LONATO
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🇹🇬For operators · Tax, marketing & compliance
Togo gambling market for operators: state monopoly
Togo has a state monopoly (LONATO), which partners with Premier Bet for online gambling. Offshore sites operate in a grey market. A 5% tax on winnings ≥CFA 500,000 applies since Jan 2026.
OverviewOverview built from public sources. An in-depth review of Togo is available on request. Request it
Product by product
| Product | Status |
|---|---|
| Online betting · Online casino | Limited |
| Online poker | Unregulated |
| Lottery | Licensed |
Regulator and player protection in Togo
Regulator
Application authority and enforcement body
Mandatory RG controls
No limit imposed on players
Deposit limits or reality checks the law requires operators to offer
Advertising stance
Limited
Whether you can run TV / sponsorship / paid-social campaigns
Heads-up for operators
Changes coming in Togo
No reform contemplated.
Not yet in force: drafts, laws adopted without a start date, and sections of the law still to be commenced. An item moves to the timeline below on the day it takes effect.
Licence Types in Togo
3 licence types are listed for Togo; each says who issues it and what it covers.
| Licence | Regulator | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lottery Concession (LONATO) | Government | Statutory | The state monopoly holder, LONATO, is the sole entity permitted to organize and operate all games of chance. |
| PMU (horse-racing tote) | Government | Statutory | Operates within the state-controlled framework. |
| Online Partnership | LONATO | Contractual | Private operators, such as Premier Bet, can legally offer online games through a direct partnership agreement with LONATO. |
Licensing model
Togo has a state-monopoly model where Loterie Nationale Togolaise (LONATO) holds exclusive rights. However, LONATO partners with private companies, like Premier Bet, to offer online gambling, so the system is a unique hybrid. There is no open licensing framework for other private operators.
Gambling tax and fees in Togo
Detail
Operators are subject to a 'taxe sur les produits des jeux de hasard (TPJH)'. As state-owned entities, LONATO and PMU Togo's surplus revenue contributes to the national budget.
Since 2026, all operators must use a certified electronic invoicing system for reporting to the Togolese Revenue Office (OTR).
Year-1 cost: fee schedule not yet published
Togo's state-monopoly model means there is no public fee schedule for private operator licensing. Costs are determined by contractual agreements with the state lottery, LONATO.
| Line item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lottery Licence | State monopoly Source1 | Exclusively held by Loterie Nationale Togolaise (LONATO). |
| Online Sports & Casino Licence | no published fee schedule Source2 | Requires a direct partnership with LONATO; terms are not public. |
| Horse Racing (PMU) Licence | State monopoly | Operated by PMU Togo under the state-controlled framework. |
| Operator Tax (TPJH) | no published fee schedule Source3 | The 'taxe sur les produits des jeux de hasard' rate is not public. Government projects revenue of CFA 4.4 billion in 2026. |
| Player Winnings Withholding | 5% of winnings ≥ CFA 500k Source4 | Operators are legally required to withhold and remit this tax. |
Year 1 estimate
Year 1 cannot be totalled: gov fee schedule not published
Costs are based on private negotiations with the state monopoly, LONATO, and are not publicly available.
Which foreign licences Togo accepts
All 8 foreign licences listed here are tolerated in Togo.
ToleratedMalta (MGA) · United Kingdom (UKGC) · Gibraltar (GRA) · Isle of Man (GSC) · Curaçao (CGB) · Kahnawake (KGCB) · Anjouan · Alderney (AGCC)
The online market is unregulated. Operators are accessible without ISP blocking or payment restrictions, but players have no local consumer protection.
Bonus rules: welcome bonuses allowed
Inducement ads: Allowed
Togo's regulatory framework for gambling promotions lacks specific, detailed legislation. While general advertising laws exist and are being updated, operators must navigate an environment where the state lottery's practices are a de facto guide, alongside significant penalties for illicit online gambling activities.
What the player can claim
- Welcome bonus
- Allowed
- VIP schemes
- Allowed
- Loyalty schemes
- Allowed
- Cashback
- Allowed
The permissibility of bonuses and loyalty tools is inferred from the practices of the state-owned Loterie Nationale Togolaise (LONATO), which offers promo codes and VIP benefits.
