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Malawi: gambling regulation and licensing

  • Online sports bettingRegulated
  • Online casinoRegulated
  • iLotteryRegulated
  • Land-based (reference)Regulated
Regulator
Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority
Headline tax
12.5% GGR
Licence required
Yes
Last verified
24 Sept 2026

Summary

Malawi regulates gambling under the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 2022 (Act No. 34 of 2022), which repealed the Gaming Act and the Lotteries Act and merged the Malawi Gaming Board and the National Lotteries Board into the Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority (MAGLA). MAGLA licenses and supervises betting, gaming and lotteries; the Minister of Tourism makes regulations on its recommendation. Online activity is licensed by name: sports betting under section 27, internet gaming under section 26, and National Lottery tickets may be sold online. Six sets of regulations published on 17 January 2025 supply the detail. A sports betting licence costs K100 million for a local applicant or USD 50,000 for a foreign one, plus an annual fee of K10 million or USD 5,000 and a USD 50,000 performance guarantee. Internet gaming licences go only to companies incorporated in Malawi that already hold a sports betting, gaming or National Lottery licence, and servers kept abroad must be mirrored in Malawi. Licensees pay MAGLA a monthly levy of 12.5 per cent of gross gaming revenue, meaning wagers less winnings. Players must be 18 or over and have their identity verified before they bet, and MAGLA runs a self-exclusion programme with a minimum term of one year. Adverts need MAGLA's prior approval and a prescribed warning, and a 2025 directive confines broadcast gambling adverts to 21:00 to 06:00. In September 2025 MAGLA listed ten licensed sports betting operators, four casinos and two National Lottery operators, and warned unlicensed operators. New sports betting and land-based casino licensing rounds closed in July 2026. Income tax, excise duty and any tax on winnings could not be confirmed from primary sources for this record.

Common pitfalls

Citing the wrong Act number: the Act is No. 34 of 2022, although a MAGLA release of September 2025 calls it No. 32. Treating the internet gaming licence as open to newcomers: only existing sports betting, gaming or National Lottery licensees may apply. Reading the 12.5 per cent levy as the whole tax burden: it is a regulatory levy payable to MAGLA, and income tax, excise and any tax on winnings sit in other laws not confirmed here. Quoting the RFP fee from the Regulations for the 2026 round: the notice charged K2 million or USD 1,500.

Key facts

Regulator
Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority (MAGLA)
Regulator type
Dedicated regulator
Headline tax
12.5% GGR
Licence required
Yes
Minimum age
18+
Tax base
Monthly levy payable to MAGLA by sports betting and internet gaming licensees of 12.5% of gross gaming revenue, defined as total wagers less total winnings; a negative day counts as zero and cannot be carried forward (Sports Betting and Internet Gaming Regulations, Second Schedules). National Lottery licensees pay 12.5% of gross revenues less prize payments, with a monthly return (National Lottery Regulations reg. 15). The levy is prescribed under s. 28 of the Act, has no grace period, and late payment adds 5% of the amount for each week in default (s. 75). The rate for casinos and gaming machines was not found in the texts read. Income tax, excise duty and VAT on gambling were not confirmed from a primary source.

