Loterie Nationale du Burundi
Burundi's publicly owned national lottery and gambling regulator.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Loterie Nationale du Burundi, commonly abbreviated LNB or LONA, is Burundi's publicly owned national lottery organization and a central institution in the country's gambling system. Its role has extended beyond the operation of lottery games: it has regulated gambling activity, operated sports betting, owned or jointly participated in gambling venues, and licensed selected private operators. The organization operates within a tightly controlled market in which most forms of gambling require authorization and unlicensed activity is officially prohibited. LONA's legal framework was reorganized under Decree No. 100/231 of 11 December 1989. The decree provides the principal historical reference for the organization's institutional role, although the available reference material does not establish an original founding year. In practice, LONA has functioned as both a commercial public enterprise and a public-control mechanism for gambling. Its activities have included the national lottery, sports betting and participation in the Lydia Ludic Burundi casino in Bujumbura. The casino opened in February 2001 and is associated with Pefaco Ibellia SA and businessman Jacques Renard, with the wider Lydia Ludic network managed by Grupo Pefaco of Barcelona. The venue is located in Bujumbura's Asian Quarter and has offered casino-style entertainment and gaming facilities. The organization has also licensed Rahisibet, an online sportsbook that offers sports wagering and a limited selection of casino slots. In November 2020, LONA authorized the mobile operator Lumitel to offer a lottery to its subscribers. That service was launched on 1 July 2021, extending lottery distribution to mobile users. These developments illustrate the shift from traditional physical lottery and betting channels toward mobile and online products. LONA's regulatory role has repeatedly intersected with public concerns about illegal gambling, consumer protection and the social effects of betting. Authorities have occasionally raided illegal casinos and seized equipment, while the legal position has remained restrictive. Article 463 of Burundi's Penal Code, revised on 29 December 2017, prohibits games of chance in public or publicly accessible places and in other locations freely open to players, subject to the applicable regulatory framework. At the same time, offshore online gambling remains accessible, and local operators have not always been considered equally likely targets for enforcement. The organization's governance came under scrutiny in 2021 when Burundi authorities temporarily closed gambling houses and reports alleged that LONA's general manager and commercial director were being investigated over suspected corruption and alleged illicit payments connected with gaming licenses. The general manager denied wrongdoing and said that twelve gaming companies had been approved after paying the required license fee. LONA also suspended games while reviewing gambling rules, and employees of the lottery, casino and sports-betting venues were reportedly suspended without pay for two months. In 2023, the Council of Ministers adopted a strategic plan for gambling control covering 2023 to 2035. The plan sought to limit and supervise consumption, regulate operators, restrict gambling rooms in poor or working-class neighborhoods and manage the expiry of existing concessions. One stated direction was for LONA to cease commercial activities and transition into a purely regulatory gambling agency. Implementation and the final institutional status of that proposed transformation remain unclear in the available material. Regulatory modernization continued in 2024. N-Soft announced that, in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Commerce, its technology would be deployed to supervise Burundi's gambling industry, with LONA as the principal user. The planned system was intended to monitor lotteries, online platforms, sports betting and horse racing in its first phase, followed by casino operations and slot machines. It would collect information on player registrations, game results and jackpot distributions and calculate betting revenue and profits. LONA therefore occupies an unusual position: it is simultaneously a public lottery brand, a participant in gambling operations and the proposed core of a more formal national oversight system.
