Regulatory AuthorityLONATO (Togolese National Lottery)
License CostVaries
Regulation by Activity Type
Casinos
Regulated
Online Casinos
Unregulated
Betting
Regulated
Online Betting
Regulated
Lotteries
Regulated
Poker
Regulated
Highlights
All forms of land-based gambling, including casinos, sports betting, and lotteries, are legal in Togo.
The Togolese National Lottery (LONATO) acts as the main regulatory authority for gambling activities.
Online gambling is not specifically regulated and is generally considered illegal under current laws.
No laws prohibit individuals from accessing offshore online gambling sites from within Togo.
Operators must obtain a license from the relevant authority and comply with age and responsible gaming requirements.
The legal gambling age in Togo is 18 years for all forms of betting and gaming.
Gaming operators are subject to specific taxes, licensing fees, and regulatory charges under Togolese law.
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Legislation
Primary Legislation
Togo's legal framework for gambling is limited and lacks comprehensive, modern legislation specifically tailored to all forms of gaming. The primary basis for gambling regulation is general law, with no dedicated gambling act or statute that covers the entire sector. The most significant legal reference is the appointment of LONATO (La Loterie Nationale Togolaise) as the General Agency of games of chance, which occurred in 1989. This designation grants LONATO broad authority to oversee and regulate all forms of games of chance within the country. There is no specific legislation addressing online gambling, which remains largely unregulated under Togolese law. As a result, most gambling activities, including lotteries, sports betting, and land-based casino gaming, operate under the general oversight of LONATO and the limited legislative framework in place.
Regulatory Authority
The central regulatory authority for gambling in Togo is LONATO (La Loterie Nationale Togolaise). LONATO was established as the national lottery in 1966 and was later appointed as the General Agency for games of chance, granting it regulatory powers over the entire gambling sector. There is no separate or specialized gaming commission or authority distinct from LONATO. The government has not established a dedicated body for online gambling regulation, and LONATO’s mandate covers both the operation and supervision of the legal gambling market.
Supervises and regulates all forms of legal gambling, including lotteries, casinos, and sports betting
Acts as the primary authority for issuing operational guidelines and ensuring compliance with existing laws
Holds responsibility for overseeing public interest and state revenue collection from gambling activities
License Types
Types of Gambling Licenses in Togo
Lottery License: The national lottery is the most prominent and regulated form of gambling in Togo. The Togolese National Lottery (LONATO) holds the main authority for lottery operations, and licensing is primarily focused on this sector.
Casino License: Land-based casinos are legal and require a license to operate. These licenses are issued by the relevant regulatory authority, with oversight from LONATO.
Sports Betting License: Sports betting is a popular and legal activity, also requiring a license issued by the regulatory authority under the supervision of LONATO.
Note: Online gambling is not specifically regulated or licensed in Togo. There is currently no framework for licensing online casinos or sportsbooks.
Application Process for Gambling Licenses
Regulatory Authority: LONATO (La Loterie Nationale Togolaise) serves as the main regulatory body for issuing and overseeing gambling licenses in Togo.
Application Submission: Prospective operators must submit a formal application to LONATO or the relevant government department, detailing the type of gambling activity, business plan, and compliance measures.
Review and Approval: Applications are reviewed for compliance with the Gaming Act and other regulatory requirements, including responsible gaming and age restrictions.
Decision Timeline: There is no publicly available standardized timeline for license approval, but the process typically involves background checks and due diligence.
Duration, Renewal, and Eligibility
License Duration: Licenses are generally issued for a fixed period, which may vary depending on the type of gambling activity. The specific duration is determined by the regulatory authority at the time of issuance.
Renewal Conditions: License renewal requires operators to demonstrate continued compliance with all regulatory requirements, including financial stability, responsible gaming measures, and adherence to age restrictions.
Eligibility: Applicants must meet criteria related to financial integrity, business reputation, and operational capability. Background checks are conducted to ensure suitability.
