TLDR Rwanda has licensed Betway, ElephantBet and ForteBet to operate in the country The approvals follow a licensing freeze that started in 2024 Gambling revenue tax jumped from 13% to 40% under the new rules Tax on player winnings rose from 15% to 25% Betway and ForteBet can offer sports betting and casino games, while ElephantBet is approved for sports betting only
Rwanda has granted new gambling licenses to three operators as part of an ongoing effort to rebuild its betting industry. The Rwanda Development Board, working through the National Lottery and Gambling Commission, approved Betway, ElephantBet and ForteBet.
The move is one of the clearest signs that Rwanda’s gambling market is reopening. It comes after a licensing pause that lasted more than a year.
Officials began the freeze in 2024. They used the time to write a new national gambling policy for the country.
The pause ended in August 2025. Operators returned to a market that looked very different from before.
Higher Taxes, Stricter Rules
The new policy brought major tax changes. Gross gaming revenue tax rose sharply, from 13% to 40%.
The withholding tax on player winnings also went up. It increased from 15% to 25%.
Rwandan officials say the changes are meant to improve oversight of the industry. They also want better tax collection from gambling companies.
The government hopes the new rules will reshape how gambling contributes to the economy. Officials describe this as part of a long-term goal.
Not everyone agrees the plan will work as intended. H2 Gambling Capital has warned that higher costs could hurt profits for licensed operators.
The group also said some players might turn to unregulated gambling websites instead. This could happen if legal betting becomes more expensive to use.
Different Licenses for Different Operators
The three