Is online gambling legal in Tanzania?
Yes, online betting has effectively been legal and regulated in Tanzania since 2012, when the government amended the existing legislation to account for online gambling and bring online operators under the relevant licensing regime.
The licensing system is run by the Gaming Board of Tanzania.
Is it safe to bet online in Tanzania?
Yes, since 2012, if bettors in Tanzania use licensed and regulated platforms that come under the authority of the Gaming Board of Tanzania, there is no reason to worry and fret.
How do deposits and withdrawals work in Tanzania for online betting?
Major credit cards like Visa and MasterCard, and sometimes American Express, are accepted at most sites in Tanzania.
Prepaid credit and debit cards are also a popular option used by Tanzanians.
E-wallets like Skrill and Neteller are usually available too. The locally run sites mostly offer mobile money transfer services like Vodacom M-Pesa, Airtel Money, etc.
There is also a “voucher” system, which requires going into the physical store of the betting company, buying the said voucher, and then using this voucher to make an online deposit at the operator’s website.
Is mobile betting available in Tanzania?
Yes. Mobile phones have a 77% market penetration in Tanzania! Almost every betting platform offers online betting services to its customers.
Which are the popular sports for betting in Tanzania?
Football (soccer) is not only the biggest sport in Africa but also in Tanzania. Tanzanians love European football – the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, German Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League are big hits amongst the crowd.
Boxing and basketball are very popular in the country as well with rugby slowly gaining popularity.
Are winnings from betting taxable?
Yes, if you use sports betting sites that are regulated by the Gaming Board of Tanzania, then winnings are subject to 20% tax, minus the amount bet. The amount is collected on the Board’s behalf and paid by the Tanzanian sports betting sites.
However, Tanzanians who use European licensed sites then tax winnings are taxed differently.
Is the sports betting market fairly regulated in Tanzania?
Tanzania is one of the most progressive countries on the African continent. It legalised gambling in 1992, under the Investment Promotion and Protection Act. It legalised online gambling in 1999 as an amendment to the Gaming Control Act.
The Gaming Board of Tanzania (GBT) was established in 2003. It is responsible for issuing licences to casinos and sports betting sites. The board is also responsible for ensuring licensed operators follow strict guidelines surrounding security, fairness, and protection of player funds and privacy. The GBT does a fantastic job in the country.