Background
Cote d'Ivoire created its gambling regulator, the ARJH, under Law 2020-480 in May 2020. The state lottery LONACI holds an exclusive concession for online games, excluding casino and slots. The Sports4Africa deal is the only LONACI online bookmaker partnership of its kind. With smartphone use above 50%, this is the largest French-speaking market in Africa, but the structure limits entry for private operators.
How do you apply for the ARJH licence?
Approach via LONACI partnership rather than direct private licensing. ARJH oversight applies to LONACI operations and any approved partnerships.
How much does the ARJH licence cost?
LONACI holds the exclusive online sports-betting concession monopoly under Loi 2020-480. Casino and slots are not licensed domestically. Operators with casino interest are effectively offshore-only.
How long does the ARJH licence take?
LONACI partnership is the only structured online operator pathway. No private competing-licence framework for sports. Casino remains unregulated.
What are the ongoing compliance obligations for ARJH?
Standard Ivorian AML expectations. RG framework not separately elaborated for online operations.
What are the marketing rules under ARJH?
LONACI marketing dominates the regulated channel. Offshore operators target the unregulated casino vertical.
The honest read
Cote d'Ivoire fits operators with a LONACI partnership plan or a serious French-speaking Africa strategy. The casino vertical stays outside the regulated framework.
Considering ARJH for your operator?
Operator size, current portfolio, target markets, timeline. WhatsApp the operator profile. Same-day reply with a first read on whether the ARJH licence is the right answer or whether something else fits better.
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