Ushering New Era in the Regulation of Gaming Industry in Tanzania
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 gaming industry in Tanzania was previously regulated under the Pools and Lotteries Act, 1967 and the National Lotteries Act, 1974. Until the onset of economic reforms in 1985, only the national lottery was conducted as a significant gaming activity in Tanzania by the defunct National Lotteries.
The economic liberalization policy and reform programs, and particularly the enactment of the National Investments Promotions and Protection Act of 1992, stimulated investment projects in the hotel and leisure industry.
The continued economic reforms necessitated the formulation of the National Policy on Gaming Activities and subsequent enactment of the Gaming Act Cap. 41, hence the Gaming Board of Tanzania.
Brief History
The gaming industry in Tanzania was previously regulated under the Pools and Lotteries Act, 1967 and the National Lotteries Act, 1974.
Until the onset of economic reforms in 1985, only the national lottery was conducted as a significant gaming activity in Tanzania by the defunct National Lotteries.
The economic liberalization policy and reform programs, and particularly the enactment of the National Investments Promotions and Protection Act of 1992, stimulated investment projects in the hotel and leisure industry.
The continued economic reforms necessitated the formulation of the National Policy on Gaming Activities and subsequent enactment of the Gaming Act Cap. 41, hence the Gaming Board of Tanzania.
Vision Statement
To become a world-class gaming regulator that contributes meaningfully to the social and economic development of Tanzania.
Mission Statement
To properly regulate the gaming industry in Tanzania to ensure integrity, maximization of long term social-economic benefits and protection of the gaming public from gaming hazards by enforcing a world class gaming legislation and adapting best practices.
Core Values
Gaming Board of Tanzania believes in the following guiding principles values:
- Honesty and integrity
- Professionalism
- Efficiency and effectiveness
- Teamwork
- Excellent customer service
Major Activities
Major activities of the Gaming Board of Tanzania include the following:
Licensing
The Gaming Board of Tanzania is responsible for issuing licenses to all gaming operators.
Inspection
In ensuring compliance with the gaming law and regulations, inspections are carried out continuously to ascertain full compliance with the pertinent law.
Inspections include inter alia, suitability of gaming premises, safety requirements, organization structure and gaming employees licenses.
Other areas of inspection include compliance with gaming devices minimum requirements and casino internal control procedures.
Advising on Gaming Tax and Compliance
The responsibility of advising the government on gaming tax matters.
Gaming operators must conform to gaming rules, specifications, policies, standards and laws. The Gaming Board has a goal that gambling businesses aspire to achieve in their efforts to ensure that they are aware of and take steps to comply with the Gaming Act Cap. 41 of 2003 and its amendments.
https://glica.gamingboard.go.tz/files/Download/GamingActCap41.pdf
Core Services
Licensing
Type of Licenses and Certificates
Gaming Board of Tanzania may issue the following types of gaming licenses and certificates, as per section 26 of the Gaming Act Cap. 41 and its related amendments:
- 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 licence for supplying, selling or servicing the gaming equipment
- Key gaming employee for a person in charge of any gaming activity at all times when the game is conducted
- Accreditation licence for a person engaged in non-gaming activity within gaming premises
- Support licence, required for a person employed in the gaming activities or a gaming employee
- A retail gaming licence 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 licence for conducting casino games through remote devices with internet connection
- SMS lottery licence for conducting SMS lotteries for commercial purposes
- Principal license for sports betting and slot machines operations
- Internet sports betting licence
- Sports betting terminal licence
- Certificate of suitability for a licence of gaming activities
Forms
Bankroll Requirement Declaration Form for Lotteries (GBT34)
165.8 Kb
Vetting Form (GBT05A)111.8 Kb
Application for Sports Betting Licence339.5 Kb
Minimum Bankroll Declaration Form for Casino (GBT33)20.3 Kb
Application for Seller’s/Distributor’s Licence (GBT04)35.2 Kb
Application for Support Gaming Employee Licence (GBT05)33.1 Kb
Application for Key Gaming Employee Licence (GBT05)28.3 Kb
Application for Renewal of Gaming Licence (GBT19)19.6 Kb
Application for Forty Machines Site Licence (GBT35)39.9 Kb
Application for Slot Machine/Route Operation Licence (GBT02)52.7 Kb
Application for Casino Licence (GBT01)52.3 Kb
Application for a Licence To Manage The National Lottery (GBT08)45.9 Kb
Legislation: Policy, Act, Regulations
Policy
National Policy on Gaming Activities4 Mb
Act
Regulations
|
Review of Application and Licence Fees (GN No. 401) | |
92.7 Kb |
|
Gaming Regulations GN No. 278 (Forty Machines Site Regulations) | |
124.3 Kb |
|
Gaming Regulations GN No. 385 | |
8.5 Mb |
Rules
|
Sports Betting Rules, 2016 | |
273.3 Kb |
Standards
Standards – Smart Interface for Gaming Machines, 2019546.8 Kb
Standards – Gaming Devices for Route Operations, 2018710.9 Kb
Standards – Central Electronic Monitoring System for Route Operations, 2018442.2 Kb
FORMS: Application, Tax and Others
Bankroll Requirement Declaration Form for Lotteries (GBT34)165.8 Kb
Vetting Form (GBT05A)111.8 Kb
Application for Sports Betting Licence339.5 Kb
Minimum Bankroll Declaration Form for Casino (GBT33)20.3 Kb
Application for Seller’s/Distributor’s Licence (GBT04)35.2 Kb
Application for Support Gaming Employee Licence (GBT05)33.1 Kb
Application for Key Gaming Employee Licence (GBT05)28.3 Kb
Application for Renewal of Gaming Licence (GBT19)19.6 Kb
Application for Forty Machines Site Licence (GBT35)39.9 Kb
Application for Slot Machine/Route Operation Licence (GBT02)52.7 Kb
Application for Casino Licence (GBT01)52.3 Kb
Application for a Licence To Manage The National Lottery (GBT08)45.9 Kb
Online Systems and Applications
Online Systems
GLICA
GLICA (Gaming Licensing, Inspection & Compliance Application) is an online application that primarily manages all core business functions of GBT which relates to its regulatory role, including licensing, inspection, compliance, investigation, enforcement, policy and legislation.
