Mozambique sets November start for online casino rules

Operators face a 26 per cent local ownership threshold, minimum capital requirements and new controls on payments, data storage and unlicensed platforms.

Key takeaways:

• Mozambique’s new online gambling regulations are reported to take effect on November 20, 2026.
• Online casino concessionaires must have at least 26 per cent Mozambican ownership.
• Operators need minimum share capital of 100m meticais.
• Licensed platforms must use .mz domains, process transactions in meticais and retain gambling data in Mozambique for at least 10 years.
• Telecommunications operators and internet service providers must implement website-blocking orders within 48 hours of notification.

Mozambique.- Mozambique is preparing to bring online casino operations under a dedicated regulatory framework, establishing new conditions for companies seeking to serve the country’s gambling market. Decree No. 61/2026 introduces licensing, ownership, financial and technical requirements, while setting out measures relating to player protection and the enforcement of rules against unlicensed platforms. The rules are scheduled to take effect on November 20, 2026, giving operators a defined set of requirements for entering the regulated market, according to Mozambique’s Ministry of Economy.

In an announcement published on October 14, Mozambique’s Ministry of Economy confirmed that Decree No. 61/2026 had been published in the country’s official government gazette (Boletim da República). The ministry said the framework aims to reinforce legality, transparency, traceability, security, player protection and sector responsibility. The decree follows the approval of Mozambique’s first dedicated online gambling framework in July 2026.

Article 90 of the decree identifies 10 categories of people prohibited from participating in online games of chance, according to DinheiroFala. The reported categories include minors, certain public officials, people involved in gambling regulation and oversight, gambling-company employees, specified financial-sector workers, people who have self-excluded and individuals otherwise barred by judicial or administrative decisions.

Under the new framework, which takes effect on November 20, online casino operators must obtain a state concession and operate as companies incorporated under Mozambican law, according to Lusa. Concessionaires must have at least 26 per cent Mozambican ownership and a minimum share capital of 100m meticais (US$1.6m).

Licensed platforms must use internet domains ending in .mz, while bets, deposits, prizes, withdrawals and other gambling-related transactions must be conducted exclusively in meticais. Payments must be processed through financial institutions and payment service providers authorised in Mozambique.

Operators must retain gambling-related data within Mozambique for at least 10 years. The regulation also provides for action against unlicensed online gambling platforms, including website-blocking measures. Telecommunications operators and internet service providers must implement blocking orders within 48 hours of notification.

According to Lusa’s report on the legislation, player-protection measures include restrictions on participation by people under 18, self-exclusion options, temporary account suspensions and voluntary deposit limits. The rules cover online games including roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker, bingo, keno and virtual gaming machines.

Mozambique collected 161m meticais (US$2.5m) in special gambling tax revenue in the first half of 2026, compared with 175.2m meticais (US$2.7m) in the same period in 2025. These figures indicate a decline of approximately 8.1 per cent.

The new rules build on Mozambique’s broader efforts to reform online gambling regulation, which were also discussed at the Gaming Regulators Africa Forum (GRAF 2026).

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

• When do Mozambique’s online casino rules take effect? The new framework is set to take effect on November 20, 2026.
• How much local ownership must online casinos have in Mozambique? Online casino concessionaires must have at least 26 per cent Mozambican ownership and a minimum share capital of 100m meticais.
• What payment and domain rules apply to online casinos? Licensed operators must use .mz domains, while bets, deposits, prizes and withdrawals must be conducted exclusively in meticais through authorised providers.
• How will Mozambique block unlicensed online gambling sites? The framework provides for blocking unauthorised gambling platforms. Telecommunications operators and internet service providers must implement blocking orders within 48 hours of notification.