Benin’s National Lottery plans 1,500 new terminals after profit jumps 60%
Benin’s lottery operator is expanding its distribution network and building on the growth of its sports-betting product after reporting stronger first-half profitability.
Benin.- Benin’s National Lottery (LNB SA) plans to deploy 1,500 new terminals during the second half of 2026 after reporting a 60 per cent increase in net profit in the first six months of the year.
LNB reported net profit of FCFA1.348bn (US$2.4m), compared with FCFA841m (US$1.5m) in the same period of 2025. Revenue increased 4 per cent to FCFA49.937bn (US$87.8m), from FCFA48.148bn (US$84.7m) a year earlier.
The figures are contained in LNB’s 2026 First-Half Activity Report (English translation of the French-language title “Rapport d’Activités du Premier Semestre 2026”), dated July 30, 2026. The report was published alongside the statutory auditors’ report on their limited review of the interim financial statements.
LNB said: “The first half of 2026 confirms the relevance of LNB SA’s transformation strategy launched at the beginning of the year.”
The first quarter was marked by an acceleration in LNB’s sports-betting product, while the second quarter saw the launch of a new Loto 5/90 variant on April 13. Player winnings increased 7 per cent to FCFA40.970bn (US$72.1m), with LNB attributing the increase to the growing contribution of high-player-return products, particularly sports betting, to revenue.
However, gross gaming revenue (GGR) fell 9 per cent to FCFA8.967bn (US$15.8m). Operating profit increased 40 per cent to FCFA1.783bn (US$3.1m), while operating expenses fell 17 per cent to FCFA7.184bn (US$12.6m).
LNB attributed the stronger profitability to operating-cost control and revenue from partnerships with other sports-betting operators.
Second-half expansion plans
LNB said it was entering the second half with “renewed confidence”. The operator plans to deploy 1,500 new terminals, increase the number of game draws and reactivate inactive players. It will also expand into rural areas and one-off events through mobile teams, while reopening four pilot sales outlets for LNB products.
The operator plans to launch new scratch cards linked to cultural and identity celebrations. LNB said the measures should help consolidate its performance and accelerate growth in the second half.
The expansion comes as LNB continues a broader transformation programme under managing director Marius Adanzounon, who took over leadership of the company in June.
The latest results follow LNB shareholders’ approval in July of a FCFA3.438bn (US$6.0m) gross dividend for 2025, as the lottery operator outlined ambitions to expand its presence across Francophone Africa.
The H1 report highlights the growing contribution of sports betting and other high-player-return products to LNB’s revenue, while the operator prepares to expand its physical distribution network.
The accompanying auditors’ report states that a limited review was conducted on LNB’s interim financial statements for the period ended June 30, 2026. The auditors concluded that they had not identified any matters indicating that the statements were not, in all material respects, prepared in accordance with the applicable revised OHADA accounting framework.
