Burundi modernises online gambling oversight as tax revenues surge
In Burundi, authorities say a new monitoring platform has delivered greater visibility over betting activity while contributing to a sharp increase in tax revenues.
The digital supervision of gambling and betting activities is increasingly becoming a strategic issue for regulators seeking greater transparency, stronger oversight and improved tax collection. In Burundi, authorities say a new monitoring platform has significantly strengthened their ability to track activity across the sector.
The National Lottery of Burundi (LONA) has deployed a digital supervision system designed to monitor licensed online gambling operators in real time, providing regulators with greater visibility over betting activity, royalty payments and sector performance.
Developed by technology company N-Soft, the platform covers eight licensed operators and was installed within a matter of months. According to the company, the contract was signed in January 2024 and implementation completed by March of the same year.
The system relies on certified reporting tools, real-time dashboards and locally hosted infrastructure, allowing regulators to access operational data directly while strengthening oversight capabilities.
For public authorities, the objective extends beyond regulatory compliance. Enhanced visibility into gambling activity can help improve tax administration, reduce reporting discrepancies and provide a clearer picture of market dynamics.
According to figures provided by N-Soft and the National Lottery, excise tax revenues linked to the sector increased by 552 per cent during the first six months following deployment of the platform.
“The results achieved have surpassed all our expectations, both in terms of regulatory control and revenue generation,” said Fabrice Niragira, Director General of the National Lottery of Burundi.
The experience points to a broader trend across Africa, where governments are increasingly turning to digital monitoring systems to supervise rapidly expanding online betting markets. As gambling activity migrates online, regulators face growing pressure to ensure that operators comply with licensing requirements and that public revenues are accurately declared and collected.
For Burundi, the project is being presented as an example of how technology can strengthen regulatory capacity through real-time supervision, certified reporting and improved revenue visibility.
