Best Online Casinos - Tanzania

Is gambling legal in Tanzania?

Land-based gambling is legal and regulated in Tanzania. The primary legislation governing these activities is the Gaming Act [CAP. 41 R.E. 2019], which provides a comprehensive framework for the conduct of gaming operations in the country. The Gaming Board of Tanzania (GBT) is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing, monitoring, and regulating all gaming activities within Tanzania.

This board was introduced under the Gaming Act and its key responsibilities are to assess and license businesses that apply to provide gambling services in the country, and to promote safe and responsible gambling.

Tanzania is one of the emerging African markets when it comes to the gambling industry as it has a lot of potential. The country is interested in legalizing games of chance and betting and the first laws to regulate the activities were introduced back in 1967. They were then polished by iterations introduced in 1974, and the final (up till now at least) Gaming Act was set in motion in 2003. 

To get a license to provide games of chance and betting services, a business must go through a licensing process. For this, the applicant must register a company with the Business Registration and Licensing Agency (BRELA) and obtain a Certificate of Incorporation. It must then with the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) is required to obtain a Tax Identification Number (TIN). Once that’s done, the candidate submits an application to the Gaming Board of Tanzania. This application must include:

• A detailed business plan outlining project objectives, investment costs, financing sources, market analysis, and projected financial statements.
• Personal declaration forms for each director and key employee.
• Proof of sufficient financial capital to support the project.
• Evidence of suitable gaming premises.

The GBT then runs a background check. Both local and foreign businesses are eligible to apply but if the applicant is a foreign company, it is required to demonstrate a minimum investment capital of USD 500,000, while local companies must show USD 300,000.

If the vetting process is a success, GBT issues a license that’s valid for one year and can be renewed afterward. 

All land-based casinos pay 18% in taxes on the gross gaming revenue. There is also a fixed tax of TZS 100,000 per slot machine per month. A 10% tax applies to sports betting revenues, and lotteries are subject to a 25% tax on GGR. Each of these niches also pays a tax on net winnings. These taxes are collected by the Tanzania Revenue Authority and are applicable to all licensed gaming operators in the country.

Online gambling in Tanzania is licensed and regulated. The same authority that oversees land-based gambling with licensing and vetting also takes care of businesses that apply to provide virtual services. GBT introduced specific regulations for virtual games of chance and betting back in 2012, thus updating the existing laws.

Similar to offline casinos, online ones must also get registered, submit applications, and go through a verification process. Local and foreign businesses are equally eligible but foreign companies must have a minimum investment capital of USD 500,000. All licensed online casinos pay a 25% tax on GGR and a 15% tax on net winnings. 

Tanzania’s decision to license and regulate online gambling and to give opportunities to both local and foreign businesses stems from a few major considerations:

• Economic benefits: The state recognized on time the popularity of gambling as well as how big of a revenue stream it can be to the treasury if regulated properly. Plus, clear regulations lead to a substantial growth of the industry and all of the parties benefited from the decision.

• Technological advancements: The expansion of mobile broadband infrastructure has facilitated rapid growth in online gambling, leaving the state no other choice but to keep up with the pace of the demand within the country.

• Consumer protection: By regulating the industry, the government aims to protect consumers from potential harms associated with gambling. Players have a clear list of guidelines separating rogue online lobbies from those licensed and regulated by local laws.

In addition to being encouraged to play locally, gamers from Tanzania are also accepted in 100s of online lobbies across the world that aim to provide global services. Similar to local sites, regulated international lobbies are the safest bet. Among others, gamers from Tanzania should take a look at Curacao-regulated locations. Those with Cyprus licenses are noteworthy, too.

Our database has 100s of reviewed and vetted places to bet and win, and new locations are being added regularly. Overall, players from Tanzania have a lot of choices when it comes to wagering cash online and enjoying betting, lottery, and games of chance.

The official currency of Tanzania is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS). This currency is broadly represented in Tanzania-licensed online lobbies but is hardly ever available across international sites. Those players who decide to wager cash in global lobbies must be ready to do so either in USD (conversion fees will apply), or to play in crypto.

Digital tokens have taken the gambling industry by storm just a few years ago. They have proven to be efficient, reliable, and affordable. The most popular token is Bitcoin with many similar options like Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, and Ethereum also broadly represented across online gambling lobbies.

When it comes to deposit and withdrawal methods, mobile payment solutions have gained significant traction in Tanzania, with services like M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa, and Vodacom M-Pesa being represented across locally licensed online lobbies.

When it comes to international ones, local payment methods are not that broadly featured. Instead, players can count on all the crypto wallets as well as cards — Visa and MasterCard. The latter are usually available in 99% of regulated international lobbies. E-wallets such as PayPal are also utilized by Tanzanian players, offering fast and secure transactions. PayPal is a very popular option among the sites that we’ve reviewed and added to our collection.

As for the cashout speed, crypto wallets are the fastest ones and those players who plan to use cash that they won to gamble again might consider crypto. Regular wallets tend to process payouts within 24 hours, while payouts to cards can take up to three work days. Per each payment method, as well as per each selected online casino, there will also be specific cashout limits.

The country has been embracing informal gambling activities within the local communities since pre-colonial times. In a way, games of chance have been a form of socialization and entertainment. One of the most prominent traditional games isBao, a member of the mancala family, widely played along the East African coast, including Tanzania.

Colonialism diluted these traditional games with activities that were popular in Britain and Germany. These included card games and roulette. The British in particular also introduced popular sports, including cricket and rugby, and both of the disciplines still dominate among the local Tanzanian bettors when it comes to Sportsbook.

After the colonial era, the country became one of the first in Eastern Africa to regulate gambling, and with it began the evolution of the local industry.

These days, there are active Tanzanian players who love slot machines. They are simple, diverse, and immersive. Plus, international slot production often refers to African culture and makes it the key theme of many reeled adventures. But it’s not only African themes that are favored by the local players. Sweet Bonanza slot is known for its vibrant graphics and cascading reels. ChilliPop is a colorful game packed with bonuses that have captivated many players with its simple yet thrilling mechanics. Fruit Shop is also a top choice. This slot offers 20 paylines and mobile optimization for gaming on the go.

International lobbies allow the local gambling community to tap into renowned portfolios of international game suppliers. This includes access to live content, namely games by Lucky Streak and Vivo Gaming. Players are very fond of live dealer games, including roulette and blackjack.