What the operator can advertise
- Messages ads may not give
- Advertising must not exploit the inexperience or credulity of children and adolescents.
- Penalties
Non-compliant commercial communication is punishable by a fine of XOF 1,000,000 to XOF 10,000,000. Organizing illicit online games of chance carries a penalty of one to five years imprisonment and a fine of XOF 5,000,000 to XOF 10,000,000.
A draft law to regulate the broader advertising sector is under review, and the High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) has broad powers to regulate media content.
How Togo enforces against unlicensed operators
Enforcement is primarily fiscal and focused on protecting the state monopoly's revenue streams. While there is no active blocking of offshore sites, the government has implemented a strict tax collection system and acts against unlicensed domestic competition.
- Jan 2026: A 5% withholding tax on winnings over CFA 500,000 is implemented, requiring operators to collect and remit funds.
- 2026: Government projects a 50% increase in revenue from the tax on gambling products (TPJH), which indicates a focus on collection.
- 1980: The foundational law establishes a state monopoly, which LONATO actively protects.
Enforcement cases in Togo: 5 recent
Material regulator actions, court rulings, and high-profile fines from 2016–2026 against operators serving Togo. Each entry includes the technical failure and a one-line read-across for other operators in the market.
- January 2026
All lottery and gambling operators
Tax5% withholding tax on winnings >€760A new provision in the 2026 Finance Law was implemented to broaden the national tax base.
Read-across: This tax reduces high-value player winnings, potentially driving players towards untaxed grey-market operators.
- June 2025
Offshore/Grey-Market Operators
Grey-MarketInternet blockagesThe government restricted access to social media and communication platforms amid political protests.
Read-across: These shutdowns collaterally block access to grey-market gambling sites, which demonstrates a risk of politically motivated service disruption for online operators.
- June 2024
Togolese Armed Forces (FAT)
OtherBan on gambling for all military personnelThe Chief of Staff issued the ban to prevent activities that could compromise the military's reputation and troop morale.
Read-across: This removes a segment of the population from the legal gambling market and signals a potential for further state-level restrictions on player eligibility.
- July 2023
Illegal Casino Operators
Grey-MarketSeizure of 200 slot machinesAuthorities conducted raids to enforce the state's monopoly on gambling and shut down unlicensed venues.
Read-across: This action shows an ongoing enforcement priority against illegal land-based operations and reinforces the state's control over the sector.
- January 2023
Illegal Lottery Collectors
Grey-MarketArrest of an illegal collector networkFollowing a complaint from the state monopoly LONATO, police dismantled a network of fraudulent and clandestine lottery operators.
Read-across: This demonstrates LONATO's willingness to use law enforcement to protect its monopoly against unlicensed competition in the retail space.
Market size: 0.02B USD (2025)
Gross gaming revenue in Togo is approximately 20 million USD annually. The most popular form of gambling is Lottery. Online gambling represents 20% of total GGR. A culturally distinctive product in this market is LONATO's Loto 5/90 and sports betting products (Lotosport, Parifoot)..
Market breakdown by vertical
- Land-based0B USD0.0%
- Sports betting0.016B USD80.0%
- Casino0B USD0.0%
- Lottery0.004B USD20.0%
Proxy estimate using the Chad/Niger baseline. Top-tier data firms pool lower-income Sub-Saharan markets into a generic "Rest of Africa" bucket rather than tracking each country separately. This placeholder ($0.02B GGR, 80% sports / 20% lottery) keeps the map complete; verify against local sources before quoting.
GGR figure10
Licensed operators: ~3
As of 18 Jun 2026, approximately 3 operators hold an active licence in Togo. Size your entry against this base before committing capital.
Notable licensed operators
- Visit site
Premier Bet
PMU Togo
Traps operators hit in Togo
Specific operational risks that have caught new entrants in this market. Each item is country-specific. Generic gambling-ops issues (KYC, RG tools) are not included unless they have a local twist.