History
Loterie Nationale du Burundi is the public lottery institution of Burundi and is also described as the country's gambling regulator. The available historical record does not identify a precise original founding date. Its institutional framework was reorganized by Decree No. 100/231 of 11 December 1989, which remains the key legal reference associated with the organization. LONA's responsibilities have included operating the national lottery, conducting sports betting and regulating other gambling activity. It has also participated in gambling venues. The Lydia Ludic Burundi casino opened in February 2001 in Bujumbura. The casino is associated with Pefaco Ibellia SA and businessman Jacques Renard, while the wider Lydia Ludic operation is linked to Grupo Pefaco of Barcelona. LONA's role reflects the model in which a public company holding a gambling monopoly partners with private casino operators. Burundi's gambling framework is restrictive. Article 463 of Law No. 1/27 of 29 December 2017, which revised the Penal Code, prohibits games of chance in public places, publicly accessible locations and other places freely open to people wishing to gamble. LONA has occasionally participated in enforcement actions against illegal casinos, including raids and seizure of equipment. Nevertheless, the available account indicates that some local and offshore online gambling services have remained accessible. The organization expanded into mobile distribution when it authorized Lumitel on 24 November 2020 to provide a lottery to subscribers. The mobile lottery launched on 1 July 2021. LONA has also licensed Rahisibet, an online sportsbook offering sports betting and a limited number of casino slots. LONA faced a major governance controversy in 2021. A report alleged that its general manager and commercial director were under investigation for suspected corruption involving gaming licenses. The allegations arose during a period when Burundi's president had ordered gambling houses to close temporarily and state investigators were reportedly examining the sector. The general manager rejected the allegations, stating that twelve gaming companies had been approved and had paid the required license fee. LONA subsequently ordered games suspended while gambling regulations were reviewed. Employees of the lottery, casino and sports-betting venues were reported to have been suspended for two months without pay. In July 2023, Burundi's Council of Ministers adopted a strategic plan covering gambling control from 2023 through 2035. The plan aimed to limit and supervise gambling consumption, regulate operators and prevent gambling rooms from being established in poor or working-class neighborhoods. It also contemplated the end of some concession contracts and a structural change under which LONA would stop commercial activities and become a purely regulatory agency. The available sources do not establish whether that transition was completed. Regulatory digitization was announced in February 2024. N-Soft said its technology would be implemented with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Commerce to supervise the country's eight existing gambling providers. LONA would be the main user. The first stage was intended to cover lotteries, online platforms, sports betting and horse racing, while a second stage would include casino operations and slot machines. The system was designed to consolidate player-registration data, game outcomes, jackpot distributions, betting revenue and profit calculations. In May 2024, the finance minister also identified LONA among public enterprises that had not paid dividends, without publishing a financial amount in the cited material.
- 2024
Digital gambling-monitoring system announced
[1]N-Soft announced technology intended to help LONA monitor lottery, online, sports-betting, horse-racing and later casino activity.
- 2023
2023–2035 gambling strategy adopted
[1]The Council of Ministers adopted a long-term plan to control gambling consumption, supervise operators and potentially transform LONA into a dedicated regulatory agency.
- 2021
Mobile lottery launches
[1]The Lumitel mobile lottery began operating on 1 July 2021.
- 2020
Lumitel receives mobile-lottery authorization
[1]LONA authorized Lumitel to distribute a lottery to mobile subscribers.
- 2017
Revised Penal Code strengthens gambling restrictions
[1]Article 463 of the revised Penal Code prohibited games of chance in public and publicly accessible settings, forming part of the restrictive environment in which LONA operates.
- 2001
Lydia Ludic Burundi casino opens
[1]The Lydia Ludic Burundi casino opened in Bujumbura in February, in a partnership involving LONA and private-sector participants.
- 1989
Institutional reorganization under Decree No. 100/231
[1]The National Lottery of Burundi operated under the framework of a decree dated 11 December 1989 that reorganized the institution and defined its place in the national gambling system.
Products and positioning
State-owned national lottery and public gambling-control institution with a dual commercial and regulatory role.
Lottery
National lottery
LONA's core public-facing activity is the operation of Burundi's national lottery. Specific game names, draw formats, prize structures and distribution figures are not identified in the available reference material.
Mobile lottery · 2021
Lumitel mobile lottery
A mobile lottery authorized by LONA for Lumitel subscribers. Authorization was granted in November 2020 and the service launched on 1 July 2021, extending lottery access through a telecommunications channel.
