The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA)<\/strong> said: \u201cOn November 20 2025, ZRA will recognise and honour compliant taxpayers<\/strong> for the essential role they play in building a stronger nation<\/strong>.\u201d It further reminded taxpayers, including gambling operators, to “Beat the deadline! File returns<\/strong> and pay correct taxes on time”, noting that the most recent deadline was just days ago on November 14.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The levy was introduced under amendments to the Customs and Excise Act<\/strong> (implemented in 2025) that add a 10 per cent excise duty on betting services. The Constitutional Court<\/strong> dismissed BetPawa and Betway\u2019s application for an interim injunction on October 3, allowing the ZRA to continue collecting the duty while the full constitutional challenge proceeds. Statutory guidance and public notices<\/strong> require operators to compute and remit the duty monthly, with payments due by the middle of the following month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 10 per cent levy is technically a tax on players\u2019 bets<\/strong>, described by ZRA as a consumption tax borne by bettors. Operators<\/strong> are legally responsible for collecting and remitting<\/strong> the tax. In practice, players may likely experience reduced net winnings<\/strong> or slightly higher betting costs. Operators must adapt their accounting and product pricing to comply with the law.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane<\/strong> confirmed that the government has begun discussions with betting firms to address industry concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Lusaka Times report said: \u201cThe minister stated that consultations<\/strong> with betting companies are ongoing and that government is open to receiving feedback<\/strong> from all stakeholders to ensure that the tax policy achieves its intended purpose without disrupting the sustainability of the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Musokotwane emphasised the social rationale behind the levy and said: \u201cThe decision<\/strong> to implement the 10 percent excise tax was not made to cripple the gaming and betting sector, but rather to address the growing social problems<\/strong> associated with betting and gambling addiction.\u201d While consultations may identify areas for adjustment<\/strong> or additional regulations, the legal and administrative framework remains in force. Operators are required to meet their statutory obligations while engaging with regulators and government<\/strong> to find workable solutions that balance revenue collection, social protection and industry sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/ZAMBIA-2-600x600.jpg\")
Government in talks with betting firms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Industry responses have varied. BetLion<\/strong> has suspended operations; betPawa<\/strong> paused casino and jackpot offerings while continuing sports betting under the duty; and Betway<\/strong> temporarily suspended services and ended a major sponsorship with the Zambian Premier League, citing financial strain linked to the levy. These actions underscore the immediate commercial pressures the sector faces as the legal process and consultations continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/09\/new-jersey-lawmaker-proposes-bill-to-lift-college-sports-wagering-ban-900x600-300x200.jpg\")
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