Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have launched their first joint betting event, and Mali is planning to earn more from sports betting next year. Together, the two moves show the Sahel states treating betting as a source of shared revenue.

A joint betting event for the AES

The Pari Confédéral AES ran in Bamako from 12 to 16 October 2026. It is a joint horse-racing betting initiative of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), the confederation of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Each country's betting body took part: PMU Mali, Burkina Faso's LONAB and Niger's LONANI.

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At the opening, Mali's Finance Minister Alousséni Sanou called for transparency, protection of minors and responsible gambling. He linked better oversight of the sector to the AES goal of regional solidarity.

Niger will host the next edition in Niamey on 14 October 2027.

Mali wants more betting tax in 2027

Separately, Mali's draft Finance Bill for 2027 targets about US$96.3 million in tax revenue from sports betting, 8.8% more than this year. The bill also proposes:

  • expanding PMU Mali's betting network
  • bringing new gaming operators into the market

The bill does not yet explain how the higher target will be reached or which new operators may be allowed in.

Why it matters

  • Regional cooperation: the AES states are building joint products instead of working alone, which may later extend to shared rules or shared platforms.
  • A market that may open: Mali talking about new operators is worth watching for suppliers and operators in West Africa, where state betting bodies still dominate.
  • State control stays strong: any growth will likely run through the national betting bodies, so partnerships with PMU Mali, LONAB and LONANI matter more than standalone licences.

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