Rwanda lottery to go mobile

Rwanda Gaming Corporation (RGC), a charity business organisation is set to introduce mobile lottery, the company’s CEO, Philippe Brizoua revealed. Mobile lottery will allow mobile telephony users play lottery games from their mobile phone, Brizoua said. “For the start, MTN and Rwandatel subscribers will enjoy the service and later Tigo. To register, a person will send a short text message “Lotto” to 8888 on any of the operators then person will receive a confirmation message that he/she has successfully registered,” Brizoua explainedHe also added that a text will cost Rwf300 for any client who intends to play for prizes of over Rwf30m. The CEO also explained that they are waiting for a government’s decision that will determine taxes the company will be charged. “The only challenge is to know how much we will be changed on taxes because in other countries where the games operate they don’t charge VAT but taxes are charged on the money won. If we get the confirmation this week we are ready to launch the services at the beginning of February,” he explained. Last year, RGC managed to generate Rwf4 billion without taxes and the company posted Rwf1 billion net revenues after paying off winners and other costs. Brizoua explained that the company managed to make that money with only two products, the Casino and the Slot Machines and this year it is targeting Rwf22 billion. “With the introduction of more games we are ready to have a wide range of options for our clients which will help generate more revenues, we have CASINO (2 branches), the national Lottery 6/36, video slot machines, sport betting and live horse betting,” he explained. RGC is also set to open-up branches upcountry in two weeks time. Brizoua said that they are ready to open offices in Cyangungu and Gisenyi so as to give an opportunity for the people outside Kigali to enjoy the games. Brizoua also explained that the company was very much affected by the credit crunch. He revealed that that company lost 30 percent of their projected revenues from the Casino because mostly the Casino targets foreigners who like the gambling games. “Since it was the Casino’s first year of operation, we hope this year it will be a success because people are recovering from the credit crunch and tourist numbers will increase again,” he added. Ends

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Rwanda lottery to go mobile