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With a population of over 30 million and an average annual GDP growth of between six and seven percent, the Ivory Coast – Côte d’Ivoire (CIV) is the largest economy in West Africa. The iGaming market is rapidly increasing due to the growing adoption of smartphones throughout the continent (over 50% penetration) and the increasing number of young people, who are creating the demand for sports betting as well as lottery games. The primary regulator, LONACI (La Loterie Nationale de Côte d’Ivoire), has been a dominant force in the gaming market and has reported an estimated 518.36 billion FCFA in revenue for 2023, a year-on-year increase of 21.84 percent.
In 2025, we can expect to see further developments in gambling regulation with the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority (ARJH) and the launch of their digital transaction monitoring platform, ARJH, and the collaboration with Afitech CI for monitoring. Additionally, the ARJH will be working to enforce regulations against illegal gambling, enhancing transparency, improving the marketability of legitimate gaming companies, and making an attractive market for iGaming companies located within the Francophone region of Africa.
Table 1. Ivory Coast Gambling Market Snapshot 2024–2025
| Metric | 2024 / 2025 Value & Notes |
|---|---|
| Total gambling market revenue (2025) | Approx. US$564.8 million – Includes lottery, sports betting, and casinos (online and land-based). |
| Projected CAGR (2025–2030) | 4.83% annual growth – Based on Statista market forecasts. |
| LONACI turnover (2023) | 518.36 billion FCFA – Increase of 21.84% compared to 2022; state lottery and betting. |
| LONACI turnover (2024) | 561.24 billion FCFA – Approximate growth of 8.29% versus 2023. |
| LONACI net income (2023) | 4.26 billion FCFA – Approved at the Annual General Meeting. |
| Active gambling users (estimate) | 2–3 million players – Estimated from regional iGaming growth and local interviews. |
| Online gambling growth outlook | Expected growth during 2025–2031 – Forecast by 6Wresearch. |
Market Overview
In 2025, Ivorian iGaming is anticipated to be a US$819.90 million industry that includes lottery gaming, sports betting (land-based and online casino), and online gaming. The most significant driver of growth in this sector was the state lottery operator, LONACI, which had an impressive record of producing a turnover of 561.24 billion FCFA (approx. US$930.00M) in 2024, an increase of 8.29% from 2023. LONACI paid out 288 billion FCFA in winnings during 2024. In addition to lottery gaming, the sports betting market is estimated to be at US$121.22 million for 2025 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.34% to reach US$899 million across all segments of the sports betting market by 2029. With the number of active players estimated to be between two and three million due to the increased penetration of smartphones, combined with a high percentage (50%+) of tech-savvy and engaged youth, the overall market is expected to grow significantly.
Market Size & Growth
LONACI (La Loterie Nationale de Côte d’Ivoire) aims to generate 629 billion FCFA in revenue in 2025 through digitalization and the introduction of new products. The overall revenue from gambling has benefited from the increasing number of people accessing the Internet. The online segments are experiencing rapid growth due to the explosion of betting across Francophone Africa. The player base is consistently large; the daily number of users continues to be high as a result of the convenience of mobile devices. However, limitations in the payment processing system will prevent total penetration of the market.
- 2024 LONACI Turnover: 561.24 billion FCFA (+8.29% YoY)
- 2025 Total Market: US$819.90m, growing to US$899m by 2029 (2.34% CAGR)
- Sports Betting Slice: US$121.22m in 2025
- Active Bettors: ~2-3 million, driven by urban youth
Popular Game Types
Sports betting dominates, particularly football (EPL, La Liga, Ligue 1), with crash games emerging as a top vertical for quick thrills. Lotteries lead via LONACI’s monopoly on draws and instant wins, while casinos focus on slots, tables, and live games in urban hubs like Abidjan. Poker and eSports gain traction among younger users, though sports retain 60-70% preference share.
Table 2. Revenue by Main Gambling Segment (2025)
| Segment | 2025 Revenue | Share of Market | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total gambling | ~US$564.8m | 100% | All verticals combined. |
| Sports betting | ~US$121.2m | ~20–25% | Mostly football-driven. |
| Casinos & casino games | ~US$171.1m | ~30% | Land-based and online casino games. |
| Lottery (LONACI-led) | ~US$250–280m equivalent | ~45–50% | Derived from LONACI turnover and Statista market structure. |
Player Demographics
Most online casino players are male (60-80%), aged between 19 and 40, with the majority (31-40) operating as active players in online casinos, and the majority of sports bettors are young (18-30). The largest volumes of young (19-25) bettors are 43%+. They prefer to wager via their mobile devices during short (10-30 minute) sessions. Female players comprise approximately 20-40% of players; there is an increasing number of casual players using slot machines. The preferred wagering trends among all player segments are for football wagers, generous bonus offers, and community-generated predictions using the WhatsApp messaging app. Best of all, the average LTV of a VIP wager is $1,500+.
