TLDR
- Angola’s Institute of Games Supervision (ISJ) opened a 30-day licensing window for gambling operators.
- The transitional regime took effect on July 1, following a Circular presented on June 29.
- Operators can secure provisional approval while the government finalizes rules under the Gaming Activity Law.
- The rule covers operators whose licenses lapsed before or after the law took effect, if they notified the regulator.
- Angola’s gambling revenue grew 75.1% over the past year, with parafiscal revenue up 24% in February.
Angola’s gambling regulator has given operators a short window to get their paperwork in order. The Institute of Games Supervision, known as ISJ, opened a 30-day licensing period starting July 1.
The move gives operators a chance to secure provisional approval. This comes as the country works to finish rules tied to its Gaming Activity Law.
The regulator introduced the change through a Circular. It was presented on June 29 during a session at the Michael Kennedy Auditorium.
ISJ says the goal is to keep the sector stable and legally compliant. Operators can keep running their businesses while final regulations are written.
“The document aims to ensure legal compliance and safeguard the stability of the sector,” ISJ stated. The agency said this covers the period until formal regulations are published and future public tenders are completed.
Angola Continues Gambling Reform
The Gaming Activity Law was enacted in October 2024. It was designed to update how Angola’s gambling sector is supervised.
The transitional rules are meant to keep the market steady. They also give the government time to finish detailed regulations and prepare licensing tenders.
The Circular applies to operators whose licenses expired after the new law took effect. These businesses now have a path to keep operating during the transition.
It also covers operators whose licenses lapsed before the law was passed. Those companies qualify only if they already told the regulator they planned to stay active.
Under the new system, eligible operators have 30 working days to apply. They must file through the Gaming Supervision System.
ISJ says this system will help standardize the transition. The agency expects it to bring more predictability to the process.
Strong Interest From Operators
The clarification session was held last Monday. It drew interest from operators looking to understand the new requirements.
Regulators walked attendees through how the transitional regime works. They also explained what license holders need to do to stay compliant.
Angola’s gambling sector has posted strong numbers this year. Reform efforts have coincided with rising revenue figures.
Earlier this year, ISJ reported that parafiscal revenue for February climbed above Kz2.8 billion. That figure equals about €3.1 million.
This marked a 24% increase from January. The growth was driven mainly by stronger tax receipts.
Overall gaming revenue in Angola has grown by 75.1% over the past year. The figures point to a sector expanding even as new rules take shape.
Operators now have until early August to apply for provisional licenses under the 30-day window that began July 1.
