Mozambique has officially established a legal framework specifically for online gambling, allowing for a distinct concession system for games of chance played on digital platforms. In mid-July, the Council of Ministers approved the Regulation on the Operation and Practice of Games of Chance or Fortune through Electronic or Computerised Means, setting it apart from the existing concession guidelines that govern traditional casinos in the country.
Previously, Mozambique had already permitted online sports betting and various products under its social and entertainment games framework, which encompasses activities such as lotteries and virtual games. However, the new regulation focuses exclusively on online games of chance, creating a unique legal category that includes casino-style gambling, separate from the land-based casino operating licenses.
This regulatory shift comes in response to diminishing tax revenues from physical casinos. According to data from the Ministry of Finance reported by Portuguese news agency Lusa, casino gaming tax collections fell to MZN359.5 million (approximately $5.6 million) in 2025, a stark contrast to the MZN666.1 million that had been budgeted — representing only 54% of the government's target. The total also marked a decline of 7.3% compared to the MZN387.7 million collected in 2024, when the government initially had a target of MZN1.235 billion and achieved only 34% of that goal. The government attributed the decline in revenue to an increase in online gambling, which reportedly diminished attendance at physical casinos.
Economy Minister Basílio Muhate emphasized the importance of enforcement and transparency following the framework's approval. In remarks made after a meeting with the Mozambican Association of Online Games and Betting on July 31, Muhate reiterated the government's commitment to combating illegal gambling and called for improved oversight and transparency through the General Inspectorate of Games (IGJ). He stated, “We continue to defend the fight against illegal gambling… We reaffirm the need for greater inspection and greater transparency. That is why we have a General Inspectorate of Games with that responsibility.” Muhate also urged operators to address the social impacts of irresponsible gambling, especially among youth.
Economist Júlio Saramala suggested that the IGJ should make its inspection criteria and reports publicly accessible. He noted that high unemployment and the allure of quick money might attract young people to gambling and expressed concern that the social consequences might outweigh any additional tax revenue. He advocated for comprehensive legislation, clearer risk communication in advertising, and enhanced monitoring of financial transactions related to gambling.
Danilo Mussá, head of the Mozambican Association of Online Games and Betting, discussed how the new regulations might provide a clearer legal framework to confront offshore betting sites that cater to local consumers without contributing tax revenues. “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 stated. He indicated that the association intends to work with Mozambique’s National Institute of Information and Communication Technologies (INTIC) to block these foreign sites, although it is unclear if the new regulations grant INTIC additional authority to do so.
While the development of an online gambling framework marks a crucial step in regulation, the specifics around licensing, including costs, tax rates, minimum capital requirements, application processes, and technical standards needed for prospective operators, have not yet been disclosed by the government or the IGJ. Thus far, there has been no publication detailing an application timeline or procedures for potential operators to follow. Questions posed to the IGJ regarding when these details would be made available, how oversight of operators would be executed, and the practical implications of the new regime remain unanswered. For now, the approval lays the groundwork for a dedicated online gambling market, yet its successful implementation hinges on the government’s ability to create a functioning licensing and enforcement structure.