Licensing

Licence required
Yes
Application window
Closed
Local establishment required
Yes
Local server required
Yes
Active licences
10 (as of 22 Sept 2025)
Bank guarantee or bond
Performance guarantee of USD 50,000 for sports betting and National Lottery licensees, to secure prizes, bonuses and sums owed (Sports Betting Regulations reg. 18; National Lottery Regulations reg. 7). Gaming licences may carry a guarantee for the licensee's liabilities set by MAGLA (s. 21(1)(a)(v)).
Notable licensees
Golden Bay Limited (Betway), Betika Limited, Kuwina Limited (Betpawa), Premier Bet Limited, Supapesa Limited (Betyanga), Port Achia Trade Limited (888 bets), Afrigaming International Limited (Zonse Lotto), Premier Lotto Limited
Certification requirements
Online games must be tested and certified by an accredited gaming testing laboratory, have pre-approved return to player rates and be approved by MAGLA before launch (Internet Gaming Regulations reg. 33). Control systems must be submitted at least ninety days before internet gaming starts (reg. 26).
Barriers to entry
MAGLA licenses by competitive round: it publishes a notice, issues a request for proposals for a fee and evaluates probity, anti-money laundering screening, economic contribution and financial soundness. The 2026 sports betting and land-based casino rounds closed on 10 and 15 July 2026. Internet gaming and National Lottery licences go only to companies incorporated in Malawi, and internet gaming only to existing licensees. Sports betting and internet gaming licensees must keep a physical administration centre in Malawi with key finance, administration and technical staff; internet gaming servers kept abroad need mirror servers in Malawi. Beneficial ownership must be established before any licence is issued (s. 52), and licences cannot be transferred (s. 59).

Licence types

  • Sports betting licence (s. 27)

    Scope
    Bets on a sporting event or set of events, including racecourse bets, at approved betting sites and on an approved sports betting platform
    Application fee
    MWK 1,000,000 as of 17 Jan 2025
    Annual fee
    MWK 10,000,000 as of 17 Jan 2025
    Fee basis
    Local applicants: RFP fee K500,000, application fee K1,000,000, licence or renewal fee K100,000,000, annual fee K10,000,000. Foreign applicants: USD 250, USD 500, USD 50,000 and USD 5,000. Plus a monthly levy of 12.5% of gross gaming revenue (Sports Betting Regulations, Second Schedule). The 2026 round charged K2,000,000 or USD 1,500 for the RFP.
    Renewal terms
    Renewal at the licence fee where MAGLA is satisfied the licensee has complied with the Act, Regulations and licence conditions (reg. 6)
  • Internet gaming licence (s. 26)

    Scope
    Internet gaming for players in Malawi, open only to a company incorporated in Malawi that already holds a sports betting, gaming or National Lottery licence
    Term
    Tied to the underlying licence
    Fee basis
    Licence or renewal fee K100,000,000 (local) or USD 50,000 (foreign), plus a monthly levy of 12.5% of gross gaming revenue (Internet Gaming Regulations, Second Schedule)
    Renewal terms
    Renewable only when the underlying licence is renewed (reg. 8)
  • National Lottery licence (s. 31)

    Scope
    Operation of a National Lottery by a company incorporated in Malawi whose sole object is that lottery; tickets may be sold online
    Term
    Period set by MAGLA in the licence
    Application fee
    MWK 1,000,000 as of 17 Jan 2025
    Annual fee
    MWK 10,000,000 as of 17 Jan 2025
    Fee basis
    Local applicants: RFP fee K500,000, application fee K1,000,000, licence fee K100,000,000, annual fee K10,000,000. Foreign applicants: USD 250, USD 500, USD 50,000 and USD 5,000. Monthly levy of 12.5% of gross revenues less prize payments (National Lottery Regulations, Second Schedule).
    Renewal terms
    Application at least three months before expiry, for a further period set by MAGLA (reg. 5)
  • Casino licence (s. 19, First Schedule)

    Scope
    Casino games on the licensed premises; gaming premises are licensed one by one with the permitted games stated (s. 24)
    Renewal terms
    Gaming licences expire at the end of the financial year after issue unless the licence says otherwise; renewal applications are due three months before the end of the financial year (s. 22)
  • Other gaming licences (First Schedule)

    Scope
    Gaming machine, gaming machine premises, junket agent, video lottery terminal, wide area progressive gaming, manufacturer, maintenance and supplier licences
  • Other lottery licences (Second Schedule)

    Scope
    Bookmaker, charitable lottery, promotional competition, private lottery, lotteries incidental to entertainments and unspecified lottery licences

