Rwanda has suspended the operations of bookmaker Forzza over games outside its licence
The decision was announced on 31 July 2026. The RDB acts as both Rwanda’s investment promotion agency and its gambling regulator.
What exactly has been banned
Forzza has been ordered to cease offering games until further notice. All advertising and promotional materials must be removed.
Separately, the RDB has told the public not to take part in the operator’s games and promotions while the ban is in force.
If the company continues to operate during the suspension period, further enforcement measures will be taken against it.
The regulator’s position
The RDB insists that licence holders are obliged to operate strictly within the limits and under the terms of their licence. Operators found to have carried out unauthorised activity face regulatory sanctions such as suspension or full revocation of their licence.
In the Forzza case, this is not a matter of a one-off incident. The regulator said the casino games were offered repeatedly, so the complaint relates to a consistent pattern of behaviour, rather than a single lapse.
The market has only recently reopened
Gambling licensing in Rwanda resumed in July following a one-year hiatus. The RDB has granted licences to three foreign bookmakers, namely Betway, ElephantBet and ForteBet.
The regulator has also introduced the Rwanda Gambling Policy. The document establishes stricter oversight of operators while aiming to ensure the industry generates significant economic benefits for the country.
The case sets the benchmark for new licence holders
Forzza’s suspension coincided precisely with the period when new licence holders emerged in the country. For them, this is the first clear example of how the RDB interprets the scope of the licence.
The issue here is not operating without a licence, but going beyond the scope of the authorised product. A bookmaking licence does not grant access to casino content, and the regulator will be checking precisely this compliance.
The conclusion is the same for content providers. The fact that a partner in Rwanda holds a licence no longer answers the question of exactly which verticals they are authorised to operate in.