Burundi is strengthening financial oversight of its gambling sector after introducing a new framework governing the collection of gambling payments and operator compliance for the 2026/27 financial year. The measures were introduced through Joint Ministerial Order No. 760/540/319, signed on August 12.
The order establishes penalties for late payments, expands access to operators systems, and introduces additional monitoring requirements for gaming equipment. It applies across Burundi’s gambling industry, covering games of chance, lotteries, prediction contests, and promotional activities such as tombolas.
Under the new framework, gambling operators that fail to settle fees on time face a penalty equivalent to 50% of the total amount invoiced. Where an outstanding payment remains unpaid for more than one month, the operator’s license can be suspended until all amounts owed have been cleared.
These rules implement Article 156 of Burundi’s 2026/27 Finance Law and provide the National Lottery of Burundi (LONA) with stronger tools to monitor operators and enforce payment obligations. One of the most significant elements of the new framework is LONA’s increased role in monitoring gambling activity.
Gambling companies, lotteries, and prediction contest operators are required to provide LONA with full access to their information systems. This requirement is intended to improve transparency and allow authorities to monitor transactions and gaming activity more effectively.
Operators running offline slot machines and other gaming equipment must also install mechanisms that enable the machines to connect to the government’s electronic financial monitoring system. Where operators fail to comply with these requirements, the conduct is classified as a serious offense under the order and may lead to sanctions under Burundi’s Penal Code.
The collection framework maintains a 10% levy on player deposits, alongside a 10% charge on withdrawals and a 10% contribution based on gambling companies gross profit. Promotional and occasional gaming activities, including tombolas, are also subject to a 10% fee calculated against the total value of prizes offered.
While LONA had publicly described the deposit, withdrawal, and gross-profit contributions in June, the August order sets out the procedures for collecting and enforcing those obligations for the new financial year. Fees and contributions must be calculated and paid on a monthly basis.
After LONA issues an invoice notifying an operator, lottery, or prediction contest of the amount payable, the entity has 10 days from receipt of the invoice to complete payment. The order defines gross profit as the difference between a gambling company’s net turnover and the winnings paid to players over the relevant period.
Net turnover is calculated from the total stakes received by the operator after deducting the applicable fee on stakes. The framework therefore aims to provide a structured mechanism for calculating, invoicing, and collecting government revenues linked to gambling activity.
The new arrangements are also linked to a 2024 public-private partnership between the Government of Burundi, through LONA, and B&N Partners. The partnership was established to improve government revenue collection from games of chance while strengthening monitoring of gambling activities.
Gaming revenues allocated to LONA are distributed such that 40% is transferred to the Public Treasury and the remaining 60% is placed into an account held by LONA at a commercial bank. For gaming activities that have not yet been processed through B&N Partners, LONA will collect the applicable fees each month through an account held in its name at the Bank of the Republic of Burundi.
The regulations also address unclaimed player winnings. Where winnings remain unclaimed for three months and there has been no activity on the relevant account during that period, gambling companies, lotteries, and prediction contest operators must transfer the funds to the Public Treasury.
Overall, by combining stricter payment deadlines, significant penalties, technology-based monitoring, and license enforcement, Burundi is moving toward tighter financial supervision of its regulated gambling market for the 2026/27 financial year. The measures place greater responsibility on operators to maintain accurate systems, meet monthly financial obligations, and comply with LONA’s monitoring requirements.
