The National Assembly of Madagascar has commenced a 12-day extraordinary session in Tsimbazaza, with lawmakers set to examine several pending legislative texts, including a proposed bill aimed at regulating gambling activities in the country.
The extraordinary session, which began Tuesday, includes legislation covering gambling, electronic communications and digital infrastructure, as well as amendments to the law on combating cybercrime. The proposed gambling bill comes amid the continued expansion of online gaming platforms and specialized gambling establishments in Madagascar.
The government is seeking to establish a more comprehensive and modern legislative framework for the sector, with the objective of strengthening regulatory oversight of gambling operators. Among the key objectives of the proposed legislation are improving the collection of tax revenues generated by gambling activities, strengthening measures against money laundering and introducing greater safeguards for players.
The bill also seeks to address gambling-related risks, including addiction, through measures designed to promote greater player protection and responsible gambling. Alongside the gambling legislation, lawmakers will consider a bill on electronic communications and digital infrastructure, which seeks to replace and update the country’s existing regulatory framework dating from 2005.
According to the government, rapid technological development and the expansion of digital services over the past two decades have created the need for legislation that better reflects current market conditions. The proposed framework is intended to support the development of communication infrastructure, encourage investment and competition, and improve access to digital services across Madagascar.
The agenda also includes a bill revising legislation on combating cybercrime, as well as texts concerning agreements related to the Southern African Development Community (SADC), financial relations, the status of the armed forces, and cooperation on the peaceful use and application of nuclear technologies in Madagascar. Lawmakers have 12 days to deliberate on the various texts scheduled for the extraordinary session.
The session follows calls made during the closing of the National Assembly’s ordinary session in July by Speaker Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko for an extraordinary sitting to address the number of legislative proposals awaiting consideration. He had specifically highlighted legislation concerning the establishment of effective decentralization in Madagascar as among the pending priorities.
The consideration of the gambling bill marks a significant step toward updating Madagascar’s regulatory approach to an evolving gambling market, particularly as online gaming continues to expand and creates new regulatory, fiscal and player-protection challenges.
