Gabon’s state-owned gaming company has yet to announce any businesses authorized to operate under the new state-controlled gambling system. This development comes as the nation, which is located on the Atlantic coast and has a population of roughly 2.65 million, prepares for significant changes in its gambling landscape.
On April 7, 2026, all previous authorizations, licenses, and declarations were rendered invalid, as stated in a notice from GDJ's director general, Roméo Nguema Ondo. The notice invited private operators to apply for new licenses under the GDJ’s supervision, but no public outcome regarding these applications has emerged, raising questions about which operators may officially be permitted to operate and their respective terms.
In February, the GDJ requested expressions of interest, promising a "transparent, fair and rigorous selection process" with a deadline of March 2. Applicants were required to demonstrate compliance with regulations pertaining to excessive gambling, access for minors, money laundering, and security measures.
Despite the end of the application period more than seven months ago, the GDJ has not disclosed the results or identified any approved operators. Details regarding fees, operational requirements, and revenue-sharing arrangements for private participants remain undisclosed, leading to speculation about the transparency of the process.
The regulatory environment in Gabon has evolved significantly with Ordinance 0012/PR/2020, which was ratified with amendments in February 2021. This legislation allowed online betting to be included in the national gambling framework and classified these businesses as third-category operators with renewable five-year declarations. Additionally, a decree issued in May 2022 capped the number of online operators at five for a period of three years.
On December 29, 2025, the Council of Ministers endorsed the new gambling regulations, formalized by Ordinances 0010/PR/2025 and 0011/PR/2025, signed on December 30. The reform replaced the previous gaming commission and its technical secretariat, establishing the GDJ to administer and monitor gambling while overseeing private operators.
Concerns have been raised regarding potential conflicts of interest inherent in consolidating commercial and supervisory functions within the same state entity. During parliamentary discussions in 2026, lawmakers sought assurances from former interior minister Adrien Nguema Mba, who asserted that effective control systems would distinguish oversight from the GDJ's operational duties. He emphasized the government’s commitment to restoring full control over the gambling sector and indicated plans to establish approximately 2,000 points of sale throughout Gabon’s nine provinces, assuring comprehensive traceability of financial flows.
On August 7, the GDJ’s board convened for the first time, approving a strategic plan, budgets, and internal regulations. However, the public has not yet received full clarification regarding how the GDJ will maintain a division between its commercial interests and regulatory responsibilities.
In May 2025, Gabon Media Time reported that the authority for centralizing gambling-related financial transactions was awarded to eTech SAS without a competitive bidding process, prompting backlash from local technology firms that felt sidelined. Hermann Immongault, the then interior minister, defended the choice, stating, "I will not enter into polemics. The state is sovereign. The state has decided to have this operator," and described the agreement as legal and transparent under a public-private partnership.
Immongault elaborated on the rationale behind the state's intention to manage payment processes, noting that the previous model relied on self-declared payments by operators, with a set tax rate of 8%. He argued that such a system had become outdated.
In June 2026, reports emerged that Paymetrust had entered an agreement with the GDJ to facilitate and supervise online betting payments via a platform integrated with mobile and banking networks. Nonetheless, the GDJ has not clarified how this new arrangement aligns with eTech's previously assigned role.
Operators continue to report delays in obtaining definitive licenses, operational agreements, and the necessary specifications for their activities. Industry players have expressed concern over the requirement for individual licenses for each activity and site, as well as higher costs associated with cash transactions, delayed payment of winnings, and reconciliation issues. Estimates suggest a monthly deduction that could amount to 30% of turnover.
The 2026 Finance Law anticipates generating CFA1.24 billion ($2.1 million) in revenue from gaming taxes, yet does not outline the fees imposed on specific operators. While the reforms aim to enhance state control, ensure financial traceability, and increase public revenue, the overall effectiveness will remain unclear until the GDJ provides clarity on the selection process and terms governing private operator participation.
