Meeting in Council of Ministers this Wednesday, April 29, 2026, under the chairmanship of Alassane Ouattara, the Ivorian government approved the creation of a specialized oversight unit . This new body strengthens the legislative framework for cleaning up a sector plagued by increasing informality.

An "armed arm" for regulation

Far from being just another administrative body, this unit aims to be the operational arm of the current regulatory authority. Its mission is clear:

1. Monitor and control all gambling sites in the territory.
2. Securing legal activities.
3. Suppressing offenses through expanded investigative powers.

A multidisciplinary team in the field

Under the leadership of government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly, it was specified that this force will be composed of:

1. Sworn agents.
2. Members of the public security forces (police and gendarmerie).
3. From representatives of the regulatory authority.

The goal: To put an end to anarchy

The gambling sector in Ivory Coast, historically dominated by LONACI (National Lottery of Ivory Coast), is facing a proliferation of clandestine operators. Undeclared slot machines and illegal lotteries are rampant, escaping all tax and social security controls.

"This is not a duplication, but a reinforcement mechanism. The authority regulates, while the surveillance unit intervenes concretely to enforce the law," Amadou Coulibaly insisted.

The stakes of this reform

Through this decree, the Ivorian state is pursuing a threefold objective:

1. Clean up the market by eliminating unfair competition.
2. Protecting bettors against the risks of fraud and uncontrolled addiction.
3. Securing public revenue from this lucrative industry.

From now on, only holders of an official concession will be able to operate, under penalty of immediate sanctions from this new "gambling police".