Gambling and online casinos in Zambia

Zambia is one of South Africa's more progressive gambling states.

Here gambling is legalized, licensed and actively developed both offline and online.

Casinos, sportsbooks and lotteries generate millions of dollars in tax revenue for the country, with the state positioning gambling as part of the legal entertainment and investment industry.

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Historical context

The development of gambling in Zambia began in the 1950s and 1960s, when the first casinos for tourists and businessmen opened in Lusaka and Livingstone.

In the 1990s, the country liberalized the sector and adopted The Betting Control Act (1992) and The Casino Act (1992), consolidating the legal status of gambling activities.

In 2007, the Gaming Board of Zambia (GBZ) was established -

a central regulator that oversees the licensing, taxation and protection of players' rights.

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Legislation and regulation

Gambling in Zambia is governed by three main laws:

• The Betting Control Act, Cap 438 - control of betting activities;
• The Casino Act, Cap 440 - casino licensing;
• The Lotteries Act, Cap 439 - lottery activity.

Regulator: Gaming Board of Zambia (GBZ)

administered by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.

Main provisions:

• all operators are required to obtain a GBZ license;
• the minimum age of a player is 18 years;

taxes:

• 20% of gross revenue (GGR) for casinos and bookmakers;
• 25% on online gambling;
• annual reporting is mandatory for all operators;
• foreign companies are allowed only when creating a joint venture with local participation.

In 2023, the government updated the legislation by introducing digital licenses for online gambling and an electronic transaction control system.

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Legal forms of gambling

In Zambia, the following are allowed and actively developing:

• land-based casinos;
• online casinos and mobile platforms;
• bookmakers (including live betting);
• lotteries and bingo;
• virtual games and esports.

Major operators:

• Fairview Casino Lusaka is the nation's oldest casino;
• The Millionaires Casino Lusaka - premium class with live dealers;
• Le Mirage Casino и Chrismar Casino Livingstone;
• BetLion Zambia, Betway Zambia, Premier Bet, 1xBet Zambia, Hollywoodbets.

Zambian casinos and betting companies target both domestic gamblers and foreign tourists - particularly in the Victoria Falls and Zimbabwe border areas.

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Online gambling

Online gambling in Zambia was legalized in 2019 and is regulated by the same authorities as offline games.

Main directions:

• sports betting and live betting;
• online casinos with slots and board games;
• virtual leagues and sweepstakes;
• lotteries and instant draws.

Popular payment systems:

• Airtel Money, MTN Mobile Money, Zamtel Kwacha;
• Stanbic Bank, Zanaco, Absa Zambia bank cards;
• cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, USDT) - are not yet regulated, but are actively used by players on international sites.

According to Southern Africa iGaming Report 2024, the number of active online players in Zambia exceeds 600,000, and the total market turnover is estimated at $120-150 million per year.

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Economic role

Gambling has become an important source of income for the Zambian state budget.

Key indicators (2024):

• tax revenues from the gambling sector - $25 million;
• contribution to GDP - about 0.7%;
• more than 5,000 jobs in the offline and online gambling sector;
• investments of international brands - Betway, Premier Bet, Hollywoodbets, etc.

GBZ actively cooperates with the Ministry of Sports, directing part of tax revenues to support youth programs and sports clubs.

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Social and cultural context

In Zambia, attitudes towards gambling are moderately neutral.

The Christian tradition does not prohibit gambling directly, and the government emphasizes that with proper regulation, the gambling industry can be a source of employment and growth.

GBZ requires all operators to:

• availability of self-control tools;
• warnings about dependency risks;
• a ban on minors.

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Prospects

Zambia is seen as South Africa's new gambling hub, along with South Africa and Malawi.

The country is open to foreign investors and is actively developing online infrastructure.

Key areas of development until 2030:

• creation of a national digital register of operators (eGaming Zambia);
• introduction of crypto-gambling taxation;
• development of tourist casino areas in Livingstone and Kafue;
• integrating artificial intelligence into the control of gambling platforms.

Forecast: by 2030, Zambia's gambling market will exceed $300 million, and the online sector will occupy about 60% of the total industry.

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Zambia is one of the most advanced countries in the region in the field of gambling regulation.

Transparent licensing, state control and technological innovations create a favorable environment for investment and the development of gambling.