Zambia’s gambling sector hit by persistent power outages
Casinos and sports betting operators face operational and compliance challenges as frequent blackouts disrupt services and revenue.
Zambia.- Zambia’s gambling sector is under pressure as frequent power outages disrupt casinos and sports betting operations across the country. Operators warn that blackouts are not only affecting services but also making it difficult to meet regulatory and tax obligations, raising concerns over revenue and investor confidence.
The Zambia Gaming Association (ZGA) says the ongoing power cuts are hitting the sector hard. “Persistent power outages are undermining the ability of gaming operators to meet their tax obligations, as intermittent operations complicate the tracking and reporting processes,” said the ZGA in a statement.
Load shedding has become a regular occurrence nationwide, leaving gaming machines, point-of-sale systems and online betting platforms offline for extended periods. These interruptions frustrate customers and result in potential revenue losses and operational inefficiencies. The ZGA warned that continued disruptions could weaken investor confidence in Zambia’s once-booming gaming sector.
Operators adapt as Zambia modernises gambling laws
The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) regulates casinos, lotteries and sports betting operators, while the Ministry of Tourism and Arts oversees broader industry operations with the Ministry of Finance and National Planning managing taxation compliance. Zambia’s gambling framework, anchored in the Betting Control Act, Lotteries Act and Pools Act, is designed to ensure fairness and transparency.
To modernise the sector, the government has approved legislation to replace outdated laws and strengthen oversight, particularly for digital and online gambling platforms. These reforms provide a robust compliance framework and safeguard players, a move operators say is increasingly important as power outages continue to disrupt operations and tax reporting.
Operators are exploring solutions such as backup generators and solar power to maintain operations during outages. Industry representatives have also urged regulators to adopt flexible reporting mechanisms that account for interruptions caused by load shedding.
As Zambia continues to grapple with energy shortages, collaboration between gaming operators, regulators and the government is critical. Addressing the impact of persistent outages is essential to protect the integrity, growth and sustainability of the country’s gaming and betting sector.
