Betting in Tanzania: Laws, Tax, Payments and Leagues
Betting is legal in Tanzania for adults 18 and over, with operators licensed by the Gaming Board of Tanzania. From 1 July 2026, a 5% excise duty applies to stakes, not winnings. Check your bet slip, then learn how odds work.
Tanzania at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Gaming Board of Tanzania (GBT), under the Gaming Act 2003 |
| Legal age | 18+ |
| Tax on stakes | 5% excise duty from 1 July 2026. Check your slip |
| Common payment methods | M-Pesa, other mobile money and bank (check the operator's cashier) |
| Main league | NBC Premier League |
| Help line | 199 Afya Call Centre and GBT exclusion, listed on our help page |
Laws and licences
The Gaming Board of Tanzania (GBT) regulates betting. It works under the Gaming Act 2003.
Only bet with operators licensed in Tanzania. Look for the licence number and regulator name in the site footer. Then confirm it with the GBT. Read how to check a betting licence.
If you want a break, the GBT lets you ask to be excluded from betting for a set period.
Betting tax
Tanzania's 2026/27 budget introduced a 5% excise duty on betting stakes from 1 July 2026. Excise duty is a tax on a specific activity.
It is 5% of the amount you stake, not of your winnings. It covers land-based and online sports betting, casino gaming, slot games and virtual games.
Operators may take it from your stake or charge it on top. Our sources did not confirm final passage details. Check your bet slip to see how your operator applies it.
Read the full guide: betting tax in Tanzania.
Deposits and withdrawals
Tanzania also uses M-Pesa, but steps and taxes differ from Kenya. Do not follow Kenyan guides for tax. Withdrawals usually go to mobile money or bank.
Get any payment or short code number only from the operator's official site or app. Never share your PIN.
No data? USSD betting lets you bet from a short code menu on any phone. Verify your account early, as explained in account verification.
Football to bet on
The local top flight is the NBC Premier League. Read our NBC Premier League guide for clubs and match analysis.
The English Premier League is the most popular foreign league. Its matches have many markets and plenty of team news.
Where to start
New to betting? Read these guides in this order:
- How betting odds work
- What is over 2.5 goals
- What GG and NG mean
- What is double chance
- What is a booking code
- Bankroll management in betting
Prefer Kiswahili? Read how betting odds work in Kiswahili and our other Kiswahili guides.
Tanzania betting example: Young Africans vs Simba
This is an illustration of the 5% excise on a stake. It is not a tip.
Juma wants to stake (bet) TSh 1,000 on Young Africans to win at 2.40 (example odds). The excise is TSh 1,000 × 0.05 = TSh 50.
If the match ends 2–1 to Young Africans:
| Step | Taken from stake | Charged on top |
|---|---|---|
| Amount you pay | TSh 1,000 | TSh 1,050 |
| 5% excise | TSh 50 | TSh 50 |
| Stake on the bet | TSh 950 | TSh 1,000 |
| Return if Young Africans win (× 2.40) | TSh 2,280 | TSh 2,400 |
If Simba win or the match is a draw, Juma loses what he paid. Check returns with the payout calculator.
Common mistakes
- Thinking the 5% is taken from winnings instead of stakes.
- Forgetting the excise when planning your betting budget.
- Following Kenyan tax guides for Tanzanian bets.
- Using a USSD code or payment number sent by a stranger.
- Raising stakes to "cover" the tax, which only increases what you can lose.
FAQ
Who regulates betting in Tanzania?
The Gaming Board of Tanzania (GBT), under the Gaming Act 2003.
What betting tax applies in Tanzania?
The 2026/27 budget introduced a 5% excise duty on stakes from 1 July 2026. It is 5% of what you stake, not of winnings. Check your bet slip.
Can I ask to be blocked from betting in Tanzania?
Yes. The Gaming Board of Tanzania lets people ask to be excluded from betting for a set period.
Are there OddsClass guides in Kiswahili?
Yes. Some of our beginner guides are in Kiswahili, including how odds work and booking codes.
Related guides
- Betting tax in Tanzania
- How to check a betting licence
- What is USSD betting
- What is virtual football?
- Where to get help with gambling
All OddsClass guides for Tanzania
- How Do You Bet on the NBC Premier League?NBC Premier League betting guide: Tanzania's 16-club top flight, champions, the Kariakoo derby, a worked TSh example, popular markets and betting tax.
- Azam FC: Stats, Form and Betting GuideAzam FC stats and betting guide: club profile, Chamazi home ground, rivals, a worked TSh double chance example and popular markets for Azam matches.
- How Does Betting Tax in Tanzania Work?Betting tax in Tanzania: a 5% excise duty on stakes from 1 July 2026 under the 2026/27 budget. What it covers, a worked example and who the regulator is.
- Simba SC: Stats, Form and Betting GuideSimba SC stats and betting guide: club profile, the Kariakoo derby, a worked TSh example, key factors and popular markets for Simba matches.
- Singida Black Stars: Stats, Form and Betting GuideSingida Black Stars stats and betting guide: club profile, the move from Ihefu, a worked TSh under 2.5 example and popular markets for their matches.
- Young Africans (Yanga): Stats, Form and Betting GuideYoung Africans (Yanga) stats and betting guide: club profile, the Kariakoo derby, a worked TSh example and popular markets for Yanga matches.