Malawi gambling ads allowed only between 9pm and 6am under enforced rules
MAGLA reinforces strict 9pm-6am advertising window for betting promotions as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen compliance and ensure responsible gambling practices across the industry.
Malawi.- Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority (MAGLA) has announced that betting advertisements may only be broadcast between 9pm and 6am as it moves to strengthen compliance across the industry.
The rule was reiterated during a recent stakeholder engagement, where MAGLA met with betting operators, broadcasters and the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA).
MAGLA Director General Rachel Mijiga said: “As a society, we must balance economic activity and social responsibility.” She added that “adults can still access gambling advertisements from 9pm within the permitted window” when children are less likely to be part of the audience.
The regulator confirmed the restriction under Directive No. 1 of 2025, aimed at reducing exposure of minors and vulnerable groups to gambling content. The clarification provides operators with more practical compliance guidance as Malawi strengthens enforcement of responsible gambling standards across its expanding betting market.
Under the rule, responsibility for compliance rests primarily with licensed operators, who must ensure that all advertising activity is scheduled within the approved timeframe.
The measure forms part of Malawi’s broader regulatory framework under the Gaming and Lotteries Act 2022, as authorities continue to tighten oversight of gambling advertising and market conduct.
The stakeholder engagement in Blantyre also brought together representatives from the advertising and broadcasting sectors, alongside regulators, to discuss broader issues around compliance, monitoring and the enforcement of responsible gambling standards. The discussions focused on improving coordination between industry players and regulators as Malawi continues to strengthen oversight of its gambling advertising framework.
