In the fiscal year that concluded in June 2026, Tanzania’s gambling industry brought in TZS307.8 billion in tax revenue as the market continued to evolve due to rising smartphone usage, digital payments and greater online participation.
James Mbalwe, director general of the Gaming Board of Tanzania, pointed out that while the regulator views online gambling as an important factor in the industry’s growth, it also warns that illicit machines, unregulated websites and inadequate player-protection measures continue to be serious obstacles.
The regulator did acknowledge, that the rapid expansion is revealing vulnerabilities in the nation’s gambling system. Mbalwe added by saying that in collaboration with the Police Cybersecurity Bureau and the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority, the authorities are stepping up their efforts to combat illegal online operators.
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He points out that the most recent data pertains to the fiscal year 2025–2026, which concluded in June. Gaming tax receipts had been increasing according to the board’s previous public reporting and Mbalwe’s remarks imply that this trend continued into the most recent fiscal year.
Mbalwe attributed the increase in revenue to availability to mobile phones. He claims that the increasing use of mobile devices has made it simpler to access internet gambling without physically visiting a location, especially sports betting and casinos.
Additionally, he attributes the market’s expansion to Tanzania’s youthful population and their experience with digital entertainment. He claims that the shift from physical retail gaming to online products has altered the sector’s income mix.
According to Mbalwe, economic and legal changes have made the industry more accessible to private investment. Gaming companies are privately held and accessible to both domestic and foreign investors, with the exception of the national lottery, which he points out is still privately operated but owned by the government.
