LONASE
- Founded
- 1966-01-01 in Dakar
- Headquarters
- Dakar
LONASE – the Loterie Nationale du Sénégal – is Senegal’s state‑owned monopoly lottery operator and a cornerstone of the country’s regulated gaming market. Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Dakar, the company oversees all national raffles, scratch‑card games, and licensed sports betting activities within Senegal. As the sole official lottery, LONASE plays a dual role: it provides entertainment products to consumers while channelling a significant portion of its revenue into social development programmes, acting as what it terms the “social arm” of the state. In recent years LONASE has aggressively pursued digital transformation. It launched LONASE Way, an online gaming platform developed with Jaap Senegal, and LPbet, a dedicated sports‑betting portal that also offers a WhatsApp‑based interface. These moves are part of a broader strategy to curb illegal betting and strengthen the regulated market. The operator has also signed technical partnerships with several online operators – LONASE Way, LONASE Partner and LONASE 22 Bet – to expand its digital footprint. With a strong domestic presence and an evolving digital‑first approach, LONASE is positioning itself as a modern, state‑backed gaming authority in West Africa. Its leadership has recently been restructured to better align the company with industry growth and regulatory demands.
Detailed Review
History & Founding
LONASE was established in 1966 by the Senegalese government to operate the national lottery. Its founding location was Dakar, and its initial mandate was to manage all state‑authorised games of chance. Over the decades it evolved from a traditional lottery issuer into a multi‑product gaming operator, adding scratch cards and eventually licensed sports betting.
Operations & Market Position
As Senegal’s only state‑owned lottery, LONASE dominates the local gaming landscape. Its core products include national raffles (e.g., Senloto Jackpot), scratch cards, and retail sports betting. The company also distributes its games through a network of physical points‑of‑sale and, increasingly, through digital channels.
Digital Expansion
From 2025 onward, LONASE accelerated its online rollout. LONASE Way – a full digital gaming platform launched in June 2025 in partnership with Jaap Senegal. LPbet – a dedicated sports‑betting site that also enables betting directly via WhatsApp. Lonase.bet – the company’s primary web portal for digital betting and gaming services. Partnerships signed in February 2025 with operators LONASE Way, LONASE Partner and LONASE 22 Bet to drive innovation. These initiatives aim to bring more players into the regulated market and reduce reliance on unlicensed operators.
Regulatory & Social Role
LONASE is not merely a commercial entity; it is designated the “social arm” of the Senegalese National Lottery, meaning a portion of its profits is directed toward community development, healthcare, and infrastructure projects. This social mandate is central to its public‑facing identity.
Leadership & Restructuring
In 2025, LONASE underwent a leadership restructure to better serve the evolving gambling industry. The current Director General (CEO) is Toussaint Manga. No other C‑level executives were explicitly confirmed in the search results.
Financials & Size
Public headcount and revenue figures were not found in the available search results. However, as a state‑owned monopoly with a nationwide footprint, its team is likely substantial. Headcount is reported as null pending official disclosure.
Key Products
LONASE Way
Full‑service online gaming platform launched in 2025 in partnership with Jaap Senegal. Offers casino‑style games and digital lottery.
LPbet
Online sports‑betting platform that allows users to place bets directly via WhatsApp without downloading a separate app.
Lonase.bet
Main website portal for digital betting and gaming services, including Senloto Jackpot.
Senloto Jackpot
National raffle game made available online through Lonase.bet.
Scratch Cards
Physical instant‑win scratch‑card products sold through retail outlets.
National Raffles
Traditional lottery draws managed by LONASE.
Recent News
Abdourahmane Baldé Appointed Director General of Senegal's National Lottery LONASE
Abdourahmane Baldé has been appointed Director General of Senegal's National Lottery (LONASE), replacing Toussaint Manga. Baldé, a tax lawyer, pledges to consolidate LONASE's achievements and enhance its performance, while the lottery recently launched LPbet, an online sports betting platform to compete with international operators.
2026-07-13