Rwanda has marked the resumption of its new gambling era by granting licenses to three foreign betting companies Betway, ElephantBet, and ForteBet.
Acting through its National Lottery and Gambling Commission, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) confirmed the approvals last week in its bid to increase the strength of market regulations, create broader fiscal policies for operation and ensure a complete overhaul of its gambling industry.
In August 2025, the board announced that the 2024 suspension, which was imposed with the intention of allowing time for the development of and approval of a new national gambling policy, had been lifted.
However, it was envisaged that the new regime would come with some significant tax hikes. Early last year, the Ministry of Finance introduced a much steeper gambling tax system, raising GGR tax rates from 13% to 40%.
Withholding tax on winnings also grew from 15% to 25%, creating further headaches for licensed operators in Rwanda. But H2 Gambling Capital in its report noted that such taxation would likely drive players to unregulated sites, having made it harder for local operators to stay profitable.
Notwithstanding, the board has now approved both of Betway and ForteBet for online sports betting and online casino verticals, while ElephantBet received a license for online sports betting activity only.
The move shows the board is prioritising regulatory clarity rather than rolling out a single licensing model for all prospective applicants.
The approvals were said to come after a “thorough, competitive licensing and evaluation process”, thus providing a formal route back into the market for the three operators after a prolonged absence of more than a year.
Ultimately, Rwanda’s new regulatory moves are part of the RDB’s wider programme, the Rwanda Gambling Policy (RGP), which was instituted in 2024.
The policy was meant to establish a stringent oversight system on gaming operators, while ensuring the country reap the economic benefits of what the industry brings and then directing gambling revenues toward public health initiatives and social programs.