Taxation

Headline GGR tax
12.5% GGR
Effective date
17 Jan 2025
Tax base
Monthly levy payable to MAGLA by sports betting and internet gaming licensees of 12.5% of gross gaming revenue, defined as total wagers less total winnings; a negative day counts as zero and cannot be carried forward (Sports Betting and Internet Gaming Regulations, Second Schedules). National Lottery licensees pay 12.5% of gross revenues less prize payments, with a monthly return (National Lottery Regulations reg. 15). The levy is prescribed under s. 28 of the Act, has no grace period, and late payment adds 5% of the amount for each week in default (s. 75). The rate for casinos and gaming machines was not found in the texts read. Income tax, excise duty and VAT on gambling were not confirmed from a primary source.

Earmarked levies

  • Gaming and Lotteries Fund share: A portion of the levies set by MAGLA by Gazette notice, and a percentage set by the Minister of Finance (Gaming and Lotteries Fund: tourism, arts and culture, environment, social welfare and sport (ss. 28(6), 68 and 70))

Compliance

Minimum age
18+
National self-exclusion
MAGLA Self-Exclusion Programme (mandatory)
KYC timing
Before registration and before any wager
AML regime
Licensees must comply with the Financial Crimes Act (s. 56(1)), assess their money laundering and terrorist financing risks and apply a risk-based approach (s. 62), and MAGLA must establish beneficial ownership before licensing (s. 52). Sports betting and internet gaming licensees need approved know-your-player rules, real-time monitoring that flags suspicious patterns and attempts to evade Financial Crimes Act thresholds, reports of suspicious and large currency transactions to MAGLA and the Financial Intelligence Authority, and a seven-year transaction history; wagers and payouts above the Financial Crimes Act threshold must be recorded with the player's identity (Sports Betting Regulations regs. 31 and 36).
AML supervisor
Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority, with reports to the Financial Intelligence Authority
Deposit limits
Players may set deposit or wager limits; increases or removals take effect within five working days of written notice and no wagers are accepted meanwhile. A sports betting licensee must itself set a limit where a player cannot control his or her play (Sports Betting Regulations reg. 35; Internet Gaming Regulations reg. 41).
Central monitoring system
MAGLA must run an electronic monitoring system and licensees must provide interface points for direct data submission (ss. 53 and 54); failure is an offence with a fine of K40 million (s. 55). The 2025 Regulations require real-time submission and give existing licensees three months from the system's establishment to connect. In November 2023 MAGLA gave notice of its intention to award a five-year contract for the system to IGLMS Limited for MK1 billion.
Data localisation
Internet gaming licensees may keep the primary server and financial control system in Malawi and, where servers are abroad, must keep mirror servers in Malawi holding all player, game and financial history for at least seven years (Internet Gaming Regulations reg. 9). Sports betting and internet gaming licensees must run a physical administration centre in Malawi, and sports betting licensees a customer care centre in Malawi.
KYC requirements
Players register before playing with full name, date of birth, national identity or passport number, address, confirmation of age 18 or over and a nominated account; identity must be authenticated before registration and before any wager, and each player may hold one active account (Sports Betting Regulations regs. 10 and 11; Internet Gaming Regulations regs. 13 and 14). A licensee that learns of false registration details must cancel the registration. Password recovery needs multi-factor authentication.
Stake limits
Allowable stakes are set in the conditions of each gaming premises licence (s. 24(3)(c)); no online stake limit is prescribed.
Mandatory player messaging
Websites must state that under-18s may not play, link to a filtering program, the licensee's responsible gaming policy, mental health help and MAGLA's toll-free line 4252, and show a warning of the addictive potential of betting on every game screen. Full screen games need a real-time clock and a visible balance counter. Rules and terms must be posted in English and Chichewa.
Reporting obligations
Monthly reports on tickets, wagers, payouts, player balances and mobile money balances (Sports Betting Regulations reg. 25); monthly levy returns; audited accounts at least every twelve months for licences over a year (s. 58); incidents affecting a game or a withheld prize reported within 24 or 48 hours; annual business continuity and disaster recovery reviews and tests reported within seven days.
Game content restrictions
Gaming machines must return at least 90% of stakes as winnings (s. 25(2)(a)). Online games must be certified and approved with pre-set return to player rates. Games follow rules approved by MAGLA and may not deviate from them (Player Protection Regulations reg. 8). Licensees may not lend or give credit to players (s. 61).

