Malawi opens applications for new casino and sports betting licences
MAGLA invites local and international operators to compete for new licences as applications open for the country’s latest gambling licensing round.
Malawi.- The Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority (MAGLA) has opened applications for new land-based casino and sports betting licences, giving local and international operators a fresh opportunity to enter the country’s regulated gambling market.
MAGLA issued notices on June 6, inviting applications for land-based casino and sports betting licences, with sports betting submissions due by July 10 and casino applications closing on July 15.
The casino licensing process is being conducted under Section 18 of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 2022, as outlined in MAGLA’s Invitation for Applications – Land-Based Casino Licence (2026) notice. Sports betting applications, meanwhile, fall under Section 27 of the Act and the Gaming and Lotteries (Sports Betting) Regulations 2025, in accordance with the regulator’s Invitation for Applications – Sports Betting Licence (2026) notice.
In the land-based casino notice, MAGLA invited “qualified local and foreign applicants to submit applications for consideration for the grant of a Land-Based Casino Licence in Malawi.”
In a separate sports betting notice, MAGLA invited qualified local and foreign applicants to apply for a Sports Betting Licence in Malawi.
Strict licensing requirements apply
MAGLA said all applicants will undergo comprehensive regulatory scrutiny before any licences are awarded. “Applicants shall be subject to fit and proper, financial integrity, beneficial ownership and regulatory due diligence assessments in accordance with the Gaming and Lotteries Act, applicable Regulations and the RFP,” the authority said.
Request for Proposal (RFP) documents became available on June 8. The land-based casino notice reads: “Interested applicants may obtain the RFP from MAGLA upon payment of a non-refundable fee of K500,000 (US$290) and upon submission of proof of payment.”
For sports betting licences, local applicants are required to pay a non-refundable fee of MWK2m (US$1,150) to obtain the RFP document, while foreign applicants must pay US$1,500.
MAGLA noted that the invitation does not guarantee the award of a licence and reserves the right to reject applications, amend the process or vary timelines in accordance with the terms of the notices. Applications will be evaluated in accordance with the Gaming and Lotteries Act, applicable regulations and the published RFP criteria.
