Burundi, an East African nation with around 13 million residents, is grappling with significant economic challenges, including one of the world’s lowest GDPs per capita. The country’s iGaming industry, still in its infancy, is dominated by LONA, a government-run monopoly, due to the 2008 Penal Code that rendered most gambling forms illegal. Legal gambling options in Burundi are limited to the national lottery, sports betting, and a single land-based casino located in Gitega. LONA’s operations provide the government with revenue while it simultaneously works to shut down illegal gambling activities.
Recently, LONA, also known as LONABU, announced plans to establish a Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) by June 30, 2026. This initiative aims to create a national licensing and compliance framework to mitigate illegal activities and draw structured investments into the sector. Although comprehensive market data for 2025 is unavailable, the sector’s constraints suggest considerable untapped potential, especially as mobile internet access expands and the youthful demographic grows.
Market Overview
The iGaming industry in Burundi is tightly regulated, with the majority of activities being state-controlled rather than driven by competitive enterprises. Specific revenue data or player counts are currently unavailable, but the market is part of Africa’s broader gaming sector, projected to hit approximately $6.78 billion by 2030 with an annual growth rate of 7.5%.
The Institut des Jeux de Paris (IGP) serves as the primary revenue source, overseeing the national lottery, sports betting, and co-owning the Lydia Ludique casino. In 2024, N-Soft’s monitoring platform linked eight betting service providers to enhance revenue tracking and slightly improved the online presence through the Rahisibet sportsbook.
Market Size & Growth
Africa’s regulated gambling market, including Burundi, is valued at approximately $3.6–3.7 billion in the early 2020s, with projections indicating it could reach $6.8 billion by 2030, driven by larger economies and increasing formalization in smaller states.
In this regional context, Burundi’s legal market is relatively narrow, with revenues primarily stemming from LONA’s lottery, sports bets, the Lydia Ludique casino, and a small group of monitored operators. Despite the lack of detailed national revenue or player statistics, N-Soft’s real-time data capture initiatives are laying the groundwork for more precise market sizing and taxation in the medium term.
Popular Game Types
The national lottery, operated by LONA, is the most established gambling format in Burundi, accessible through physical agents and forming the backbone of the country’s formal gambling activities. Sports betting, managed by LONA and licensed to the Rahisibet online sportsbook brand, stands as a key growth product, especially among tech-savvy young adults. Burundian bettors tend to focus on international football leagues, reflecting broader East African preferences.
The Lydia Ludique Burundi casino offers a limited portfolio of slot machines and electronic games, indicative of regulatory caution and modest demand for high-income gaming. Unlicensed gambling outside this venue is illegal and subject to raids and closures.
Online gambling in Burundi is largely confined to sportsbook operations like Rahisibet, with a limited selection of online casino slots. While offshore sites can be accessed, they operate in a legal grey area, lacking formal data segmentation for online casino, poker, or virtual games.
Player Demographics
In Africa, sports betting is predominantly popular among those aged 18–35, a trend that holds true in Burundi, where youth unemployment and interest in football draw players into the market. Male participation dominates, with cultural barriers slowing female growth. Players typically engage in low-stakes lottery games and football betting, with mobile betting gaining traction as internet penetration increases, though income and regulatory restrictions still pose challenges.
Regulatory Landscape
Burundi’s gambling regulation is evolving from centralized government control toward a more diversified approach. Historically, the National Lottery of Burundi (LONA) has monopolized gaming activities. However, recent policy shifts seek to separate and formalize licensing, regulatory, and tax collection functions. A National Strategy for the Control and Regulation of Gambling (2023-2035) is underway, with draft decrees proposing a better-regulated industry.
Gambling is illegal unless under LONA’s control or authorization. Transitioning from a monopolistic setup, LONA now operates with eight licensed associates, down from fifteen, under strict regulation. Recent government strategies aim to regulate gambling consumption, restrict establishments near schools, and promote development through localized activities, avoiding exacerbation of poverty.
Licensing Requirements and Regulatory Authorities
Currently, LONA serves as the primary gambling authority, issuing permits and overseeing operations while also conducting commercial ventures. Operators must obtain a concession from the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Trade, supervised by LONA, proving financial stability and compliance with anti-money laundering systems.
In 2024, LONA’s dual role as operator and regulator was deemed problematic, prompting government plans to restructure LONA as solely a Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA).
Taxation and Compliance Details
Burundi has yet to publish specific tax rates for gambling, but technological advancements, such as N-Soft’s digital oversight solution, are enhancing tax collection from gaming. This includes a Central Monitoring Platform to track player activities and revenues, leading to a reported 552% increase in tax revenue due to stricter compliance.
Upcoming Legislative Changes
In July 2023, Burundi approved a 12-year strategic plan for gambling regulation, focusing on limiting gambling consumption, prohibiting establishments in low-income areas, and establishing clear financial guidelines for operators. A draft decree in June 2024 aims to create a regulated gambling sector with enhanced player protections and clarified operator obligations.
For operators and investors, these changes signify a shift from one-off concessions to a standardized licensing regime, with centralized digital monitoring promising a more predictable regulatory environment.
Competitive Landscape
Burundi’s iGaming industry is characterized by a concentrated structure with limited operators. LONA, as the central agency, acts primarily as a regulator, operating the national lottery, a licensed sports betting site, and partnering with private investment groups for the Lydia Ludique Burundi Casino. Rahisibet is the sole licensed online sportsbook, providing a monopoly-like environment with restrictive licensing agreements.
Consumer Trends
Burundi’s gambling customers are shaped by widespread poverty, youth unemployment, and growing mobile connectivity. The limited scope of legal internet gaming includes state-sponsored lottery, retail betting, and a regulated online sportsbook. Young adults in Burundi share similar betting behaviors with their peers across sub-Saharan Africa, favoring low-stake, high-reward wagers.
Player Behavior and Preferences
Youth in Burundi engage in sports betting as a means of escaping unemployment, often starting at an early age with hopes of securing significant wins through small bets. The demographic is predominantly male, aged 18–35, in line with regional trends.
Payment Methods and Technological Trends
Mobile money dominates as the primary payment method for iGaming deposits and withdrawals, with Lumitel Money holding a significant market share. Device access is high due to widespread mobile connectivity, though low banking inclusion means many rely on cash-to-wallet agents over traditional banking methods.
Opportunities & Challenges
The regulatory landscape in Burundi presents challenges for operators, including poverty, corruption, and political instability. However, opportunities exist in developing localized mobile payment solutions and products to curb gambling addiction. Ethnic conflict and reliance on foreign aid pose risks to potential investments.
Conclusion & Recommendations
Burundi’s gaming industry, while facing regulatory and market challenges, holds promise for growth through partnerships with LONA and a focus on mobile-friendly, low-stakes gaming products. With LONA transitioning to a regulatory role and the potential establishment of the GRA, the long-term outlook is positive, suggesting growth akin to other rapidly developing African markets.
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