for eTech to become state-owned. He elaborated that the government’s aim was to take control of payments, deeming the previous system, which allowed operators to declare their income and pay an 8% tax, outdated.
By June 2026, Gabon Media Time reported that Paymetrust had entered into an agreement with the GDJ to centralize and supervise online betting transactions across banking and mobile money networks. However, the GDJ has yet to clarify how Paymetrust’s role aligns with eTech’s existing responsibilities.
Concerns about unresolved licensing and operational agreements persist among industry players. Reports from June indicated that operators were still waiting for final licenses and faced complications including required licenses for each activity and location, heightened cash-in and cash-out costs, delays in winning payouts, and challenges in account reconciliations. There were estimates suggesting a monthly revenue reduction of about 30% on turnover.
The initial Finance Law for 2026 anticipated CFA1.24 billion (approximately $2.1 million) in revenue from gambling taxes, but it did not clarify the fees or specific commercial conditions imposed on individual operators. While the reforms are aimed at enhancing state oversight, financial tracking, and public revenue, assessing their effectiveness is contingent upon the GDJ announcing the outcomes of the application process, identifying any approved operators, and establishing the financial terms for their engagement.
