Tanzania gaming tax revenue rises to US$116.2m in 2025/26 on online gambling growth
Director general James Mbalwe said the regulator would focus on illegal gambling, electronic monitoring and player protection over the next 12 months.
Key takeaways:
- Tanzania collected TZS307.8bn in gaming taxes during the 2025/26 financial year, up from TZS260.21bn in 2024/25.
- Online gambling became the sector’s largest revenue contributor, driven by increased smartphone use and digital payments.
- Authorities seized more than 3,000 illegal slot machines during the financial year.
- The Gaming Board of Tanzania plans to introduce a central electronic self-exclusion database for licensed operators.
Tanzania.- Tanzania’s gaming industry generated TZS307.8bn (US$116.2m) in tax revenue during the 2025/26 financial year, up from TZS260.21bn (US$98.4m) in 2024/25, Gaming Board of Tanzania (GBT) director general James Mbalwe has disclosed in a recent interview.
Online gambling emerged as the sector’s largest revenue contributor, driven by increased smartphone penetration and the expansion of digital payment services. Mbalwe said this marked a shift from 2016, when land-based casinos and slot machine operations generated the largest share of gaming revenue.
Despite the revenue growth, Tanzania continues to face challenges involving unlicensed gaming operations. Mbalwe disclosed that authorities seized more than 3,000 illegal slot machines during the 2025/26 financial year. He said enforcement activities had reduced reported cases, although some operators had relocated to remote areas to avoid inspections.
The GBT is also working with local government authorities to strengthen enforcement. In July 2026, it entered into an agreement with the Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government to improve coordination and monitoring of gaming activities. It is also collaborating with the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority and the Police Cybersecurity Bureau to identify and block unlicensed online gambling platforms.
Mbalwe also pointed to gaps in the country’s player-protection measures, particularly in the handling of self-exclusion requests. Currently, individuals seeking to exclude themselves from gambling have their personal details and photographs circulated manually to licensed operators, which are expected to prevent them from accessing gambling facilities.
The GBT plans to introduce a central electronic database that would allow operators to identify self-excluded individuals in real time. Mbalwe said the proposed system could be developed through a public-private partnership. He also called for stronger provisions on responsible gambling and player protection in Tanzania’s Gaming Act, Cap 41, saying its existing safeguards largely focus on preventing underage gambling.
Separately, the GBT is pursuing an Electronic Monitoring System to strengthen supervision of slot machines and improve gaming revenue collection. In April 2026, the regulator suspended the issuance of new slot machine and route operation licences pending the system’s completion. Mbalwe identified electronic monitoring, improved revenue collection and enforcement against illegal gambling as priorities for the board over the next 12 months.
Meanwhile, Tanzania is scheduled to host the Gaming Regulatory Africa Forum (GRAF) in 2027. Mbalwe said discussions at the conference would cover cross-border illegal gambling, online gaming platform providers and taxation, among other regulatory issues.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- How much gaming tax revenue did Tanzania collect in 2025/26? Tanzania’s gaming industry generated TZS307.8bn, equivalent to US$116.2m, in tax revenue during the 2025/26 financial year, according to GBT director general James Mbalwe.
- What drove the increase in Tanzania’s gaming revenue? Online gambling was the largest revenue contributor, supported by increased smartphone penetration and the expansion of digital payment services.
- What is the Gaming Board of Tanzania doing about illegal gambling? The GBT seized more than 3,000 illegal slot machines in 2025/26 and is working with local authorities, the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority and the Police Cybersecurity Bureau to strengthen enforcement and block unlicensed online platforms.
- What player-protection reforms is Tanzania considering? The GBT plans to introduce a central electronic database allowing operators to identify self-excluded individuals in real time. Mbalwe also called for stronger responsible gambling provisions in Tanzania’s Gaming Act, Cap 41.