Advertising

Advertising permitted
Yes
Watershed
Under MAGLA Directive No. 1 of 2025, issued to gaming operators, gambling adverts may be aired only between 21:00 and 06:00 (MAGLA, 18 March 2026).
Affiliate rules
The Regulations apply to any person providing any service to, on behalf of or with a licensee (reg. 3(1)(b)). Sports betting licensees must display their own brand or that of an affiliate that controls or is controlled by them (Sports Betting Regulations reg. 37).
Celebrity and influencer rules
No role models, social media influencers, celebrities or entertainers who may reasonably be expected to appeal to children (reg. 7(3)(e)).
Social media rules
The Regulations cover online, mobile and direct mail advertising; digital adverts must place material information no more than one click away (regs. 3(2) and 11(2)).
Bonus advertising rules
Marketing schemes must state the commitment required and all wagering and deposit requirements, be accepted expressly by the player, and let players track progress towards the requirements (reg. 13).
Mandatory warnings
"Gaming and betting are addictive and can be harmful to your life", translated where the advertisement is in another language (reg. 4(2) and (3)).
Penalties for breach
Administrative penalty of up to K10 million for unauthorised advertising and up to K15 million for unsolicited marketing (regs. 4(4) and 12(2)). Misleading or child-targeted advertising: fine of K20 million and five years (s. 63(2)), plus administrative penalties.

Restrictions

  • Only authorised betting, gaming or lottery operations may be advertised, and MAGLA must vet and approve every advertisement in writing before release (Advertising and Marketing Regulations regs. 4 and 5)
  • Every advertisement must name the licensee, state that MAGLA has approved it, carry the prescribed warning and show the minimum age for its whole duration (regs. 7 and 9)
  • No advertising aimed at, featuring or appealing to children or vulnerable persons, and none at venues for children, schools or places of worship (regs. 7 and 10)
  • No suggestion that gambling solves financial or personal problems, is an alternative to employment or improves status, and no reference to instant consumer credit (reg. 6)
  • No use of player data or profiling to induce vulnerable players or people with a gambling problem to play (reg. 8)
  • No unsolicited advertising or marketing, by the licensee or through third parties (reg. 12)
  • Misleading or deceptive advertising, or advertising targeted at under-18s, is an offence (Gaming and Lotteries Act s. 63), as is advertising an unauthorised lottery (s. 81(3))

Payments

Credit card ban
Not yet verified
Crypto stance
Not yet verified
Permitted methods
Cash (sports betting), Debit cards or stored value accounts, Electronic or wire transfer, Recharge vouchers, Mobile phone transfers, Other methods approved by MAGLA
Local rails
Mobile money (collection, disbursement and agent balances reported monthly under Sports Betting Regulations reg. 25)
Payment blocking regime
No statutory blocking of payments to unlicensed operators was found in the Act or Regulations read.
Withdrawal timeframe rules
Winnings are credited to the player account immediately. Balances on accounts closed after 180 days of inactivity must reach the player's nominated account within five working days, on pain of an administrative penalty of up to K8 million for sports betting or K5 million for internet gaming. Failing to pay a winner within seven days is an offence carrying K20 million and five years, and the court orders payment (s. 85).

