BetLion said in an official notice: \u201cDue to the new 10 per cent excise duty, BetLion operations are temporarily paused. Your funds remain safe<\/strong> and available for withdrawal<\/strong>.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n BetPawa clarified its service adjustments in a notice, stating: \u201cTo comply with the new excise tax from the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA)<\/strong>, Casino<\/strong> and Jackpot<\/strong> are now unavailable<\/strong>. Sports betting and Virtuals<\/strong> remain live, with a 10 per cent stake tax automatically applied<\/strong> and clearly shown on your bet slip.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n On October 3, 2025, Zambia\u2019s Constitutional Court dismissed a petition<\/strong> from Betway and betPawa, which sought to prevent the ZRA and the Attorney General from collecting the 10 per cent excise duty. The ruling allows the ZRA to continue enforcing the levy<\/strong> while the broader constitutional case proceeds<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ZRA maintains that the tax is a consumption duty borne by betting players, not operators, and that it was enacted following stakeholder engagemen<\/strong>t. Betway and betPawa argued that the tax, introduced mid-financial year, was excessive, unclear<\/strong> and implemented without adequate consultation<\/strong>, making compliance difficult and potentially unsustainable<\/strong> for businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The legal challenge <\/strong>that triggered Betway\u2019s suspension remains ongoing<\/strong>. Betway has temporarily halted all operations in Zambia due to the excise duty, while the broader constitutional case continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recent reports indicate that enforcement of the excise duty could destabilise the sector<\/strong>, particularly for smaller operators who may struggle to absorb the tax. Concerns also include potential job losses<\/strong> and the possibility that operators might pass the tax burden onto customers, affecting betting patterns<\/strong> and overall industry growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finance and National Planning Minister<\/strong> Situmbeko Musokotwane defended the levy<\/strong>, emphasising that it followed stakeholder engagement and that the ZRA is obligated to enforce the law. The court\u2019s dismissal of the interim injunction reaffirmed the principle of \u201cpay now, argue later<\/strong>\u201d, a cornerstone of Zambia\u2019s tax administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With legal proceedings still ongoing, Zambia\u2019s betting industry faces uncertainty<\/strong> as stakeholders monitor whether negotiations, court rulings or legislative adjustments will balance government revenue objectives with the sustainability of operators<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/10\/LIONBET-600x600.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBetway halts amid ongoing court case<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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