Burundi national lottery reports progress on regulation, revenue and support programmes
LONA has established systems to monitor suspected fraudulent gambling websites.
Burundi.- Burundi’s gambling regulator and operator, the National Lottery of Burundi (LONA), has hosted a press briefing to outline recent industry developments and reiterate its role in regulation and national development. During the engagement on Friday, March 20, LONA CEO Fabrice Niragira presented the organisation’s achievements for the first half of the 2025–2026 fiscal year, highlighting progress in revenue generation, regulatory oversight and contributions to public welfare initiatives.
Niragira stated that LONA has established systems to monitor suspected fraudulent gambling websites, including Lumicach, Payway, Cashtel, iHela and Bancobu e-note, to prevent them from misleading consumers.
He noted that some informal betting houses have been operating outside established regulatory guidelines, and that LONA plans to implement new rules requiring them to meet licensing standards before continuing operations. The move aims to ensure that all operators follow legal and safety requirements that protect consumers and maintain orderly market conduct.
In addition to its oversight role, LONA has undertaken a series of social projects in the education sector. The agency donated 100 beds to Lycée Musema boarding school in Kayanza Commune and supplied educational materials to other schools in Burunga and Gitega provinces. It also provided chairs to institutions located in Bubanza, Cibitoke (Bujumbura region), Mutakura and Winterekwa.
During the period, LONA also completed renovation works at Lycée Technique Communal Mitakataka in Bubanza Province. The facility was officially inaugurated, and the agency equipped the school with ten computers and high-speed internet access for use throughout the academic year. Niragira stated that these interventions demonstrate LONA’s commitment to nation-building beyond the gambling industry.
The CEO reiterated the list of gambling companies currently authorised by LONA to operate in Burundi, including 1xbet, Bubet, King’s Investment, 1Tbet, Megalotto, Sigma, Lydia Ludic, 888 Starz and Rahisi Bet. He emphasised the importance of strict compliance with regulatory standards and warned against engaging with unlicensed operators.
Niragira added that LONA is advancing efforts to formalise regulations governing betting venues and digital platforms, with the aim of ensuring compliance with legal requirements and supporting economic development. The update reflects the regulator’s dual approach of tightening industry controls while maintaining its statutory mandate to channel gambling revenues into public sector initiatives.