Sports betting
Sports betting
LONA operates or supervises sports betting within Burundi and has licensed private providers. The available material identifies Rahisibet as an authorized online sportsbook, but does not provide a complete list of betting products or current operating conditions.
Casino · 2001
Lydia Ludic Burundi
A casino in Bujumbura that opened in February 2001 and is jointly associated with LONA, Pefaco Ibellia SA and businessman Jacques Renard. The venue has been described as offering slot machines, roulette and entertainment facilities.
Online gambling
Rahisibet licensing
LONA has licensed Rahisibet as an online sportsbook. The platform offers sports betting and a limited selection of casino slots, making it part of Burundi's regulated online-gambling ecosystem.
Controversies
2021
Investigation into alleged licensing corruption
A report alleged that LONA's general manager and commercial director were investigated over suspected corruption and alleged payments from companies seeking gambling licenses. The general manager denied the allegations and said twelve companies had paid the required licensing fee. LONA suspended games while reviewing its regulations.
Brand decisions
2024
Adopt digital oversight for gambling operatorsStrategyBackground
Burundi sought stronger visibility over lotteries, online platforms, sports betting, horse racing and casino activity.
Action taken
N-Soft announced a monitoring system to be used principally by LONA, with phased coverage of gambling providers and operational data.
Aftermath
The planned system was intended to consolidate registrations, results, jackpots, revenue and profit calculations; implementation results are not established.
2023
Plan transition from commercial operator to regulatorStrategyBackground
The Council of Ministers adopted a gambling-control strategy covering 2023–2035.
Action taken
The strategy proposed stricter supervision, restrictions on gambling rooms in poor or working-class neighborhoods and an eventual end to LONA's commercial activities.
Aftermath
The available sources do not confirm whether the proposed institutional transformation was completed.
2021
Suspend gambling games during regulatory reviewOtherBackground
The decision followed complaints and allegations concerning gaming licenses and the conduct of LONA executives.
Action taken
LONA ordered games suspended while it reviewed gambling regulations.
Aftermath
Employees of the lottery, casino and sports-betting venues were reportedly suspended for two months without pay.
2020
Authorize Lumitel mobile lotteryProduct launchBackground
LONA sought to distribute lottery participation through a mobile-operator channel.
Action taken
It authorized Lumitel to offer a lottery to its subscribers; the service launched in July 2021.
Aftermath
The decision extended lottery distribution beyond conventional physical channels, although later performance information is unavailable.
Recent events
- 2024
N-Soft technology selected for gambling oversight[1]
Product launch · Regulation
N-Soft announced a planned monitoring system for Burundi's gambling sector, with LONA as the main user and initial coverage of lotteries, online platforms, sports betting and horse racing.
- 2024
Public-enterprise dividend concerns include Loterie Nationale du Burundi[1]
Other
Burundi's finance minister told the Senate that LONA was among public or mixed enterprises reported as having never paid dividends, although the available account did not provide a figure or explain the organization's complete financial position.
- 2023
Burundi adopts long-term gambling-control plan[1]
Regulation
The Council of Ministers adopted a 2023–2035 plan to restrict and supervise gambling, regulate operators and potentially convert LONA from a commercial enterprise into a dedicated gambling regulator.
- 2020
LONA authorizes Lumitel mobile lottery[1]
Product launch
LONA authorized mobile operator Lumitel to offer a lottery to subscribers on 24 November 2020; the service launched on 1 July 2021.
- 2001
Lydia Ludic Burundi casino opens in Bujumbura[1]
Product launch
The Lydia Ludic Burundi casino opened in February 2001 in Bujumbura in partnership with LONA and private interests associated with Pefaco Ibellia SA.
- 1989
LONA reorganized under Burundi gambling decree[1]
Regulation · Other
Decree No. 100/231 of 11 December 1989 established the legal framework cited for the reorganization of the National Lottery of Burundi.
Sources1 sources
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