Eswatini’s online gaming sector generates E9 million in tax revenue
The report shows that roughly one in four people in Eswatini’s 1.22 million population now engage in online gaming.
Eswatini.- Eswatini’s Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs has announced receipts of E9 million (€440,000) in bookmaker levies and E48,000 (€2,350) in licence fees for 2023/24, signalling a rise in online gambling activity and stronger regulatory compliance in the country.
According to the Ministry’s report, online gambling users in the country surged from 220,000 in April 2023 to 385,000 a year later, marking a 75 per cent increase. Active players also grew from 60,000 to 73,000, meaning roughly one in four people in Eswatini’s 1.22 million population now engage in online gaming. Most players are aged 18 to 35, with men forming the majority, though female involvement is on the rise. Football betting remains the top choice, followed by slots and table games.
Four companies dominate the market; MulaSport and eBet lead the pack, while newcomers 8Bet and DiskiBet are gaining ground quickly through bonuses and live events. Local operators control 60 to 70 per cent of the market, while offshore operators serve the rest.
New laws passed by Parliament have set clear licence fees: E1 million (€49,000) for online casinos, E400,000 (€19,600) for land-based casinos and E350,000 (€17,150) for lotteries. Companies pay 25 per cent tax on profits and a 15 per cent withholding tax on payments to non-residents.
The government aims to balance player protection with promoting investment in the gambling industry. Senators have proposed a special fund to treat gambling addiction, though it is not yet established. Gaming regulations also mandate support services for problem gamblers and measures to block access for underage users. Some players have already requested self-exclusion from gambling platforms.
The Gaming Board is actively reviewing new licence applications, confident that clear regulations will attract more companies and maintain a safe gambling environment.