Licensing Costs, Fees, and Financial Requirements
Application Fees: Operators are required to pay a non-refundable application fee when submitting their license request. The exact amount is determined by the regulatory authority and may vary based on the type and scale of the gambling operation.
Annual Licensing Fees: Licensed operators must pay annual fees to maintain their license. These fees are set by the authority and are subject to change.
Financial Guarantees: Operators may be required to provide proof of financial solvency or a security deposit to ensure the payment of winnings and adherence to regulatory obligations.
Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining a License
Responsible Gaming Measures: Operators must implement policies to promote responsible gambling and prevent underage participation (minimum age is 18).
Compliance with Advertising Rules: All advertising must comply with regulations to ensure it is not misleading or targeted at minors.
Operational Transparency: Accurate record-keeping and regular reporting to the regulatory authority are mandatory.
Ongoing Compliance: License holders are subject to periodic audits and inspections to ensure ongoing adherence to all regulatory requirements.
Summary Table: Gambling License Features in Togo
License Type
Authority
Application Fee
Annual Fee
Duration
Renewal
Key Requirements
Lottery
LONATO
Varies
Varies
Fixed term
Compliance review
Responsible gaming, financial solvency
Casino
LONATO
Varies
Varies
Fixed term
Compliance review
Responsible gaming, operational transparency
Sports Betting
LONATO
Varies
Varies
Fixed term
Compliance review
Responsible gaming, financial guarantees
Currently, Togo's gambling licensing system is centralized under LONATO, with a focus on land-based lottery, casino, and sports betting operations. Online gambling is not regulated or licensed, and no framework exists for remote operators at this time. All applicants must meet strict compliance, financial, and operational standards to obtain and maintain a license.
Gambling Tax
Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in Togo
The taxation system for gambling operators in Togo is not extensively detailed in public sources, reflecting the country’s limited and underdeveloped legislative base for gambling. However, the following information summarizes what is known about the tax structure for different gambling operations:
Type of Gambling
Tax Rate
Tax Basis
Lottery
Not publicly specified
Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR)
Casinos
Not publicly specified
Presumed GGR or turnover
Sports Betting
Not publicly specified
Presumed GGR or turnover
The lottery sector, managed primarily by the national operator LONATO, is the largest contributor to gambling tax revenue in Togo. Taxation is generally based on the gross gaming revenue (GGR), especially for the lottery, but specific rates for each gambling vertical are not published or are not readily available in official government sources.
Tax Reporting and Payment Procedures
Gambling operators, particularly those under LONATO, are required to report their revenues to the relevant government authorities.
Payment of gambling taxes is typically made directly to the state treasury or designated government agency.
The frequency and format of tax reporting (e.g., monthly, quarterly) are not specified in publicly available regulations, but operators are expected to comply with general tax reporting standards as set by Togolese fiscal authorities.
Operators may be subject to audits or inspections to verify the accuracy of reported revenues and taxes paid.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions
There are no publicly documented tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions specifically for gambling operators in Togo.
All forms of legal gambling are subject to taxation, with no indication of reduced rates or holiday periods for new entrants or specific types of gambling operations.
Prohibited Individuals
Age Restrictions
The minimum legal age for participating in any form of gambling in Togo is 18 years. This restriction applies to all gambling activities, including lotteries, casino games, and sports betting. Operators are required to verify the age of players to ensure compliance with this requirement.
Identification Requirements
Players must provide valid identification to confirm their age before participating in gambling activities.
Casinos and other gambling venues are expected to check identification documents to prevent underage gambling.
Prohibited Activities and Game Restrictions
There are currently no specific prohibitions on particular types of gambling activities for land-based operations; casino games, sports betting, and lotteries are all permitted.
Online gambling is not specifically regulated, but there are no explicit prohibitions against players accessing offshore gambling sites.
No official restrictions on specific games have been reported for licensed land-based venues.
Advertising and Marketing Limitations
No detailed advertising or marketing restrictions for gambling operators have been formally established in Togo.
Operators should avoid targeting minors and must ensure that all advertising is directed only at individuals who are legally permitted to gamble.