- Age Breakdown: 19-25 (43%+), 26-35 (key cohort), 31-40 (casino leaders)
- Gender: 60-85% male; females rising in mobile/casino
- Behavior: Daily play (40%+), short bursts, brand-switching over churn
- Preferences: Football (top), promotions, crash games; VIPs (high spenders)
Table 3. Player Demographics and Behavior
| Dimension | Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Age groups | 19–25: ~43%+ of players | Core sports betting cohort. |
| Age groups | 26–35: major segment | Strong engagement in both sports betting and casino. |
| Age groups | 31–40: strong in casino | Higher average spending capacity. |
| Gender | 60–85% male | Female participation rising, especially in slots and casual games. |
| Session frequency | 40%+ play once or twice daily | High daily engagement driven by football fixtures. |
| Session length | 10–30 minutes typical; VIPs up to 60 minutes | Mobile-first behavior with short play sessions. |
| Game preferences | 60–70% sports betting, followed by lottery and casino | Football is the dominant betting vertical. |
Regulatory Landscape
The gambling system in the Ivory Coast is highly regulated by the government and has recently been augmented with digital supervision. Sports betting, lotteries, and most forms of online gambling except for gambling on casinos and ‘slot’ machines fall under the sole purview of LONACI. Permission to operate a regulated gaming business in the Ivory Coast must be obtained from both LONACI (as the regulator) and the Autorité de Régulation des Jeux de Hasard (“ARJH”). Through LONACI’s monopoly, this regulatory framework is intended to generate tax revenue for the government while maintaining consumer protection by requiring that anyone under the age of 18 not engage in any form of gambling; furthermore, it provides penalties to individuals who operate as unauthorized (unlicensed) gaming operators.
Overview of Existing Gambling Regulations
Gambling legislation establishes a prima facie case of state control over gambling; since 1970, LONACI has been responsible for regulating lotteries, core wagers, and sports betting. Act 2020-480 recognized the functions of ARJH as a regulatory body for combating illegal gambling activity. All land-based casinos must have distinct licensing requirements and will only be accessible to the public through LONACI’s government-licensed portal; regulations for online casinos currently remain limited, with no specific regulations governing how these sites can operate. Consumer protection measures include: anti-fraud controls, verification of age, responsible gaming participation requirements, and prohibitions against advertising to minors.
Licensing Requirements and Regulatory Authorities
To operate gaming and gambling, operators must obtain either LONACI Concession and/or ARJH Approval; these are obtained by submitting financials, operational plans, and tech compliance, such as player data protection. Regulatory approval is provided by ARJH for casinos/sports betting and LONACI for lotteries/online operations. The approval timeline is between 3 and 6 months; no information is provided on the cost, although it will include the cost of integration with banks, Orange Money, MTN, and secure platforms. Once an operator receives approval, they are required to conduct ongoing audits, report, and partner with local businesses.
| Authority | Role | Key Oversight Areas |
|---|---|---|
| LONACI | Monopoly operator & licensor | Lotteries, sports betting, online gambling (excluding casinos and slots). |
| ARJH | Regulator & enforcer | All gambling verticals, including casinos, compliance, and digital monitoring. |
| Ministry of Interior | Policy framework authority | Approval and authorization of new gambling concessions. |
Taxation and Compliance Details
Licensed operators face 30% corporate income tax on net profits; 15% withholding applies to winnings payouts and non-resident service payments. Players enjoy tax-free winnings, boosting participation. Compliance demands real-time reporting, anti-money laundering (AML) protocols, and ARJH audits; violations trigger fines or shutdowns.
