TLDR
- Mozambique’s Council of Ministers approved a new regulation for online gambling, separating it from land-based casino rules.
- The framework treats digital gambling as its own independent category for the first time.
- Casino tax revenue fell short of government targets in 2025, partly blamed on the rise of online betting.
- Mozambique already requires large capital investments from land-based casino operators in cities like Maputo and Beira.
- The gambling framework follows new rules limiting unwanted SMS marketing from betting companies.
Mozambique has passed its first standalone law for online gambling. The Council of Ministers approved the new regulation during a weekly meeting this week.
The rule is called the Regulation on the Operation and Practice of Games of Chance through Electronic or Computerised Means. It creates a separate licensing system just for online operators.
Before this law, online betting fell under general gambling rules. Those rules were built mainly for physical casinos.
Council spokesperson Inocêncio Impissa said the new law treats online gambling as its own category. He described it as an independent activity, separate from land-based casino concessions.
Falling Casino Revenue Pushed the Change
Government data shows a drop in casino tax income. The Ministry of Finance’s 2025 Budget Execution Report found that casino taxes brought in about $4.8 million.
That number was only 54% of the $8.8 million the government had expected for the year. It was also lower than the $5.1 million collected in 2024.
Officials pointed to the growth of online games as a reason for the shortfall. They said more players are choosing to bet online instead of visiting physical casinos.
Mozambique currently has casino and slot machine licenses in several cities. These include Maputo, Matola, Beira, Tete, Nampula, and Pemba.
Casino operators face high entry costs. They must hold at least $2.7 million in share capital and invest $5.5 million within their first five years.
Under current tax rules, casinos pay a Special Tax on Gambling. That tax is based on gross gaming revenue and ranges from 20% to 35%, depending on how long the concession lasts.
Operators also pay a stamp duty equal to half the price of each entry ticket. Some tax breaks apply for casino equipment imports.
New Rules Also Target Gambling Text Messages
The gambling law comes shortly after Mozambique introduced new limits on marketing text messages. The National Communications Institute of Mozambique published rules requiring clear customer consent before sending promotional SMS.
Mobile providers must give customers a free way to block these messages. Companies had 60 days to submit their compliance plans.
Full blocking systems must be working within 180 days. Once a customer opts out, ads must stop right away.
Businesses that ignore the rules could face penalties. These may include service suspension or limited access to telecom systems.
Together, the two laws show the government taking a closer look at how gambling operators reach and manage customers. The online gambling framework marks a shift toward treating internet-based betting as its own regulated space.
