Tanzania's gambling sector roughly doubled its revenue to about TSh260 billion (approximately €86 million) in the most recent reporting period, according to industry reports published in April 2026. That headline figure covers licensed activity only, so the true size of the market may be larger — unlicensed betting machines operate entirely outside the taxed system. The scale of the jump is what pushed regulators into a run of oversight measures this year.
What Is Driving Growth in Tanzania's Gambling Revenue?
Mobile money is the engine. M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa and Airtel Money let Tanzanians deposit and withdraw without a bank account, and the majority of betting transactions now run through those rails. Affordable smartphones put the products in more hands, and operators built around the behaviour: low minimum stakes and instant payouts straight to a mobile wallet. Our payment methods guide covers how deposits and withdrawals work in practice.
How Regulators Are Responding to the Growth
The Gaming Board of Tanzania has kept its freeze on new slot-machine licences in place while it reviews compliance nationwide, and signed an agreement with local government authorities to share inspection data and support enforcement against unlicensed premises. On tax, industry press reports a proposed 5% excise duty on betting stakes, expected to raise roughly TZS 74.5 billion, sitting alongside the existing 25% tax on gross gaming revenue — cut to 15% for casinos in 2021. Rates and proposals change often, so confirm current figures with the Gaming Board or the Tanzania Revenue Authority.
The Sh300 Billion Target and the Illegal Machine Problem
The sector's stated ambition is Sh300 billion in revenue, a target The Citizen reported in September 2026 as contingent on formalising the market. Unlicensed betting machines are the obstacle: they pay no tax, offer no consumer protection, and winnings on them may not be honoured. The Tanzania Gaming Association has engaged PwC to argue for a framework that does not push bettors toward those informal venues.
What the Revenue Growth Means for Tanzanian Players
Growth is a reason to prefer licensed, taxed operators. They run age and KYC checks, provide deposit limits and self-exclusion, and appear on the Gaming Board's public register. If you are unsure where gambling stands legally, start with our answer on whether online casinos are legal in Tanzania, then set a budget before you play and stick to it.
18+. Gambling is for adults only — bet within a budget you can afford to lose, and treat it as entertainment rather than income. If play stops feeling like fun, use the self-exclusion and limit tools your operator provides. Browse the licensed operators in our directory to start with a regulated site.