Marketing materials should not promote gambling as a solution to financial problems or misrepresent the odds of winning.
Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection Measures
There are no comprehensive, codified responsible gambling requirements in Togo’s current regulatory framework.
Operators are generally expected to prevent underage gambling and to act responsibly in their interactions with players.
There is no formal system for self-exclusion, deposit limits, or mandatory responsible gambling messaging in place.
Player protection measures are limited, and there is no dedicated authority providing support for problem gambling at this time.
Geographic or Location Restrictions
Land-based gambling venues such as casinos and betting shops operate legally within Togo, but there are no reported geographic zoning restrictions or limitations on where these venues can be located.
There are no restrictions on Togolese residents accessing offshore online gambling platforms, as online gambling is unregulated but not prohibited.
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Timeline
Year/Date
Event
1966
Establishment of the Togolese National Lottery (LONATO), marking the beginning of state-regulated gambling in Togo.
1989
LONATO is appointed as the General Agency for games of chance, gaining authority to regulate the entire gambling sector in Togo.
2006
Gambling sector generates significant state revenue, with most income coming from the lottery.
2018
Total revenue from the gambling sector surpasses $30 million, with the lottery remaining the dominant segment.
2024
Licensing requirements are formalized for all gambling activities, allowing both local and international operators to obtain licenses in Togo.
Requirements
Software Certification and Technical Standards
There are currently no explicit, detailed technical standards or software certification requirements established by Togolese authorities for gambling operators. The regulatory framework for both land-based and online gambling remains underdeveloped, with no specific mandates for independent testing or certification of gaming software.
Operators are expected to ensure the integrity and fairness of their platforms, but there is no formalized process for technical audits or certification by recognized labs.
In the absence of local standards, international best practices may be informally referenced, but these are not codified in Togolese regulation.
Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location
Togo does not have comprehensive, sector-specific data protection laws for gambling operators. There are no explicit requirements regarding the storage, processing, or localization of player data for gambling businesses.
No formal obligations exist for server location within Togo or for adherence to international data privacy standards such as GDPR.
Operators are generally expected to maintain the confidentiality and security of customer data, but there are no detailed technical or procedural requirements defined by law.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures
Casinos and gambling operators in Togo are subject to general anti-money laundering obligations, following international guidelines such as those set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Operators must implement basic KYC procedures, including customer identification and verification, to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing.
There is an expectation to monitor transactions for suspicious activity and report such activities to relevant authorities, but the specific technical requirements and thresholds are not detailed in local regulation.
AML compliance is largely modeled on international standards rather than detailed local technical rules.
Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping
There are no detailed, sector-specific financial reporting or auditing standards mandated for gambling operators in Togo.
Operators are generally expected to maintain accurate financial records and may be required to submit reports to the regulatory authority, but the format, frequency, and technical standards of such reporting are not specified by law.
Record-keeping requirements exist in principle, particularly for AML compliance, but there is no detailed guidance on the duration or technical format for storage.
Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools
There are currently no formal technical requirements for the implementation of responsible gambling tools in Togo.
Operators are not legally required to provide self-exclusion mechanisms, deposit limits, or other player protection features through their platforms.
Responsible gambling initiatives are at an early stage of development and are not enforced through technical standards or operational mandates.
In summary, the technical and operational requirements for gambling operators in Togo are minimal and largely undefined by local law. Most compliance expectations are based on general principles or international best practices rather than specific, enforceable technical standards.
Sources
Primary Regulatory Authorities
Loterie Nationale Togolaise (LONATO) – Official website of the Togolese National Lottery, the main regulatory authority overseeing gambling and games of chance in Togo.
Contact: lonato@lonato.tg | Tel: +228 22 21 41 63
Legislation Resources
Assemblée Nationale du Togo – Official portal for Togolese legislative texts, including laws related to gambling and gaming.
Gambling regulations are subject to change. The information provided on this page was accurate at the time of publication, but may not reflect the current regulatory landscape. Always consult official sources for the most up-to-date information before making any gambling-related decisions.
