Mozambique has officially established a distinct legal framework for online gambling, introducing a separate concession regime for games of chance available through electronic platforms and other digital means. This new regulation, titled Regulation on the Operation and Practice of Games of Chance or Fortune through Electronic or Computerised Means, was approved by the Council of Ministers in mid-July.
The framework differentiates online gambling from the current concessions governing land-based casinos. While Mozambique already licenses online sports betting and products under its social and entertainment games framework—which includes lotteries, raffles, and virtual games—the new regulation specifically addresses online games of chance, signaling a shift to a unique legal category that features casino-style gambling.
This regulatory change comes in response to a significant decline in tax revenue from physical casinos. According to budget execution data from the Ministry of Finance reported by Portuguese news agency Lusa, casino gaming tax collections dropped to MZN359.5 million (approximately $5.6 million) in 2025, a staggering 54% of the government's target of MZN666.1 million. This figure is a 7.3% decrease compared to the MZN387.7 million collected in 2024, as the government faced a total budget of MZN1.235 billion and managed to collect only 34% of that.
The government attributes this shortfall to the growing popularity of online gambling, asserting that it has contributed to reduced attendance at physical casinos, as highlighted in RTP’s report on the ministry’s 2025 budget-execution data.
In a statement following a meeting with the Mozambican Association of Online Games and Betting on July 31, Economy Minister Basílio Muhate emphasized the need for increased enforcement and transparency. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to combatting illegal gambling and the necessity of robust oversight. "We continue to defend the fight against illegal gambling," Muhate remarked, stressing the importance of inspection and transparency, which he said is the responsibility of the General Inspectorate of Games (IGJ).
Concerns regarding the social impact of gambling particularly among the youth were also raised, with Muhate urging gaming operators to address these issues responsibly. In a discussion with STV Notícias, economist Júlio Saramala suggested that the IGJ should regularly publish its inspection standards and reports, noting that factors like high unemployment and the lure of easy money could lead to increased gambling among younger demographics. He cautioned that the potential social damage from gambling could overshadow any new tax revenues, calling for more cohesive legislation, improved risk information in advertising, and better transaction monitoring in mobile wallets and banking systems.
Danilo Mussá, president of the Mozambican Association of Online Games and Betting, expressed optimism about the new framework, stating it would allow authorities to more effectively address foreign betting sites targeting Mozambican users without contributing local taxes. "This approval is important because it gives us a legal instrument that will also enable us to combat foreign betting sites that enter our cyberspace," Mussá explained, underscoring the losses incurred by the state due to unregulated international betting.
Despite the regulatory approval, key operational details remain unclear. Neither the government nor the IGJ has disclosed the costs associated with acquiring an online gambling concession, applicable tax rates, minimum capital requirements, or the application process and technical standards that operators need to meet. Reports from iGaming Business indicate that there is no published timetable for applications, leaving prospective operators uncertain about the licensing process and the practical implications of the new regime.
As it stands, while the government has laid the groundwork for an online gambling market, the effectiveness of this new framework will depend on how regulations are implemented in terms of licensing and enforcement.
