Angola’s Gambling Regulator announces all raffle and prize contests must get authorisation
The Gaming Supervision Institute warns businesses, community groups and non-profits that prior approval is mandatory for any prize-based activity across the country.
Angola.- Angola’s gaming sector is facing stricter oversight as the Gaming Supervision Institute (ISJ) announces that all raffles, contests and promotional games offering prizes must now receive prior approval. The move is aimed at improving transparency, protecting participants and ensuring compliance across all promotional activities, with the announcement issued on October 28.
ISJ, the country’s official gambling regulator, oversees casinos, lotteries, promotional games, raffles and contests, enforcing Angolan gaming law and promoting integrity in the sector.
The ISJ stated in an official notice: “The ISJ hereby informs all public and private entities, whether for-profit or non-profit, of the requirement to obtain prior authorisation for carrying out games of chance, raffles and contests that result in the awarding of prizes.”
Under the new rules, any organisation, whether a business, community group or non-profit, must submit requests for approval at least 30 days before launching a prize-based activity. All applications must be submitted through the Gaming Supervision System at www.ssj.minfin.gov.ao, allowing ISJ to track and monitor every event. Organisers are warned that “no last-minute giveaways or pop-up competitions” will be allowed without regulatory oversight.
Skill-based games also subject to ISJ rules
The regulator clarified that this requirement applies to games where prizes depend on skill, knowledge or ability, as defined in Article 51(3) of Law No. 17/24 on Gaming Activities.
The notice added: “The ISJ reiterates its full readiness to support promoters in strict compliance with applicable legislation, in order to foster transparency, reliability and confidence in promotional gaming activities conducted throughout the national territory.”
The announcement underscores Angola’s commitment to strengthening gaming oversight and aligns with a broader regional trend across Africa, where regulators are cracking down on unlicensed promotions and prize-based activities. For promoters, the message is clear: play by the rules or face consequences.
