Few African countries live and breathe sports the way Zambia does. Football isn’t just entertainment – it’s community, identity, and part of everyday life. As mobile access has expanded across the country, this passion has naturally evolved into one of the region’s fastest-growing online betting landscapes.
Today, Zambia counts more active mobile subscriptions than people – a clear sign of how deeply digital services and mobile money are embedded in daily routines. This creates an ideal environment for operators looking to launch sportsbooks, online casino content, or virtual gaming platforms.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know to enter the market legally: licensing requirements, the application process, and how to stay compliant once you’re live.
Why Zambia Is an Attractive Betting Market
Zambia’s betting ecosystem is shaped by a combination of cultural enthusiasm and strong digital foundations:
- High mobile and internet penetration – widespread mobile access enables frictionless betting and mobile-money transactions.
- A young, digital-savvy audience – users who already engage daily with mobile entertainment.
- A deeply rooted sports-betting culture – football fandom and wagering go hand-in-hand.
- Growing adoption of mobile-money services – seamless deposits and withdrawals with no need for traditional banking.
- A market entering a strong growth phase – recent industry research positions Zambia at the early stage of a steep expansion curve for digital gaming adoption.
Combined with a clearer and more predictable regulatory framework than many neighboring jurisdictions (though recent developments such as the upheld 10% excise duty show that fiscal rules can still evolve), , Zambia offers operators both strong demand and a stable pathway for long-term market entry.
Who Regulates Betting in Zambia?
Betting activities in Zambia are supervised by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB), the national authority that oversees both retail and online operations. The BCLB is responsible for:
- Issuing and renewing betting and gaming licenses
- Evaluating online platforms, APIs, systems, and betting equipment
- Monitoring AML controls, responsible gaming measures, and reporting standards
- Conducting audits and inspections to ensure ongoing compliance
What makes the BCLB noteworthy compared to other regulators in the region is its hands-on approach: platforms are reviewed not only at the point of application but throughout their lifecycle. Operators must demonstrate that their systems remain secure, their odds engines are transparent, and their AML/CFT workflows are consistently updated.
Any operator – local or international – must hold a valid BCLB license to offer betting in Zambia. Running without one can result in heavy penalties, immediate shutdown, and exclusion from future licensing opportunities.
Types of Betting Licenses Available
Zambia offers several license categories depending on the products an operator intends to offer. The main options include:
- Bookmaker License – required for operating retail sports betting shops or online sportsbooks.
- Casino License – for land-based casinos or digital casino operations with table games and slots.
- Lottery License – covers lottery draws, number-based games, and related digital formats.
- Gaming Machine License – needed for slot machines and electronic gaming devices in retail locations.
- Online Betting License – designed for digital-first operators offering multi-product platforms, including sportsbook, virtuals, and certain casino-style content.
In practice, most international operators entering Zambia pursue the Bookmaker License or the Online Betting License, as these categories provide the broadest flexibility across sports betting, virtuals, jackpots, instant games, and selected RNG content.
These licenses also streamline market entry because the BCLB reviews both the operator and the underlying platform technology, enabling a smoother approval process for those using certified turnkey or white-label solutions.
Requirements to Apply for a Betting License in Zambia
To obtain a license from the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB), operators must demonstrate financial stability, technical readiness, and responsible gaming safeguards. Key requirements typically include:
- A locally registered company (either Zambian-owned or a foreign entity with local registration)
- Director and shareholder due diligence, including police clearance and KYC checks
- Proof of financial capacity, such as bank statements and capital plans
- A business plan outlining projected revenues and operations
- Technical documentation, including RNG certificates, system architecture, API details, and platform security measures
- AML/CFT policies aligned with national standards
- Physical premises for certain license types (mainly retail-based operations)
The BCLB evaluates applications not just on documentation but on the operator’s overall ability to run a secure, transparent, and compliant betting business.
The Licensing Process: Step-by-Step
While exact timelines vary, most operators can expect the following sequence:
- Company Registration (PACRA)
Register a local entity before submitting any gaming application. - Preparation of Documentation
Compile corporate, financial, and technical documents. Missing or incomplete submissions are the most common cause of delays. - Submission to the BCLB + Fees
The Board reviews the application, conducts background checks, and may request clarifications or additional information. - Premises Inspection or Platform Review
- Retail operators undergo on-site inspections.
- Online operators must present their platform, RNG certificates, APIs, and compliance systems for evaluation.
- Approval and Licensing
If approved, the operator receives a license valid for one year, renewable upon compliance review.
Most online-only entrants complete the process faster than hybrid or retail models, provided their technology stack is already compliant.
Costs and Taxes for Betting in Zambia
If you’re wondering what budget to consider for licensing in Zambia, the answer depends on the scope of your operation – but there are some useful benchmarks.
Operators should plan for several cost categories:
- Application fees
- Annual license fees
- Corporate income tax
- Betting taxes and levies, depending on the vertical
- Compliance and certification fees, including RNG testing and platform reviews
As a general indication:
- The application fee for an online sportsbook license typically starts around ZMW 20,000 (≈ USD 1,000).
- A retail sportsbook license can cost up to ZMW 100,000 (≈ USD 4,500–5,000), depending on the number of outlets.
- Full casino operations (slots, tables, etc.) may require initial fees of roughly ZMW 150,000 (≈ USD 7,000), with renewal fees often around ZMW 50,000 (≈ USD 2,300).
These figures should be viewed as ballpark estimates – actual fees vary based on license type, operational scale, exchange rates, and regulatory updates. Zambia remains competitively priced compared to many African jurisdictions, though operators should stay aware of fiscal changes such as the recently upheld 10% excise duty on betting stakes, which can impact operational margins.
Staying Compliant After Licensing
Obtaining a license is only the beginning. Operators in Zambia must maintain ongoing compliance to keep their approval active and avoid penalties. Key obligations include:
- Filing monthly gaming returns with accurate reporting of stakes, payouts, and taxes
- Maintaining strong AML/CFT and responsible gaming controls
- Ensuring data security, platform integrity, and operational uptime
- Submitting software updates or platform changes for approval before deployment
- Keeping all tax and levy payments up to date
The BCLB conducts periodic audits – both remote and on-site – to verify that operators continue to meet technical, financial, and operational standards. Failure to comply can lead to fines, suspension, or even revocation of the license.
For online operators specifically, compliance also extends to player verification, transaction monitoring, fair-play controls, and secure data management, as these components are reviewed throughout the platform’s lifecycle, not only at the point of application.
Entering the Zambian Market with Expert Support
Launching a betting platform in Zambia requires a clear understanding of local regulations, licensing procedures, and compliance obligations. As demand continues to grow, operators who navigate the licensing process efficiently gain a significant competitive advantage.
Many new entrants rely on expert consultation or turnkey market-entry services to streamline licensing, platform certification, and long-term compliance management.
Companies like PlaylogiQ, with extensive experience supporting operators across multiple African jurisdictions, can help teams accelerate market entry while ensuring their technology and workflows meet regulatory expectations.
If you’re exploring opportunities within Zambia’s betting industry or other African markets, you can access more insights on regulatory frameworks and entry strategies through our guide to African iGaming expansion: Explore African iGaming Market Entry.
