Gabonaise des Jeux holds first board meeting, transparency in gambling sector still awaited

The GDJ was established to end the opacity in a sector previously deemed uncontrollable, with a mission to operate, monitor, and aggregate gambling activities. While the strategic plan, budgets, and internal regulations were adopted, no financial figures were released, which is not unusual for a newly formed entity. However, expectations for transparency are high, as the GDJ was presented as the instrument to achieve this.

The state anticipates nearly 1.3 billion FCFA in revenue from gambling taxes in 2026, a figure publicly stated in the finance law. The government previously noted a lack of real oversight, illegal operators, and untraceable funds in the sector. An earlier company, e-Tech, was tasked with centralizing transactions for better tracking and taxation.

In late December 2025, the state decided to directly take control, creating the GDJ, under which private operators now function. The goal is to better track money circulating in the sector, which remains largely invisible. Questions persist regarding which operators have been authorized, the cost of licenses, and the revenue share for the state via the GDJ.

The exact role of e-Tech alongside the GDJ and its ability to consolidate betting volumes are also unclear. Bonjean Mbandza, Chairman of the Board, linked the GDJ's creation to President Brice Clotai