- Corporate Tax: 30% on net income
- Withholding Tax: 15% on winnings/non-resident fees
- Player Winnings: 0% tax
- Compliance Tools: KYC, transaction logs, responsible gaming features
Table 4. Regulatory and Tax Overview
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Main regulator | Autorité de Régulation des Jeux de Hasard (ARJH) | Independent gambling regulator. |
| State operator | LONACI – Loterie Nationale de Côte d’Ivoire | Holds a monopoly on lotteries and several betting products. |
| Core law | Law n°2020-480 (27 May 2020) | Defines and structures ARJH’s mandate. |
| Legal age | 18+ for all gambling activities | Strictly enforced with sanctions. |
| Corporate income tax | 30% on operator net profit | Applies to all licensed gambling operators. |
| Withholding tax | 15% on winnings and non-resident services | Collected and withheld by operators. |
| Player winnings tax | 0% (players generally tax-free) | Winnings are usually not taxed at player level. |
| Digital monitoring platform | National platform launched in 2025 (LONACI–ARJH–Afitech CI) | Enables real-time transaction monitoring. |
Upcoming Legislative Changes
Digital centralization is the key component of 2025: The ARJH-LONACI-Afitech partnership created a nearly unified national platform for real-time transaction monitoring on October 2025, effectively placing an end to illegal gambling through public-private oversight. In addition, ARJH also announced that its strategic plan was aimed at addressing online issues from 2024 through 2028, through potential new licensing for compliant international providers and increased practical slot raids. Although there were no major tax increases announced, new enhanced regulations for virtual gaming are said to be on the way, with pending regulatory efforts throughout Francophone Africa. These changes have the goal of updating the market by the year 2026 and allowing for licensed growth.
Competitive Landscape
The iGaming market in the Ivory Coast gives the state the leading role through LONACI (Loterie Nationale de la Côte d’Ivoire), with additional access to online sports and casino betting through a few international companies due to the limited number of local licenses. LONACI runs the lotteries and some betting, generating a turnover of over FCFA 561 billion in 2024. Many international companies also run mobile platforms that operate in the Ivory Coast without being licensed by the state, despite limited oversight. Most casinos remain a niche product located in Abidjan, with an increasing number of joint ventures and partnerships, signalling the growth of this market.
Key Market Players
LONACI leads as the monopoly for lotteries, instant wins, and core sports betting, operating thousands of retail points and digital channels. International players dominate online: Fun88 excels in football/eSports odds; FB88 offers casino diversity; M88 provides user-friendly betting; 1XBET, official 2024 CAN partner, leverages influencers for mass appeal; Cloudbet pioneers crypto. Local casinos like Barrière l’Éléphant d’Or cater to tourists, but online internationals capture youth via apps.
Table 5. Key Operators and Market Focus
| Operator Type | Brand / Entity | Main Focus | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| State / local | LONACI | Lottery, instant win, retail and limited online betting | 561.24 billion FCFA turnover in 2024. |
| Land-based casino | Barrière l’Éléphant d’Or (Abidjan) | Slot machines and table games | Premium venue targeting urban, high-end clientele. |
| International online | Fun88 | Sports betting, eSports, casino | Strong football-focused promotions. |
| International online | FB88 | Online casino and sportsbook | Broad mix of casino games and betting markets. |
| International online | M88 | Sports betting and casino | Known for a clean and user-friendly interface. |
| International online | 1XBET | Sports betting | Heavy focus on football and local sponsorships. |
| International online | Cloudbet | Crypto sportsbook and online casino | Targets crypto-native and international users. |
Market Share Distribution
Exact shares lack transparency due to LONACI’s opacity and offshore prevalence, but estimates place LONACI at 70-85% in lotteries/retail (561B FCFA scale). Sports betting/online fragments: internationals hold 60-70% via unrestricted access, with 1XBET leading at ~30-40% during events like CAN; Fun88/FB88 split 20-30%. Overall market (US$820m in 2025) sees lotteries at 50%+, sports 20-25%, casino/emerging 25%.
- LONACI: 70-85% lotteries/retail
- Internationals (Sports/Online): 60-70% digital betting
- 1XBET Dominance: Peaks at 30-40% event-driven
- Casinos: <10%, urban-limited
Partnerships and Strategic Alliances
LONACI partners with Afitech CI and ARJH for the 2025 digital monitoring platform, enhancing transaction tracking and anti-illegal ops. LONACI-Sports4Africa alliance models licensed sports betting expansion, though new entrants face barriers. Internationals ally with local influencers (e.g., 1XBET’s CAN campaign) and payment providers like Orange Money for penetration. ALA seminars in Abidjan foster AI/security ties across African lotteries. These collaborations prioritize compliance amid ARJH’s crackdowns, positioning compliant players for growth.
Consumer Trends
The average daily playing time for Ivory Coast players is between 10 and 30 minutes, which is very high and driven by footballers’ passion and quick-win games like crash. The daily betting participation is over 40%, with most players having played at least once or twice that day. Most of their time spent playing bets on sporting events accounts for 60-70% of all bets placed, and most players are brand switchers based on the better odds and bonuses offered from one brand to another. The promotion of sports gambling to youth players and the gathering of community predictions among youth players are predominantly done via WhatsApp, as youth engage in impulsive and social behavior due to the increasing awareness about responsible gaming.
