The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has suspended Baron Sports Gaming Ltd, which operates under the name Forzza. The announcement, made on Thursday, compels Forzza to halt all operations in the country immediately and to withdraw any related advertising and promotional content.
This suspension was enacted after the company was discovered to have repeatedly offered casino-style games, which are not covered under its license. The RDB clarified that Forzza’s current licensing allows only for sports betting.
In addition to the suspension, the RDB cautioned Forzza against further operations during this period, indicating possible additional enforcement actions if the company does not comply.
In a statement to The New Times, a local Rwandan newspaper, Forzza expressed its astonishment at the decision, stating that it had not received an explanation from the RDB regarding the grounds for its suspension.
Rwanda’s gambling sector is in a phase of growth, with the RDB’s COO, Serge Nyombayire, noting to iGB last week that there are currently 15 licensed operators in the market, including a national lottery provider. With Forzza’s license being revoked, this number drops to 14.
Earlier this month, the RDB granted licenses to three new operators, marking a move to widen the market. ForteBet and Super Group’s Betway brand secured licenses for online sports betting and casino operations, while ElephantBet was authorized for online sports betting only.
Nyombayire highlighted the importance of attracting reputable operators, asserting that companies like Super Group’s Betway significantly contribute to the industry’s credibility in Rwanda. He stated, “Companies like Betway have proven their experience elsewhere, and their way of doing business has been seen as the proper way in so many aspects,” underscoring the RDB's commitment to developing a welcoming environment for such operators.
He further expressed hope that operators with international experience could assist in crafting Rwanda’s upcoming gambling legislation, suggesting that their best practices could serve as a valuable reference. “We believe in a sector that is interactive, that can exchange information from us as a regulator, but also we hope a lot from this type of operator. We believe it will be a very good way to learn from each other.”
