DR Congo Gambling Regulation: July 31 Deadline Set for Operator Registration

DR Congo gambling regulation is entering a new phase as authorities have set a July 31 deadline for all licensed and active gambling operators to register with the government. Operators that miss this deadline may face administrative sanctions and other penalties under existing law. The registration drive is managed by the Gambling and Games of Chance Supervision Unit (CSJA), established in January as the interim regulator while authorities work to create a permanent body, the Gambling Regulatory Authority (ARJA). In light of these regulatory changes, the Ministry of Finance is deploying a nationwide digital supervision platform to monitor DR Congo gambling operations, with the first implementation phase expected to conclude by August 30, 2026.

DR Congo Sets July 31 Registration Deadline for Gambling Operators

The Ministry of Finance issued the directive requiring each operator to complete an official identification form and submit it electronically before the deadline. This mandate covers companies involved in sports betting, casinos, lotteries, prediction games, and other gambling activities. According to the ministry, the registration process aims to make the gaming industry more accountable and transparent.

The directive extends reforms the government launched earlier in 2026 to improve compliance and revenue collection across the expanding DR Congo gambling market. The registration exercise is meant to improve tax administration and prepare the industry for a regulatory framework currently under review in Parliament, following approval from the Council of Ministers. This broader effort seeks to modernize the country’s gambling industry.

Operators must show they have begun the required compliance process to avoid administrative measures under existing regulations. The ministry clarified that operators do not necessarily need to complete their full technical integration by July 31, but must demonstrate they have started the process. In similar fashion, the March deadline focused on licensing and tax compliance, while the July and August deadlines relate to broader operator registration and gradual integration into the national monitoring system. The reforms provide licensed operators with a clearer regulatory environment.

How CSJA Manages the Transition to Permanent Gambling Authority

CSJA was created by a January 29, 2026, order to supervise DR Congo gambling regulation during the shift toward a permanent authority. Its interim board draws representatives from the Ministry of Portfolio, the National Lottery Company, the Central Bank of Congo, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Congo, and national security agencies. The unit coordinates the move toward a single regulatory framework for the sector.

The reform follows directives issued during Cabinet meetings on November 8, 2024, and April 11, 2025. At the first meeting, the finance minister briefed the Cabinet on the reform’s progress. At the second, the Cabinet approved a bill setting basic rules for the DR Congo gambling industry. The bill regulates operating conditions, strengthens protections for minors and vulnerable gamblers, and defines the tax treatment of winnings and gross gaming revenue.

According to the ministry, the legislation remains under consideration in parliament. The current interim arrangement will give way to ARJA once that authority is formally constituted. Officials described the measure as necessary to maintain sector reforms within a unified national framework during the transition period.

Digital Platform Transforms DR Congo Gambling Oversight

Technical resources are being deployed within the Gambling Monitoring Unit to support the nationwide digital supervision platform, according to Didier Bobwa, head of the information system and monitoring of gaming operations. The platform complies with the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 standard for information security management, providing protection against cyber threats, unauthorized access and data loss.

Integration has already been completed for most electronic money institutions, while gambling operators are being connected according to a schedule set by CSJA [41]. The system will allow the government to centrally monitor DR Congo gambling industry activities and financial flows. Specifically, the platform is expected to provide real-time oversight of gambling operations across the country.

The reform addresses concerns about gambling addiction, money laundering, underage participation and mounting personal debt. Authorities are pursuing stricter supervision as the sector generates around USD 1.70bn annually, while the state receives only about USD 1.00m in revenue. This gap between gambling activity and government revenue collection underscores the need for stronger oversight.