Carousel seeks arbitration over Rwanda lottery contract cancellation
Carousel argues that its operations were undermined after other lottery brands entered the Rwandan market.
Rwanda.- Carousel Ltd, the operator behind Rwanda’s former national lottery brand Inzozi Lotto, has taken its dispute with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to arbitration after the government terminated its licence and appointed a new lottery operator.
The dispute centres on a 2018 agreement signed between Carousel Ltd and Rwanda’s Ministry of Sports to run the national lottery and generate funding for sports development. Under the deal, the operator was required to increase its revenue contribution to the government from 15.5 per cent in the first year to 24.5 per cent by the ninth year. The agreement also required 47 per cent of lottery revenue to be paid out as prizes, while 20 per cent was allocated to sports development programmes.
However, in 2025, the RDB decided to revoke Carousel’s licence through the National Lottery and Gaming Commission (NLGC). The regulator said the company failed to meet contractual and regulatory obligations linked to its national lottery agreement.
Carousel argues that its operations were undermined after other lottery brands entered the Rwandan market, despite an exclusivity clause in its contract. The company claims competing operators reduced ticket sales and weakened its ability to meet financial obligations.
The operator also disputes the RDB’s authority to terminate the agreement, arguing that the agency was not a signatory to the original contract. However, a June 2024 Prime Minister’s order formally designated RDB as the regulator of gaming activities in Rwanda.
The case is being handled by the Kigali International Arbitration Centre (KIAC). While arbitration proceedings continue, Rwanda’s Cabinet approved a new agreement on April 2, 2026, granting Moja Rwanda Limited rights to operate the national lottery.
Reports indicate the government is seeking about Rwf680m (€420,000) from Carousel for 2024-related obligations. In 2023, Inzozi Lotto reportedly paid Rwf640m (€395,000) to the government as part of its revenue-sharing commitments.
At its highest point, the lottery generated more than Rwf600m (€370,000) in monthly sales. By mid-2025, more than Rwf2.6bn (€1.6m) had reportedly been paid out in prizes, while projected government earnings over the 10-year agreement were estimated at over Rwf10bn (€6.2m).
