Angola has commenced a month-long licensing window that will enable operators to have enough time for provisional approval following the ongoing transitional regime dictated by the regulations of the Gaming Activity Law.
The country’s regulator Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos (ISJ), made the publication on its LinkedIn page on Wednesday, revealing that the circular comes into immediate effect following positive engagement with stakeholders.
iGaming consultant in Luanda Province, Jovelino Malungo agreed that the move was set to bring about a technological modernisation and digitalisation of the country’s gaming industry, strengthening the alignment of Angolan legislation with international best practices.
He also noted the reforms could push Angola to become a center of attraction for domestic and foreign investment.
Explaining why the new act was a necessity, Jovelino told iGaming Expert: “Some online gaming licenses in Angola had expired, both before and after the approval of the LAJ (Gaming Activity Law).
“At the time, licenses issued in Angola after 2020 were valid for only one year, subject to renewal. Under the new law, the license is valid for 10 years and is renewable.
“Subsequently, the ISJ’s leadership changed; the new management was still studying the market, and the issuance of licenses was suspended pending the regulation of the new Gaming Activity Law.
“Pursuant to Article 153 of the new Gaming Activity Law, the ISJ decided to extend all expired licenses held by existing operators in order to safeguard jobs and ensure the continuity of operations; however, this extension remains in effect only until a new public tender is launched.”
When quizzed about figures that could be needed to enter the Angola market, Malungo commented: “To enter the Angolan market, new operators must await the launch of a public tender to be awarded a license for online and offline gaming operations.
“According to the 2026 activity schedule of the Gaming Supervision Institute—made public on its official website—a new public tender may be held in the fourth quarter of this year. Operators must purchase a tender dossier containing the tender documents and procedures.
“Online licenses cost between $7,000 and $14,000. An offline license costs $20,000; additionally, a bank guarantee ranging from $50,000 to $400,000—depending on the type of gaming and must be submitted to the Gaming Supervisory Institute.”
Malungo reiterated that the new regulations ensures greater certainty for operators and investors as it will come with clearer rules for licensing and conducting operations.
The ISJ thus continues to step up its oversight activities, and insiders say they have mapped out plans for enhanced player protection measures and the fight againt illegal gambling and money laundering.
Kenya’s jurisdiction recently took a similar move, gazetting a new set of regulatory laws while inculcating a 60-day transitional window for license holders to acquire a working license under the new regime.
Amidst the ongoing reforms, the Angolan market has delivered some substantial results for the economy this year, with the ISJ revealing that it had generated above Kz2.8bn (€3.1m) in parafiscal revenue last February.
