Mozambique has taken a significant step towards modernising its gaming industry after approving the country’s first dedicated legal framework for online gambling, creating a standalone licensing regime for digital operators separate from traditional land-based casinos.
The new Regulation on the Operation and Practice of Games of Chance through Electronic or Computerised Means, approved by the Council of Ministers during its weekly meeting, formally recognises online gambling as an independent category of gaming activity conducted through electronic platforms, computer systems and other digital channels.
Speaking after the Cabinet meeting, government spokesperson Inocêncio Impissa said the regulation establishes a distinct legal framework for remote games of chance, ending the previous arrangement where online gambling fell under the country’s broader casino legislation.
Under the new rules, online gambling operators will be required to obtain licences specifically designed for digital gaming businesses rather than operating under the same concessions issued to land-based casino operators. The move is expected to provide greater regulatory clarity as Mozambique’s online gaming market continues to expand.
Government Responds to Falling Casino Revenue
The regulatory reform comes as Mozambique seeks to address declining revenue from its traditional casino sector.
According to the Ministry of Finance’s 2025 Budget Execution Report, casino tax collections reached MT359.5 million (US$4.8 million), representing only 54 per cent of the MT666.1 million (US$8.8 million) projected for the year. The figure also reflected a 7.3 per cent decline compared with the MT387.7 million (US$5.1 million) collected in 2024.
The Ministry attributed the shortfall partly to the rapid growth of online gaming, noting that increasing participation in digital gambling has reduced customer traffic at physical casino venues.
A New Era for Digital Gaming Regulation
Mozambique currently licenses casino and slot machine operations across Maputo, Matola, Beira, Tete, Nampula and Pemba, with concessionaires required to maintain a minimum share capital of approximately US$2.7 million and invest at least US$5.5 million within their first five years of operation.
The country’s existing tax framework imposes a Special Tax on Gambling ranging from 20 to 35 per cent of gross gaming revenue, depending on the concession period. Casino operators are also required to pay Stamp Duty equivalent to 50 per cent of casino entry ticket prices, while benefiting from selected exemptions on gambling-related taxes and import duties for casino equipment.
By introducing a dedicated regulatory framework for online gambling, Mozambique is positioning itself to better oversee the country’s expanding digital gaming sector while creating a licensing system tailored to the unique characteristics of online operators. The reform also reflects a broader effort to strengthen regulatory oversight and adapt the country’s gaming laws to the changing dynamics of the gambling industry.
