Slap With US$10,000 Fine
Reported by: Prince Saah
Monrovia, Liberia – The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has revoked the sports betting license of LIPAY, Inc. and imposed a US$10,000 administrative fine after finding the company guilty of multiple violations of Liberia’s gaming regulations, in what officials describe as a major crackdown on illegal foreign involvement in the country’s betting industry.
Announcing the decision on Monday, June 23, 2026, following an administrative hearing, NLA Director General Peter L. Solo said the Authority found LIPAY liable for breaching several provisions of Gaming Regulation 001, including failing to disclose a material relationship with DIDIANE LTD, allowing an unlicensed foreign entity to operate under its license, and creating the false impression that the foreign company was legally authorized to conduct betting operations in Liberia.
According to him, as a result, the NLA immediately revoked LIPAY’s sports betting license pursuant to Sections 6.9 and 15 of Regulation 001, effectively shutting down its legal authority to operate in the country.
Solo said that the regulator also ordered the company to pay US$2,500 for each of four violations, bringing the total administrative penalty to US$10,000.
“In addition, LIPAY must bear all costs associated with the proceedings and is prohibited from applying for another gaming license in Liberia for the next two years,” he added.
The NLA Director General further disclosed that it will pursue damages linked to unpaid licensing fees allegedly associated with the operations conducted in Liberia over the past two years.
“The NLA’s core duty is to protect the Liberian gaming market from abuse, ensure transparency, and uphold the law. Licenses are not transferable, and foreign entities cannot circumvent our laws by hiding behind licensed operators,” he stated.
Director Solo disclosed that the decision sends one of the strongest regulatory signals yet from the Authority, which vowed to enforce compliance “without fear or favor” as part of efforts to maintain integrity and accountability within Liberia’s growing gaming sector.
Meanwhile, he said, the complaint filed against the management of 1XBET was dismissed with prejudice after the Authority determined that the case suffered from misjoinder and failed to name a legal entity as a respondent.
The NLA boss explained that the judgment will be published in a newspaper of general circulation at the expense of LIPAY, Inc., in accordance with regulatory requirements.
According to him, the enforcement action aligns with the government’s broader development agenda by ensuring a clean, transparent, and properly regulated gaming industry that contributes lawfully to national revenue and economic growth.
