The Gaming Board of Tanzania is a gaming regulatory body that was established under the Gaming Act Cap. 41 and became effective on 1st July 2003. It is responsible for overseeing, monitoring, and regulating the conduct of gaming activities in Tanzania.
The Pools and Lotteries Act of 1967 and the National Lotteries Act of 1974 historically governed the gambling business in Tanzania. The defunct National Lotteries only ran the national lottery as a prominent gaming business in Tanzania up until the start of economic reforms in 1985. Investment projects in the hospitality and leisure industries were sparked by economic liberalization policies and reform initiatives, particularly the National Investments Promotions and Protection Act of 1992. The National Policy on Gaming Activities was created as a result of the ongoing economic reforms, which also led to the Gaming Act Cap. 41 and the establishment of the Gaming Board of Tanzania.
The main roles of the board are:
- Licensing- It is responsible for issuing licenses to all gaming operators
- Compliance and Inspection- Inspections are regularly conducted to ensure complete compliance with the relevant law in order to ensure compliance with the gaming law and regulations. Inspections cover a variety of topics, such as the suitability of gaming locations, safety regulations, organizational structure, and employee licenses for gambling. Compliance with internal casino control procedures and minimum criteria for gaming devices are two more areas of assessment.
- Advising on Gaming Tax- Providing guidance to the government on gaming tax issues
- Compliant and Dispute Settlement
Read Also: Online Sports Betting in Tanzania: Big Operators
Types Of License
- Casino license for conducting table games and slot machines
- Slot machines or route operation for promotion of slot machines business in a shop
- Manufacturer’s certificate for manufacturing of gaming equipment including its spare part
- Seller’s or distributor’s license for supplying, selling, or servicing gaming equipment
- Key gaming employee for a person in charge of any gaming activity at all times when the game is conducted
- Accreditation license for a person engaged in non-gaming activity within gaming premises
- A support license is required for a person employed in gaming activities or a gaming employee
- A retail gaming license is required by a retailer on a premise on which he maintains sole and exclusive legal possession of the entire premise for which he is issued
- Internet casino license for conducting casino games through remote devices with an Internet connection
- SMS lottery license for conducting SMS lotteries for commercial purposes
- Principal license for sports betting and slot machines operations
- Internet sports betting license
- Sports betting terminal license
- Certificate of suitability for the license of gaming activities
Gaming industry is viewed and understood differently by diverse stakeholders due to its uniqueness. However, gaming activities are investable world widely especially due to the accelerating developments in the information and communication technology. Thus, GBT will continue to implement appropriate policies and measures to foster growth in a socially responsible manner in order to instill confidence and trust among our stakeholders.
James B. Mbalwe, Director General Gambling of Tanzania
Kindly open this link to learn more about procedures and fees for different types of licenses.
Source: Gaming Board of Tanzania
