The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) is calling for new applicants to run the country’s National Lottery, a few weeks after suspending the licence of the prior operator.
Appealing via the National Lottery and Gambling Commission (NLGC), the RDB is appealing for ‘qualified and reputable operators’ to run the country’s National Lottery.
Interested applicants have until this Friday, 31 August 2025, to apply for the tender. Tender applications have a number of requirements for those wishing to bid for the contract.
In particular, the RDB wants applicants with experience of operating national lotteries or similar large scale systems, that have sufficient financial capacity and technical expertise, and can prove compliance with Rwanda’s AML and CTF frameworks.
Applications must also outline their corporate profile, ownership structure, their proposed operational approach, platform technology, distribution channels, governance, and how proceeds from lottery funds will be allocated.
“The Government of Rwanda is committed to working with reputable operators to re-establish the National Lottery as a responsible national undertaking that protects citizens, ensures integrity, and delivers maximum public and economic benefit,” the RDB”s statement summarised.
The inclusion of ‘sufficient financial capacity’ is an interesting caveat to the applications, given that the last licence holder was dismissed due to financial inadequacies according to Rwandan media.
According to InyaRwanda, Inzozi Lotto’s licence was revoked due to the firm’s financial losses meaning it fell short of contractual obligations. The company acknowledged market challenges but stated that it wanted to re-enter the market – it may reapply for the licence by the 31 October deadline.
A RDB statement shared by InyaRwanda read: “The Rwanda Development Board (RDB), through the National Lottery and Gaming Commission (NLGC), informs the public that the license granted to Inzozi Lotto (Carousel Ltd) to operate the National Lottery has been revoked due to failure to adhere to contractual obligations, laws, and regulations governing the gaming sector.
“As of now, Inzozi Lotto is no longer authorized to operate the National Lottery in Rwanda.”