Lottery tickets operate in a largely unregulated environment in Mali, where gambling activities exist without a comprehensive national regulatory framework. PMU Mali, established in 1994, serves as the country's sole authorized provider of sports betting services and also enables betting on French horse races, but the operator does not have an online sports betting platform (2). The absence of a dedicated national regulatory authority for games of chance has left the gambling sector, including lottery operations, partially managed through outsourced arrangements with foreign companies.
Mountaga Diakité, rapporteur of the Mines, Energy and Water Commission of the Transitional National Council, has emphasized the need to establish the Autorité de Régulation des Jeux de Hasard du Mali to promote transparency and fairness in the gambling industry (1). He pointed out that the management and regulation of PMU-Mali are partially outsourced to a foreign company, which limits economic benefits for Mali and undermines national sovereignty. The absence of clear lottery-specific legislation has created regulatory gaps in how lottery games are licensed, operated, and supervised within the country.
"The gambling sector cannot be left behind in this digital transformation, adding that reforming PMU-Mali and creating ARJHM would help Mali anticipate and manage these developments while protecting both players and the state."
The proposal to create an independent regulatory body similar to existing agencies such as AMRTP for telecommunications and CREE for energy and water would allow Mali to regain control over gaming regulations (1). This authority would fill a significant legal and institutional gap, especially in the face of rapid technological advancements and the growing presence of online gambling platforms. Until comprehensive legislation is enacted, lottery operations in Mali remain in a grey area where domestic oversight is limited and international operators can access the market without stringent local regulatory compliance requirements.
Source:
https://gamblingtalk.net/news/malian-official-calls-for-national-gambling-regulator-to-ensure-sovereignty-and-transparency
https://focusgn.com/africa/legal-gambling-in-africa-a-country-by-country-analysis
Last updated: 16-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
