The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) announced on Thursday the immediate suspension of Baron Sports Gaming Ltd, which operates as Forzza. This action mandates that Forzza halt all operations in Rwanda and remove any advertising or promotional materials tied to its brand.
The suspension was triggered after the operator was found to be offering casino-style games beyond the scope of its licensing agreement, which only allowed for sports betting. The RDB confirmed to iGB that Forzza’s current licence does not extend to the provision of these types of games.
The RDB cautioned Forzza that it could face additional enforcement measures should it continue to operate during the suspension. In a response to The New Times, a newspaper in Rwanda, Forzza expressed its shock at the decision, indicating that it had not been provided with a rationale for the suspension.
In the context of Rwanda's gambling market, Serge Nyombayire, COO of the RDB, disclosed last week that there are currently 15 licensed operators in the sector, including a national lottery operator. With Forzza’s suspension, the total number of active licence holders has now decreased to 14.
Rwanda has recently begun to open up its licensing framework; earlier this month, three new operators obtained authorization to enter the market. ForteBet and Super Group's Betway secured licences for both online sports betting and casino operations, while ElephantBet was granted a licence for online sports betting only.
Describing the nation’s goal of attracting reputable operators, Nyombayire emphasized that drawing in companies like Super Group’s Betway is crucial for Rwanda's future in the field. He remarked that, "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." He reinforced Rwanda's commitment to welcoming such companies, stating, "We really showcase that Rwanda is trying its best to really welcome these kinds of companies."
Furthermore, he highlighted the potential benefits of collaboration, saying, "Companies that have international experience can support us in developing the next gambling law, whereby we can really benchmark on them and get more data from them on what is needed to put things together. We believe in a sector that is interactive and 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."