Misunderstanding the Monopoly Partnership
Attempting to enter the market with a foreign license is futile. The only legal path for a private online operator is a direct partnership with the state monopoly, LONATO. The terms are not publicly disclosed and are negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
Ignoring Player Winnings Tax Liability
Since January 1, 2026, operators are legally required to withhold a 5% tax on all player winnings of CFA 500,000 or more. Failure to correctly calculate, withhold, and remit this tax to the Togolese Revenue Office can result in severe penalties.
Sources4
Underestimating Mobile Money Dominance
Traditional payment methods like bank cards have low penetration. The market is dominated by mobile money services like T-Money and Flooz. Failing to integrate these local payment solutions will severely limit an operator's addressable market.
Sources12
Timeline: rules in force
- January 2026
Withholding Tax on Winnings Implemented
The 2026 Finance Law introduced a 5% withholding tax on all gambling winnings of CFA 500,000 or more, collected by operators.
Source: 4
- 2026
Government Projects Increased Gambling Tax Revenue
The government forecast a 50% increase in revenue from the 'taxe sur les produits des jeux de hasard' (TPJH), which signals a greater fiscal focus on the sector.
Source: 3
- 1980
Foundational Law Establishes State Monopoly
The legal basis for Togo's state-controlled gambling market was established, granting a monopoly on games of chance to the state.
Source: 9
- 1966
Loterie Nationale Togolaise (LONATO) Established
LONATO was created as the state-owned entity to organize and operate games of chance in Togo.
Source: 13
- c. 2010s
LONATO Authorizes Premier Bet for Online Games
LONATO entered a partnership with private operator Premier Bet, which allows it to market online sports betting and casino games and creates a hybrid monopoly model.
Source: 11
Operator myths vs reality in Togo
Common assumptions about gambling licensing that turn out to be wrong in practice.
- MythTogo is an unregulated market open to any operator.
- MythPlayer winnings are a private matter and not the operator's responsibility.Reality
This is a dangerous misconception. The 2026 Finance Law makes operators legally responsible for withholding and remitting a 5% tax on winnings of CFA 500,000 or more. Failure to comply is a tax violation.
Sources14
- MythTogo has no specific gambling laws.
Markets that work like Togo
Compared on what our records hold for each country: whether online casino, betting, poker and lottery are licensed, state-run or banned, the licensing model, what the operator tax is levied on and its band, how most advertising channels are treated, and how foreign licences are treated. A point we hold for only one of the two countries counts for nothing.
- Côte d'IvoireAI overviewNigerAI overview
Online casino and betting limited; lottery licensed; state monopoly; most ad channels restricted; foreign licences mostly tolerated.
- LebanonAI overview
Online casino and betting limited; lottery licensed; state monopoly; most ad channels restricted.
- SenegalAI overview
Betting limited; poker unregulated; state monopoly; most ad channels restricted; foreign licences mostly tolerated.
- MoldovaChecked
Online casino and betting limited; lottery licensed; state monopoly.
Methodology & sources
This page is a Quick AI overview: a summary of public information, not yet checked against the law or the regulator. Treat it as a starting point. It has not yet been through our Deep AI Scan.
How we researchAsk us to run the Deep AI Scan for Togo
Documents cited on this page
- 1LONATO Official Site
- 2Premier Bet Togo
- 3Republic of Togo Report
- 4TogoFirst Report on 2026 Tax
- 5LoiDiCi on Cybercrime Penalties
- 6JohnnyBet on LONATO Promo Codes
- 7TogoFirst on Advertising Regulation Bill
- 8OHCHR Report on Advertising and Children
- 9LégiTogo - Journal Officiel 1980
- 10IBIA Anti-Fraud Africa Metrics
- 11Premier Bet 'About Us'
- 12Kamabet Payment Guide for Togo
- 13African Lotteries Association Member Profile
- 14TogoFirst Report on Winnings Tax
Looking for the player guide?
For consumer-facing information about gambling in Togo (tax on winnings, where to play legally, self-exclusion options), see the Togo player guide.
Disclaimer. This page reflects the law as we understood it on 18 Jun 2026. Rules change: always check the current position with Loterie Nationale Togolaise (LONATO), under the supervision of the Ministry of Economy and Finance.. We are not a legal adviser.