Player Behavior and Preferences
Behavior centers on short, frequent mobile bursts, peaking during football events (EPL, CAN, Ligue 1); VIPs show higher LTV via sustained play. Preferences: football (top), slots/crash for casuals, eSports emerging; women lean casual, men competitive sports.
- Daily engagement: 40%+ players, 10-60 min sessions
- Top picks: Football betting, bonuses, live odds
- Retention drivers: Promotions, social sharing
Payment Methods and Technological Trends
Mobile money dominates (Orange Money, MTN MoMo, Wave), enabling instant low-friction deposits amid low card penetration and cash reliance in rural areas. Crypto rises on platforms like Cloudbet; GIM-UEMOA supports cross-border, but fraud limits (down 64% via regs) push KYC. Tech trends: 50%+ smartphone access fuels app-first betting, ARJH’s 2025 platform tracks behaviors for personalization.
Table 6. Payment Methods and Technology
| Payment Method / Tech | Usage & Role | Advantages / Constraints |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile money (Orange Money, MTN MoMo, Wave) | Estimated 70–80% of online gambling deposits | Very high reach, instant transfers, supports low-value transactions. |
| Bank cards (Visa/Mastercard) | Limited adoption | Lower penetration and restricted access to credit cards. |
| Cash via retail agents | Around 15–20% of gambling transactions | Essential in rural areas but difficult to monitor and trace. |
| Crypto payments | Niche usage, growing on platforms like Cloudbet | Attractive to tech-savvy and cross-border users. |
| National monitoring platform | Real-time tracking of gambling payment flows | Strengthens AML controls, compliance, and migration to licensed channels. |
Social and Cultural Influences on iGaming
Football fervor integrates iGaming into social life, with peer groups and influencers normalizing bets across classes. Youth culture embraces “easy money” allure, but ARJH campaigns target addiction risks; lotteries are culturally accepted via LONACI trust. Islam in North Temperatures participation, yet urban boom persists.
Opportunities & Challenges
As a result of changes to regulations in 2025 and an anticipated market growth through 2031, there are opportunities for new entries into the online sports betting and casino space. In addition, investors can reach the younger demographic and take advantage of advances in the mobile space through the use of digital platforms that support compliance when scaling. Other opportunities for differentiation arise from recent increases in access to the internet and the integration of eSports and cryptocurrency.
Challenges exist, such as: LONACI’s monopoly in the lottery business; crackdowns on illegal operations; payment frictions (card limits); taxes of 30%+; and the requirement for compliance with real-time monitoring through rigorous compliance technology. In addition, certain obstacles will continue to present problems, such as fraud and low banking penetration, which will require partnerships with mobile money providers.
Investment priorities:
- Localized apps with a football focus.
- Responsible gaming tools for ARJH alignment.
- Crypto/mobile wallet hybrids.
Conclusion & Recommendations
The iGaming sector in the Ivory Coast combines its lottery heritage with the increasing popularity of online betting. Due to completed digital reforms in 2025, as well as demand from a generation of young people, that market has grown rapidly. However, LONACI, the national gaming authority, will regulate and create an environment for both foreign operators and local ones to compete. Mobile phone trends continue to move gaming into the future.
Operators are encouraged to obtain licensing from LONACI, use either the Orange or MTN payment systems, and create local versions of their websites that appeal to young men aged 19-35.
For investors, the focus should be on investing in compliant operators that offer an option to place bets with cryptocurrencies and keeping an eye on how ARJH is developing its business.
Looking ahead, the iGaming sector in the Ivory Coast will likely continue to experience between a 10-15% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) through 2031 as continued oversight by LONACI will instill investor confidence moving forward.
Data and Sources:
- Gambling Market Report 2025: Global insights including African trends,
- 6wresearch: Ivory Coast Online Gambling Market (2025-2031): Industry forecast and growth projections,
- Gambling Age: What is the Gambling Age in Ivory Coast? (Update 2025): Legal age, regulations overview,
- Wintips: List of top 5 Ivory Coast betting sites in 2025: Operator reviews and popularity,
- Africangambit: Ivory Coast Launches Digital Platform to Monitor Gambling: ARJH-LONACI tech partnership 2025,
- Gamblingtalk: Côte d’Ivoire’s LONACI reports record turnover of 561 Billion FCFA: 2024 revenue details,
- Statista: Gambling – Ivory Coast | Statista Market Forecast: Revenue, CAGR to 2029,
- Legalpilot: Is Gambling Legal in Ivory Coast? – Legal Pilot: Taxation, licensing 2025 update,
- Cms.law: Gambling law and regulation in Ivory Coast: CMS Expert Guide on authorities,
- Focusgn: Côte d’Ivoire strengthens gambling oversight: National platform launch
