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One-Month Application Period Marks Next Stage of Regulatory Overhaul
Angola has opened a 30-day licensing window for gambling operators as the country moves deeper into the implementation of its new Gaming Activity Law. The measure takes effect immediately and gives eligible businesses an opportunity to secure provisional approval while the broader regulatory transition continues.
The announcement came from the country’s gambling regulator, the Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos (ISJ), following discussions with industry stakeholders. It marks another step in a reform process designed to replace older licensing practices with a more structured framework.
For years, the market operated under a system where many online gambling licences issued after 2020 lasted just one year before requiring renewal. The new law replaces that approach with licences valid for 10 years, creating a far longer planning horizon for operators.
That change follows a period of uncertainty. After new leadership took over at the ISJ, licensing activity was paused while regulators reviewed the market and prepared regulations under the new law. During that period, expired licences were temporarily extended to keep existing businesses running and protect jobs until a formal licensing process could be introduced.
Public Tender Expected Later This Year
New operators will still have to wait before entering the market.
Industry observers expect Angola to launch a public tender during the fourth quarter of 2026, in line with the ISJ’s published activity schedule. Companies seeking licences will be required to purchase tender documentation before applying.
Current estimates place online licence fees between $7,000 and $14,000, while an offline gambling licence carries a $20,000 fee. Applicants will also need to provide a bank guarantee ranging from $50,000 to $400,000, depending on the type of gambling operation.
The reforms are widely viewed as part of a broader effort to modernise Angola’s gambling sector. Alongside longer licence terms, regulators are working toward greater digitalisation, stronger oversight and rules that more closely reflect international regulatory standards. Officials are also preparing tougher measures targeting illegal gambling, player protection and anti-money laundering controls.
Angola is not alone in reshaping its gambling laws. Kenya recently introduced its own transitional licensing period, giving operators 60 days to comply with a revised regulatory framework.
The sector is already making a noticeable contribution to public finances. Earlier this year, the ISJ reported more than Kz2.8 billion (€3.1 million) in parafiscal revenue generated during February, underscoring the government’s interest in bringing more of the industry under a formal regulatory system.
Source: igamingexpert.com
