Best Betting Companies in Rwanda

The Republic of Rwanda is a landlocked east-central African country neighbouring Uganda and the DR of Congo, among others. It gained its independence from Belgium in 1962, and long periods of instability and civil conflict followed. Locals love sports, especially football, despite the fact that there has been no major international success, either on a team or on an individual level. 

The national football league attracts thousands of fans, especially Kigali's APR FC, the country's biggest club. As for the gambling sector, it is regulated and steadily developing. Gambling in Rwanda is legal in all its forms. There are casinos, lotteries, bookmaker shops and online operators, both local and international. Rwanda sports betting is very popular among locals, and the online sector is steadily growing too.

Best Rwanda Betting Sites

Apart from the few locally operating bookies, there are numerous international ones also available. We hereby list the best betting companies in Rwanda. These stand out for their extensive coverage of the biggest football leagues and also for the many offers and special bets one can find on an everyday basis.

Gambling in Rwanda - 5 Things to Know

• 1
  All forms of gambling are legal in Rwanda
• 2
  There are many bookmaker shops in major cities
• 3
  Concerning the online sector, only sports betting in Rwanda is regulated
• 4
  There is taxation on players’ winnings when betting with local bookies
• 5
  Many international bookmakers legally accept local players

General info

⏩Population: 12.500.000

⏩Active players: 1.500.000

⏩Currency: Rwandan franc (RWF)

⏩Regulated gambling products: Lotteries, casinos, sports betting

⏩Operator types: Lottery, casinos, sportsbooks, licensed online bookies & unlicensed casinos

⏩Designated authority: The Rwanda Gaming Corporation

⏩Status: Regulated

Online Betting in Rwanda: The Law Framework

Gambling in Rwanda is legal and regulated in all its forms. The country has a long history of gambling, however, it got 'official' in 2008, when the first casino opened. There has been a steady effort to regulate the sector; and in early 2012, law 58/2011 came into existence. This is still-with a few amendments-the sector's main piece of legislation.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry is responsible for maintaining the set standards; since 2013, though, the Rwanda Gaming Corporation has been in charge in an effort to specify actions even more. Betting companies in Rwanda pay a 13% tax, contributing significant amounts to the local economy.

Interested entities may apply for a gambling license, whether it concerns a casino or a betting one. However, online betting in Rwanda remains unregulated, with the exception of sports betting.

Gorilla Games, Premier Bet and Africa Bets are the three main operators legally offering online betting services, too. There is no clear procedure for acquiring an online betting license; still, it is given to companies that already have a physical presence in the country (bookmaker shops).

With no laws against Rwanda online gambling, players must simply play at a legal bookmaker, either holding a local license or one from another respective authority. Just like every single bookmaker we list in our analysis does.

Essential Info for Bettors

All forms of gambling are legal; players can visit casinos and bookmakers’ shops and play the lottery as long as they’re at least 18 years old. Online gambling is not regulated, but do not worry; because sports betting is.

Keep in mind that when betting with local bookies, a 15% tax applies to winnings above 30,000 RWF. This, of course, does not apply when you place a Rwanda bet at international bookies.

Also, there are many unlicensed African bookies that offer their services. Beware and try to limit your betting to the vast selection of bookmakers we list. Every online betting Rwanda site we list is checked by our team before we list them; therefore, they’re totally trustworthy and legitimate operators.

What’s more, they provide much more betting options than their counterparts do. Last yet not least, authorities do treat online betting as being totally legal; as long as players engage in it through legitimate bookmakers.

How to Deposit at Online Bookies

Since it is legal to gamble online, banks do not block transactions or monitor players’ transactions at any point. So, if you want to place an online bet, Rwanda offers quite a few payment options; major e-wallets like ecoPayz accept local registrations, offering reliable, fast transactions. On the other hand, Skrill and Neteller do not operate in the country.

Internet penetration is not very high, reaching 32%, according to reports. Cryptocurrency betting in Rwanda is not very popular either. However, it is reportedly gaining more fans. Just keep in mind that an increasing number of bookmakers are already offering crypto betting.

Gambling Regulations in Other Nations

Apart from Rwanda, there are various nations located in close proximity. Whether you are planning a visit or considering a permanent move, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the gambling laws in them. To save you the trouble of conducting research, we have compiled dedicated guides. Please feel free to explore the list below, where you will find valuable information on the specific regulations.

⏩ Best Betting Sites in Tanzania

⏩ Top DR Congo Bookmakers 

⏩ Best Betting Sites in Uganda

Online Betting in Rwanda: What the Future Holds

The betting Rwanda sector is already developing at a fast pace, especially if someone compares it to that of its neighbouring countries. The regulation of land-based activities brought the spotlight on what the players wanted, and that was online gaming.

Rwanda online betting is already one step ahead, being the only regulated online game in the country. Regulating the sector as a whole could be the next step. Still though, regarding the betting part, there’s not much to be done; introducing less taxation on operators and players could be the only thing for officials to reconsider.