Enforcement

ISP blocking
Not yet verified
DNS blocking
Not yet verified
Payment blocking
Not yet verified
App store takedowns
Not yet verified
Administrative penalties
Written warnings, directions to remedy or compensate, and monetary penalties set by MAGLA (s. 89); administrative penalties under the Regulations of up to K8 million to K20 million per breach; suspension or revocation of licences, published in two national newspapers (s. 57). Unpaid levy suspends the licence until paid with a penalty of 5% of the amount for each week in default (ss. 28(5) and 75).
Criminal penalties
Acting as a bookmaker without a licence: K10 million and two years (s. 42). Conducting internet gaming or sports betting without a licence is an offence under ss. 26(7) and 27(4), with the general penalty of K10 million and two years for a person or K30 million for a company (s. 86). Keeping a place for an unauthorised lottery: K30 million and seven years (s. 81(2)). Gambling by or with a child: K20 million and five years (s. 77). Failing to connect to the monitoring system: K40 million (s. 55).
Operator liability
Directors and officers of a convicted company are deemed to have committed the offence unless they prove lack of knowledge (s. 80). A court may revoke the licence of a convicted licensee, disqualifying it for up to seven years (s. 88). Sports betting licensees are liable for the conduct of their platform provider (Sports Betting Regulations reg. 38).
Player liability
Being present at unlawful gaming on licensed premises to take part (s. 76(2)) and participating in an unauthorised lottery (s. 82(1)(a)) are offences; taking part in gaming in a street carries K2 million and six months (s. 79(1)(b)).

Notable actions

  • Unlicensed gaming and lottery operators22 Sept 2025

    MAGLA published the list of licensed operators, warned that operating without a licence is illegal and told players that using unlicensed operators is at their own risk

Market data

Figures on this record are drawn from official regulator data.

Online GGR
Not yet verified
Licensed operators
10

Timeline

  1. 11 Aug 2022

    Parliament passes the Gaming and Lotteries Bill.

  2. 6 Oct 2022

    The Gaming and Lotteries Act, 2022 receives assent; it is published on 14 October 2022.

  3. 17 Mar 2023

    MAGLA invites proposals for casino, wide area progressive gaming and sports betting licences, closing 15 June 2023.

  4. 11 Apr 2023

    MAGLA invites written representations on eight draft regulations, including internet gaming and sports betting.

  5. 1 Nov 2023

    MAGLA gives notice of its intention to award a five-year MK1 billion electronic monitoring system contract to IGLMS Limited.

  6. 7 Feb 2024

    MAGLA invites applications for National Lottery and casino licences.

  7. 17 Jan 2025

    Six sets of Regulations made on 22 November 2024 are published in the Gazette, covering advertising, electronic monitoring, internet gaming, the National Lottery, sports betting and player protection.

  8. 22 Sept 2025

    MAGLA publishes its list of licensed operators and warns unlicensed operators.

  9. 18 Mar 2026

    MAGLA meets media and operators on Directive No. 1 of 2025, which limits gambling adverts to 21:00 to 06:00.

  10. 6 Jun 2026

    MAGLA invites applications for sports betting licences (closing 10 July 2026) and land-based casino licences (closing 15 July 2026).

  11. 13 Aug 2026

    MAGLA and Angola's Gaming Inspection and Regulation Service discuss a memorandum of understanding.

Outlook

The results of the 2026 sports betting and land-based casino licensing rounds, which closed on 10 and 15 July 2026, will show whether MAGLA widens the field of ten sports betting operators. The electronic monitoring system is the other thing to watch: MAGLA gave notice in November 2023 of a five-year contract for it, and the 2025 Regulations give existing licensees three months from its establishment to connect or face suspension. MAGLA also discussed a memorandum of understanding with Angola's gaming regulator in August 2026, citing operators active in both markets.

