Gabon’s state-owned gaming company is facing scrutiny regarding fees, transparency, and control over the gambling sector amidst its recent restructuring. Currently, there are no businesses publicly identified as operating under the new state-controlled system in the Central African nation with a population of about 2.65 million.
On April 7, 2026, previous authorizations, licenses, and declarations ceased to be valid, as dictated by a notice from GDJ’s Director General Roméo Nguema Ondo that encouraged private operators to apply for licenses under the company’s oversight.
The lack of any published results leaves uncertainties regarding which businesses have received approval or are functioning on any interim basis, creating ambiguity about potential operators and the conditions under which they might participate.
In February, the GDJ called for expressions of interest with a deadline of March 2, promising a "transparent, fair and rigorous selection process" aimed at selecting operators with sufficient technical, financial, and organizational competencies. Furthermore, applicants were required to adhere to regulations concerning excessive gambling, minor access, money laundering, and general operational security.
However, more than seven months after the application period ended, the GDJ has not disclosed the outcomes of these applications. There has been no announcement of approved operators or clarification on fees, operational requirements, and revenue-sharing frameworks for private involvement.
Gabon incorporated online betting into its gaming regulations through Ordinance 0012/PR/2020, amended in February 2021, which designated online betting companies as third-category operators eligible for renewable five-year licenses. A decree issued in May 2022 established a limit of five online operators across the country for a span of three years.
The new regulatory framework was approved by the Council of Ministers on December 29, 2025. The relevant ordinances, 0010/PR/2025 and 0011/PR/2025, are dated December 30. These changes led to the dissolution of the former gaming commission and its secretariat, transitioning control to the newly established GDJ, which is intended to manage and oversee gambling activities while supervising private sector participation.
During a parliamentary review in 2026, legislators raised concerns regarding potential conflicts from consolidating commercial and regulatory duties within a single state entity. In response, former Interior Minister Adrien Nguema Mba insisted that robust control mechanisms would distinguish supervisory responsibilities from those of the GDJ’s operations.
Addressing a Senate committee in June, Mba emphasized that the reform is a "sovereign choice" aimed at reclaiming full governance over the gambling sector. He referenced plans for establishing 2,000 points of sale throughout Gabon's nine provinces, underscoring the GDJ's commitment to ensuring complete traceability of financial transactions, a responsibility that previously eluded the state.
The GDJ’s board convened for the first time on August 7, approving its strategic plan, budget, and internal regulations. Despite these moves, there remains a lack of detailed public information on how the GDJ will separate its commercial interests from its regulatory functions.
In May 2025, it was reported that the task of centralizing gambling-related financial flows had been assigned to eTech SAS without undergoing a competitive bidding process. This situation has drawn criticism from local tech firms that claim they were unfairly excluded. The former interior minister Hermann Immongault defended the choice, asserting, "I will not enter into polemics. The state is sovereign. The state has decided to have this operator," declaring the arrangement legal and transparent as part of a public-private partnership, with plans for eTech to eventually become fully state-owned. Immongault highlighted the necessity for the state to control payment processes by stating, "We operate on a purely declarative basis. An operator declares what it wants and pays 8% in tax. This model is obsolete."
In June 2026, it was reported that Paymetrust had entered into an agreement with the GDJ to oversee online betting transactions through a system connecting mobile payment and banking networks. However, the GDJ has not clarified how Paymetrust’s role integrates with eTech’s existing obligations.
According to a June report from l’Union, operators remain in limbo concerning definitive licenses, agreements, and operational specifications. Industry stakeholders have expressed concerns over the necessity for individual licenses for each service and location, escalating cash transaction costs, delays in winning payouts, and challenges in account reconciliations, leading to projected monthly deductions of around 30% of turnover.
The initial Finance Law for 2026 anticipated generating CFA1.24 billion ($2.1 million) from the tax on gambling activities, yet did not disclose the specific fees or terms applicable to individual operators. While the reforms propose enhanced state oversight, financial tracking, and greater public revenue, the ultimate effectiveness of these initiatives hinges on the GDJ's forthcoming announcements regarding approved operators and the financial conditions for their participation.
