French online gambling operator Betclic Group has officially withdrawn from the Benin market, bringing an end to several years of operations in the country. The company ceased activity in January 2026, following prolonged disagreements with local authorities over Benin’s newly introduced gambling tax framework.
Betclic’s exit comes against the backdrop of rapid expansion across the West African iGaming sector, driven by rising smartphone penetration, improved internet connectivity and a young, digitally engaged population. As online betting activity accelerates, governments across the region have moved to strengthen regulatory oversight in an effort to formalise the sector, enhance consumer protection and increase public revenue.
In Benin, this shift was formalised through Finance Law No. 2024-34, widely referred to as the 2025 Finance Law. Approved by parliament in December 2024 and effective from 1 January 2025, the legislation represents a significant overhaul of the country’s gambling framework, replacing elements of the 2006 regime that did not account for online or mobile-based gambling.
Read Also: Togo Joins Regional Push to Tax Gambling Winnings With New 5% Lottery Levy
Under the new law, land-based casinos and physical betting outlets are subject to a 10% tax on gross gaming revenue (GGR). Online and remote gambling operations, however, face a substantially higher 25% GGR tax rate.
Crucially, the levy is applied to gross gaming revenue rather than net profit. This means operators are taxed on wagers minus payouts, without the ability to deduct operating costs such as marketing, technology infrastructure, regulatory compliance or customer acquisition.
According to market sources, the 25% GGR tax on remote gambling was a decisive factor behind Betclic’s withdrawal. While the company has not publicly disclosed details of its discussions with regulators, industry observers say the structure and scale of the tax burden made continued operations in Benin commercially unviable under the new regime.
While Betclic Group has exited the Beninese, the operator continues to operate and expand in Côte d’Ivoire, where it holds an online betting licence within a structured and long-established regulatory framework.