SYSTEMS USERS: Gaming Licensees
CONDITIONS: All Users must have a valid gaming licence
REQUIREMENTS: HTML5 Browser compatible, Speed of not less than 5Mbps, Active GLICA Username and Password
ACCESS LINK: https://glica.gamingboard.go.tz
ERMS
ERMS (Enterprise Resources Management Suite) is an information system for managing and automating GBT’s support functions including planning, budgeting, accounts, HR, projects, procurement, assets and inventory.
SYSTEMS USERS: GBT Staff Members
CONDITIONS: All Users must be employees of GBT
REQUIREMENTS: HTML5 Browser compatible, Speed of not less than 5Mbps, GovNet connectivity, Active ERMS Username and Password
ACCESS LINK: http://erms.gamingboard.go.tz
eOffice
eOffice is an e-Filing System that automates and handles the processes of receiving and dispatching files and letter within GBT.
With this system the movements of files and letters become seamless and there is more transparency in the system since each and every action taken on files is recorded electronically, this simplifies decision making as all the required information is available at a single point.
SYSTEMS USERS: GBT Staff Members
CONDITIONS: All Users must be employees of GBT
REQUIREMENTS: HTML5 Browser compatible, Speed of not less than 5Mbps, GovNet connectivity, Active eOffice Username and Password
ACCESS LINK: http://eoffice.gov.go.tz
GREMS
GREMS (Gaming Regulatory Electronic Monitoring System) is an electronic regulatory tool that monitors and provides assurance on revenue generation from all gaming activities.
Its functions include government revenue control, responsible gaming, market awareness and business intelligence.
SYSTEMS USERS: Gaming Licensees
CONDITIONS: All Users must have a valid gaming licence
REQUIREMENTS: HTML5 Browser compatible, Speed of not less than 5Mbps, Active GREMS Username and Password
ACCESS LINK: http://grems.gamingboard.go.tz
Statutory Functions
The Gaming Board of Tanzania is responsible for the following functions, as per section 7 subsection 2 of the Gaming Act Cap. 41:
- Granting, issuing, suspending, withdrawing and amending of a gaming license and any other license pertinent to the gaming activities;
- Advising on the imposition of taxes, levies and fees in respect of any gaming activities and collection thereof;
- Devising policy guidelines and setting norms and standards of conduct for lotteries and gaming activities;
- Fostering the stability and success of gaming and preserving the competitive economy and free competition;
- Bringing about honesty and competitiveness in the gaming industry;
- Conducting a continuous study and investigation of gaming activities for the purpose of ascertaining any defects in the rules and regulation, in order to discover abuses in administration and operations of the industry and to deal with them;
- Exercising such other incidental powers as may be necessary to ensure safe and orderly regulation of the industry including performing background checks of the applicants, qualifications and registration thereof, approving gaming employees licensees, internal control procedures and testing of gaming devices
- Defining standards, principles and procedures in respect of operations, premises, equipment, personnel, supplies and procurement of services and enforcing compliance thereof;
- Developing a mechanism for stakeholder’s involvement and measures for dealing with the adverse social impact of gaming activities; and
- Doing all other things which are necessary for or in connection with the performance of its functions and powers to enable it to discharge its duties.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the estimated duration of obtaining the gaming license?
According to regulation 6 of the Gaming Regulations, 2003 the estimated duration of obtaining the license from the date of completing the application is within thirty days and where GBT fails to approve or disapprove within the stipulated time you will be notified of the delay and the need to extend the time for processing the application.
2. Where can I get assistance/send my inquires?
Please send your inquiry via email [email protected] or call +255 22 2124703.
3. What are the fee and tax applicable for different gaming licenses?
The fee can be accessed through the GBT website www.gamingboard.go.tz on the “Legislation” menu under the “Regulations” submenu.
4. How can someone obtain the Application Form and lodge the application?
You can obtain the application form and lodge your application via the Gaming Licensing, Inspection and Compliance Application, GLICA at http://gilca.gamingboard.go.tz.
5. What is the tenure of gaming licenses?
The tenure of license for all commercial undertakings saves for the National Lottery is one year and can be renewable. National Lottery Licence tenure is eight (8) whereas the tenure for gaming employee’s license is two years.
6. What are the general qualifications, requirements, and procedures for obtaining a gaming license in Tanzania?
The general and detailed qualifications and requirements for obtaining a gaming license in Tanzania can be accessed through the GBT Website www.gamingboard.go.tz on the “Resources” menu under the “Downloads” submenu.