Frequently asked questions

Is online betting legal in Malawi?
Yes, with a sports betting licence from the Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority under section 27 of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 2022. MAGLA listed ten licensed sports betting operators in September 2025 and says operating without a licence is illegal.
Can a foreign operator offer online casino games to Malawian players?
Only through an internet gaming licence, which is limited to companies incorporated in Malawi that already hold a sports betting, gaming or National Lottery licence. Licensees need a physical administration centre in Malawi, and servers kept abroad must be mirrored in Malawi.
What does a sports betting licence cost?
Under the 2025 Regulations, K100 million for a local applicant or USD 50,000 for a foreign one, an annual fee of K10 million or USD 5,000, a USD 50,000 performance guarantee and a monthly levy of 12.5 per cent of gross gaming revenue.
How are betting operators charged?
Sports betting and internet gaming licensees pay MAGLA a monthly levy of 12.5 per cent of wagers less winnings, and National Lottery licensees 12.5 per cent of revenue less prizes. Late payment adds 5 per cent a week and suspends the licence. Other taxes were not confirmed for this record.
What are the age and self-exclusion rules?
The minimum age is 18, and gambling with a child carries a fine of K20 million and five years. MAGLA runs a self-exclusion programme through its website and toll-free line 4252, with a minimum exclusion of one year.
When can gambling be advertised?
Every advert needs MAGLA's written approval and the warning "Gaming and betting are addictive and can be harmful to your life". Under Directive No. 1 of 2025, gambling adverts may be aired only between 21:00 and 06:00.

Sources

  1. Gaming and Lotteries Act, 2022 (Act No. 34 of 2022; passed 11 August 2022, assented 6 October 2022, published 14 October 2022)

    Government of Malawi (text published by MAGLA)

    The Act as printed is No. 34 of 2022, which MAGLA also cites in its 2023, 2024 and 2026 notices. MAGLA's press release of 22 September 2025 calls it No. 32 of 2022, and its organisation page says the Authority was established by the "Gaming & Lotteries Amendment Act 2022". The printed Act is recorded. Section 1 leaves commencement to a ministerial notice in the Gazette, which was not found in this run.

    Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published 14 Oct 2022
  2. Malawi Gazette Supplement of 17 January 2025 (No. 2A): Government Notices Nos. 4 to 9, the Gaming and Lotteries (Advertising and Marketing), (Electronic Monitoring System), (Internet Gaming), (National Lottery), (Sports Betting) and (Player Protection) Regulations, 2025, made by the Minister of Tourism on 22 November 2024

    Government of Malawi (Malawi Gazette Supplement, published by MAGLA)

    MAGLA lists the file as the Advertising and Marketing Regulations, but the download is the full Gazette Supplement carrying all six sets of Regulations. The Sports Betting Regulations are signed "22nd day of November, 2025" in a supplement dated 17 January 2025; the other five are signed 22 November 2024, so the 2025 date is taken to be a misprint.

    Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published 17 Jan 2025
  3. Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published 22 Sept 2025
  4. Licensed Operators (licence categories and licensees for the first and second quarter)

    Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority

    This undated page lists nine sports betting licensees; the 22 September 2025 release lists ten, adding Mobipay Limited. The release is dated and is used for counts.

    Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026
  5. Public Notice: Invitation for Applications, Sports Betting Licence (2026)

    Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority

    The notice sets the RFP fee at K2,000,000 for local and USD 1,500 for foreign applicants; Part I of the Second Schedule to the Sports Betting Regulations gives K500,000 and USD 250. The notice governs this round; the Regulations are recorded as the standing fee.

    Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published 6 Jun 2026
  6. Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published 6 Jun 2026
  7. Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published 17 Mar 2023
  8. Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published 7 Nov 2022
  9. MAGLA advocates responsible gambling advertising to protect children (18 March 2026), on Directive No. 1 of 2025

    Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority

    The directive itself was not published on the MAGLA site and was not read; its 21:00 to 06:00 window is taken from MAGLA's own account of it.

    Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026Published 18 Mar 2026
  10. Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026
  11. About Us: Organisation

    Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority

    Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026
  12. Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026
  13. Operator License Application Procedure

    Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority

    Tier 1Accessed 24 Sept 2026

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This page is industry reference information and not legal advice.

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