Mali minister calls for transparency at AES lottery betting launch

Mali's Minister of Economy and Finance, Alousséni Sanou, spoke on 12 October at the first Pari Conféderal AES, a joint horse-racing betting project involving countries of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES). Sanou emphasised responsible gambling, transparency and the protection of minors, and called for strict regulation of the gambling industry, the report said.

Fasséry Doumbia, director-general of PMU Mali, Mali's national lottery and betting company, gave a speech to open the ceremony, after which Sanou made an official announcement, according to the report. The initiative brings together the state lottery operators of Niger (LONANI), Burkina Faso (LONAB) and Mali (PMU Mali). The report said the three providers began talks in August 2025 on combining resources, exchanging knowledge and creating cooperative betting initiatives, with the aim of improving social, institutional and economic cooperation among the three countries.

A special Quinté horse racing wager carrying an FCFA150m (US$263,000) jackpot is scheduled for 15 October at the Pari Conféderal AES, the report said, with all three participating countries offering the overall betting product. The operators will also donate 20 neonatal incubators to Mali's Ministry of Health and Social Development, according to the report.