Online casinos exist in a regulatory gray area in Zambia, where land-based gambling is strictly regulated but online gaming lacks comprehensive legislation. The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB), which operates under the Ministry of Finance, governs all gambling activities in the country and requires operators to obtain proper licensing (1). While land-based casinos, lotteries, bingo, and sports betting are all regulated by the board, online casinos currently fall outside the scope of specific regulatory requirements.
The current legal framework means that there is no level of regulation specifically addressing online gambling in Zambia. This regulatory gap allows players freedom to access foreign gambling sites, provided they can secure appropriate banking options for transactions (2). Land-based casinos and lotteries require licensing from the BCLB and are subject to quarterly revenue sharing with the government, but online casino operators face no such mandatory licensing requirements under existing legislation.
"There is no level of regulation for online gambling in Zambia, which means players are free to play at any foreign sites they want provided banking options are available."
Despite the absence of specific online gambling regulations, Zambian authorities have shown interest in developing comprehensive digital gambling frameworks. The government abolished the 20% casino levy in January 2019, introducing new tax structures to improve revenue collection from the gambling sector. While operators without valid BCLB licenses are considered illegal for traditional gambling activities, the regulatory vacuum surrounding online casinos means enforcement remains limited, though this situation could change as authorities develop more comprehensive online gambling legislation.
Source:
https://www.mofnp.gov.zm/?page_id=4604
https://cms.law/en/int/expert-guides/cms-expert-guide-to-gambling-laws-in-africa/zambia
Last updated: 18-09-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
