Zambia Casinos
Online casinos in Zambia have no licence of their own. The law licenses bookmakers and land-based casinos, and only operators holding a Zambian licence are legal. Betting is licensed by the Betting Control and Licensing Board under the Betting Control Act, casinos are licensed under the Tourism and Hospitality Act, and lotteries have separate laws.
Foreign gambling sites are not authorised. The Betting Control Act requires a licence issued under the Act itself, no foreign licence is recognised, and carrying on bookmaking without one is an offence. Since 1 January 2026 licensed betting companies also pay a 5 percent levy on deposits and withdrawals, collected by the Zambia Revenue Authority.
Are online casinos legal in Zambia?
Only through operators licensed in Zambia. Bookmakers need a licence from the Betting Control and Licensing Board under the Betting Control Act, land-based casinos are licensed under the Tourism and Hospitality Act, and there is no separate licence class for online casinos. Foreign licences are not recognised, and carrying on bookmaking without a Zambian licence is an offence. The minimum age is 18.
Understanding online casinos in Zambia
The legal status of online casinos in Zambia
Zambia’s main betting law is the Betting Control Act of 1957 (Chapter 166), last amended by Act No. 50 of 2021. It sets up the Betting Control and Licensing Board and states plainly that no one may carry on business as a bookmaker except under a licence. Doing it without one is an offence, with fines that rise for repeat convictions. Land-based casinos sit under a different law, the Tourism and Hospitality Act, and gaming machines are only allowed with a casino licence.
What the laws do not have is a dedicated online casino licence. That gap is sometimes described as a grey area, but it does not open the door to foreign sites: a licence from another country counts for nothing under Zambian law. Lawmakers have also discussed whether the current rules cover online betting well enough, so changes are possible. You can read the statutes themselves at ZambiaLII, the country’s free legal information service.
The betting levy from 2026
The Betting Levy Act 2025 came into force on 1 January 2026. Licensed betting companies pay a 5 percent levy on every deposit into and every withdrawal from a customer’s gaming account, and file monthly returns with the Zambia Revenue Authority within ten days of the month ending. Brick and mortar betting shops are exempt. The levy is charged to the operator, but it is worth knowing about because it shapes how licensed sites handle deposits and payouts.
Age limits and minors
The legal age for betting in Zambia is 18. In October 2026 the Zambia Gaming Association warned that online betting on smartphones makes the ban on underage gambling harder to enforce. Licensed operators are expected to check age and identity before anyone plays.
Responsible gambling
Gambling should come out of money you can afford to lose and stay a form of entertainment, never a way to make a living. Set a budget before you play, take breaks and stop if you find yourself chasing losses. If it stops feeling like fun, talk to someone you trust and read our responsible gambling guide for the warning signs and where to find help.
Are online casinos legal in Zambia?
Only when the operator holds a Zambian licence. The law licenses bookmakers through the Betting Control and Licensing Board and land-based casinos under the Tourism and Hospitality Act, and there is no separate online casino licence. Foreign licences are not recognised, so foreign sites are not authorised.
Who regulates gambling in Zambia?
Betting is regulated by the Betting Control and Licensing Board under the Betting Control Act. Land-based casinos are licensed under the Tourism and Hospitality Act, lotteries have their own laws, and since January 2026 the Zambia Revenue Authority also collects the betting levy from licensed betting companies.
What is the betting levy in Zambia?
Under the Betting Levy Act 2025, licensed betting companies pay a 5 percent levy on all deposits into and withdrawals from customers’ gaming accounts from 1 January 2026. The Zambia Revenue Authority collects it through monthly returns, and brick and mortar betting shops are exempt.
Are foreign gambling sites legal in Zambia?
No. The Betting Control Act requires a licence issued under the Act itself and does not recognise licences from other countries. Carrying on bookmaking without a Zambian licence is an offence, so foreign sites that take bets from Zambia are not authorised.
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