The iGaming industry in Tanzania has grown significantly in recent months, with sports betting revenues reportedly crossing beyond $72 million (TZS189.18 billion).
Buoyed by a young bettor base (18-34) and their ever-burgeoning appetite for sports content and mobile device adoption, 99% of gambling activity in the country is carried out online through the use of mobile phones.
The World Bank’s $150M Digital Tanzania project has likely played a role in the evolution, as internet broadband has swiftly transcended into the most rural of areas, so much so that betting engagement is tangible in Dodoma, Morogoro, or Ruvuma regions.
This trend has translated to a shift in operator behaviour, who now have their work cut out in deploying full interoperable sportsbooks capable of dovetailing with the country’s dominant mobile money aggregators.
Then, the Gaming Board of Tanzania (GBT) recently revealed that gambling has generated a staggering TZS260 billion for the nation during the 2024/25 business year.
What could this mean for Tanzania’s regulations?
Tanzania’s gambling market now supports over 30,000 jobs, which majorly constitutes operator staff, company shareholders, directors, regulators, suppliers.
That workforce vertical could rise further as the GBT have mapped out plans to bolster the number of their nationals working in the industry, while a TZS 24.89 billion tax target for 2026/27 financial year has been set, a considerable rise from the TZS 17.42 billion said to have been raked in by April last year, as per Taifa Daily.
Currently, the GBT through the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) collects an 18% tax on GGR for land-based casinos while collecting a 25% on GGR for online betting/casino.
While these projections are pointers to a likely surge in incessant gambling activities, which in turn could raise chances of problem gambling, the GBT states regulatory oversight is in place to ensure every form of compliance and safeguard society.
A GBT spokesperson told iGamingExpert: “The board is not leaving any stone unturned in protecting the citizenry, and we have often reiterated that gaming should be treated as entertainment rather than mainstream behaviour.
“We have tried to raise the level of awareness in recent months, educating people on the effects of problem and pathological gambling, and the issues they pose to their families and the society at large.”
Broad payment infrastructure, operator unity fuelling Tanzania’s gambling
Another important factor is the role Tanzania’s Instant Payment System (TIPS) has played in unifying betting firms and the ability to move funds quickly.
Launched by the Bank of Tanzania in 2022/23, the infrastructure processed 454 million transactions in 2024, and is projected to triple on that number by the year end.
M-Pesa, TigoPesa, Airtel Money and Halopesa are some of the most prominent mobile money processors under this scheme, all of which swiftly aid the movement of money in and out of betting wallets.
The Tanzania Gaming Association (TGA), a legally recognized body of gaming operators in the country, recently engaged in a 2-day training programme aimed at helping them improve industry standards as well as strengthen their compliance on regulations.
As East Africa’s industry continues to evolve, the Tanzanian market is one worth watching closely, a market that has experienced an exceptional 97% growth from just under six years ago.
