Liberia adds prediction markets to gambling regulatory framework
Operators must obtain NLA approval, hold at least US$500,000 in paid-up capital and meet new rules on market integrity, player funds and anti-money laundering.
Key takeaways:
- Liberia has formally brought prediction markets under its gambling regulatory framework through Resolution No. 005 of 2026.
- Operators must obtain a dedicated licence or operate under a partnership approved by the National Lottery Authority (NLA) board before offering prediction markets in Liberia.
- Licensed operators must maintain paid-up capital of at least US$500,000 and pay a US$80,000 licence fee.
- Prediction markets may be based on lawful, verifiable events, but contracts linked to a person’s death, criminal activity or the outcome of a Liberian election are prohibited.
- Operators must publish market rules, set maximum exposure limits, identify outcome sources, establish dispute procedures, keep player funds separate from business funds and implement anti-manipulation and anti-money laundering measures.
Liberia.- Liberia has formally brought prediction markets under its gambling regulatory framework, introducing licensing rules that will permit approved operators to offer contracts tied to future events and verifiable outcomes. The requirements, contained in Resolution No. 005 of 2026, establish prediction markets as a distinct category of gaming activity, separate from sports betting markets covered by existing sports betting licences.
Operators must now obtain a dedicated licence or operate under a partnership approved by the National Lottery Authority (NLA) board before offering prediction markets to customers in Liberia. They must maintain paid-up capital of at least US$500,000 and pay a licence fee of US$80,000 to operate prediction markets. The rules permit markets based on lawful, verifiable events but prohibit contracts linked to a person’s death, criminal activity or the outcome of a Liberian election.
Licensed operators must publish market rules, establish maximum exposure limits and identify the sources used to determine outcomes. They must also establish procedures for resolving disputes, keep player funds separate from business funds and implement measures to prevent market manipulation and money laundering.
The new framework also allows the NLA to enter commercial partnerships covering prediction markets and lottery products. These may take the form of joint ventures, concession agreements, technical-service contracts or platform licensing deals, subject to board approval where required. The partnerships may also extend to draw-based lotteries, instant-win games, numerical games, keno and a proposed national online lottery platform.
Major partnership deals require ratification by the NLA board and must specify the parties’ ownership interests, financial obligations, data rights, access to the planned Central Lottery Management System and procedures for ending agreements or resolving disputes.
Partners, their directors and individuals holding at least 10 per cent beneficial ownership must meet the authority’s suitability requirements. Operators must disclose politically exposed persons and obtain board approval for related-party transactions involving NLA officials.
