Rwanda Development Board Convenes Engagement Forum to Promote Collaboration in the Gambling Sector for Economic Growth
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) recently convened the inaugural Gambling Industry Engagement Forum, marking a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to regulate the nation’s gambling sector.
The engagement served as a platform to align the sector with the 2024 Gambling Policy, which aims to balance economic growth with the need to protect public welfare. The forum, officiated by RDB CEO Jean-Guy Afrika, brought together licensed gambling operators and regulators for a structured dialogue focused on the industry’s future direction.
During the session, discussions centered on the new regulatory framework, including compliance, responsible gaming, digitisation, and transparent governance. Jean-Guy Afrika, RDB CEO, said: “A sustainable gambling industry is one that balances growth with responsibility. By strengthening compliance, responsible gaming, and digitisation, we are building a sector that is trusted, well-regulated, and positioned for long-term growth.”
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This inaugural meeting comes as Rwanda continues to overhaul its gambling governance following the adoption of the 2024 Gambling Policy, with the RDB now serving as the sector’s primary regulator. Subsequent reforms have introduced a significant increase in taxation, raising the Gross Gambling Revenue (GGR) tax from 13% to 40% and increasing the withholding tax on player winnings from 15% to 25%. The new framework also introduces a Centralized Monitoring System (CMS) aimed at improving real-time oversight of betting activity and reducing reliance on self-reported operator data.
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has assured that stakeholder engagement will remain central as it refines regulatory frameworks and gradually resumes licensing for land-based and online gambling operators. This approach aligns with its broader ambition to position Rwanda as a regional leader in responsible gambling and to reduce gambling-related harm by 2030.
