Benin lottery adopts new responsible gambling policy with pre-launch risk controls
Benin National Lottery’s new framework brings risk checks into game development, while strengthening protections for players, minors and vulnerable groups.
Key takeaways:
- Benin’s National Lottery (LNB) has adopted a new responsible-gambling policy covering the development and launch of new games.
- Potential risks must be assessed before a new game is launched, with mitigation measures defined where risks are identified.
- The policy strengthens protections for minors through age verification, measures to prevent underage access and action when requirements are not followed.
- Players will have access to self-exclusion and player-limitation measures, subject to applicable regulations and technical capabilities.
- Gambling advertising will face tighter responsible-marketing requirements, including restrictions on misleading claims and suggestions that gambling can guarantee financial success.
- LNB will develop additional procedures covering excessive gambling, complaints, staff training, distributor controls, monitoring, audits and its responsible-gambling action plan.
Benin.- The Benin National Lottery (LNB) has introduced a new gambling policy that puts risk assessment and player protection into the game-development process, requiring potential risks to be identified and mitigation measures defined before new products reach the market. The policy applies to the development, modification and launch of LNB games in Benin and also addresses risks linked to gambling channels and new technologies.
The 20-page Responsible Gaming Policy is dated September 23, 2026, and was published on LNB’s website on September 29. Signed by LNB Director General Marius Adanzounon in Cotonou, it sets out the lottery’s approach to responsible gambling as it develops, modifies and manages its games.
That starts before a game is launched. LNB says potential risks should be considered when a game is being designed or changed, including its format, pace of play, accessibility, stakes and how winnings work. Risks linked to new technologies and different gambling channels must also be taken into account.
Where risks are identified, LNB requires mitigation measures before launch. The policy reads, in an English translation from the original French: “Mitigation or risk-reduction measures must be defined before the product is placed on the market.” The policy further reads: “Measures must be proportionate to the identified risks and adapted to the different gambling channels.”
Players are also meant to receive clear information about LNB’s games, how to take part, the risks involved and the protection or assistance available.
The policy sets out a principle: “Gambling should be practised as a leisure activity within limits compatible with the player’s capacities and situation.”
The policy also puts a strong focus on keeping minors away from gambling. The measures include age controls and other steps to prevent underage access, while distributors and employees will receive awareness support. Where the rules are not followed, corrective measures can be taken. Commercial messages must also be kept away from minors.
Players will also have access to self-exclusion and player-limitation options where regulations and technical systems allow. LNB says its staff will receive training and awareness support, particularly those dealing with players, distribution, communication and game oversight.
The policy also brings distributors, partners and service providers into the responsible-gambling framework. Measures can be included in contracts and distribution procedures, as well as training and control programmes.
Tighter controls and oversight
Advertising is another focus. LNB says gambling messages must not mislead players or give an unbalanced picture of its games. They must also avoid suggesting that gambling can solve financial problems or guarantee financial success. The policy calls on LNB to “promote responsible commercial and advertising practices.”
Oversight will sit with a Responsible Gaming Committee, which will coordinate implementation, examine risks, review controls and follow action plans. Internal audit and legal functions are represented on the committee, while LNB’s operational departments will implement the requirements within their respective areas.
LNB will track how the policy is working through a set of indicators, including staff training, protections for minors, complaints, incidents and self-exclusion. The lottery will also look at its awareness work, distributor controls and evaluation results, while periodic audits will assess implementation and effectiveness.
Complaints and significant incidents will be recorded and reviewed by LNB, with the findings incorporated into its risk analysis and used to make improvements.
There is still more work to come. The policy says a series of operational procedures will progressively supplement the framework, covering areas such as minor protection, self-exclusion, excessive gambling, new-game assessments, advertising, complaints and staff training.
The procedures will also cover distributor controls, monitoring, audits and the lottery’s responsible-gambling action plan. The policy will take effect once approved by LNB’s General Directorate and is due to be reviewed at least every two years. It can be reviewed sooner if regulatory, operational or risk developments warrant it.
