The Ministry of Finance in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reiterated its exclusive authority over the regulation of the country's gambling industry.
In a press release dated August 27, the ministry reminded gambling operators that responsibility for overseeing the sector was formally shifted from the Ministry of Sports and Leisure to the Ministry of Finance through Ordinance No. 25/293.
This transition, according to the Ministry of Finance, clarified any ambiguity regarding regulatory oversight in the DRC's gambling sector.
The announcement included a statement from Alain Malata Kafunda, chief of staff to the Minister of Finance, emphasizing the ministry's commitment to reforming the gambling and games of chance industry in alignment with government directives. The ministry aims to ensure legal certainty for operators, maintain transparency in operations, and protect the interests of the Public Treasury.
Additionally, operators were cautioned against following payment requests from unauthorized departments. The Ministry of Finance urged anyone encountering such requests to report them immediately to both the ministry and the Directorate General of Administrative, Judicial, State Property and Equity Revenues (DGRAD).
The DGRAD has been assigned the role of identifying and rectifying any irregular payment notices that may have been issued.
The press release declared that any approvals, authorizations, payment notices, or related actions taken by unauthorized departments carry no legal weight. However, operators remain responsible for fulfilling their obligations to the DRC's Public Treasury.
Many view the DRC as a gambling market with substantial potential, driven by a population exceeding 100 million. Nonetheless, the sector faces challenges, particularly with tax collection.
Finance Minister Doudou Fwamba reported last year that iGaming operators generated approximately $1.7 billion in annual revenue but only contributed around $1 million in taxes. A CEO of a leading DRC operator noted that the tax system largely relies on operators declaring their revenue to the government, stating, "Operators do pay, yes, but they pay whatever suits them. In other words, we effectively pay what benefits us. All the while, the state has no means of monitoring its regulatory policies."
In light of these challenges, the Ministry of Finance announced plans earlier this year to implement a new gambling monitoring platform aimed at improving sector oversight. The DRC government is also working on a new legal framework that seeks to modernize existing regulations and strengthen tax collection oversight.
