Best Zambia betting sites

Population: 17.500.000
Active players: 2.800.000
Currency: Zambian kwacha (ZMW)
Regulated gambling products: Sports betting, casino games, lottery
Operator types: Online bookmakers, betting shops, land-based casinos, lotteries
Designated authority: Betting Control and Licensing Board
Status: Regulated

Zambia is a landlocked nation situated in Southern Africa. It is best known for its amazing landscapes and mining industry. The country was added to the British sphere of influence in 1888. Eventually it gained its independence in 1964, with a switch to a presidential system. Gambling is regulated here, with each sector falling under distinct legislation. The two older pieces of legislation are: The 1950 State Lotteries Act and  the 1992 Casino Act. The Betting Control Act, with amendments up to 1994, is the latest.

In terms of sports betting, Zambia seems to rank it high in relation to other forms of gambling. Football in particular seems to be attracting the most bets. With no restrictions for accessing betting sites in Zambia, locals frequently place their bets online. By doing so, they have access to top bookies like Bet365 and 888sport.

Betting in Zambia - 5 things to know

• The legal gambling age is 18
• There’s no specific law on online gambling
• There are quite a few land-based betting shops
• Betting licenses are issued with a one year validity
• Betting on politics is prohibited

Best betting sites in Zambia

The offer for sports betting in Zambia is very generous. So, we picked the bookies that deliver great odds on the Premier League and the French Ligue 1, along with a great variety of betting markets.

Betting Zambia: The gambling law framework

Zambia is one of the few African countries with such a heavy focus on regulating their gambling landscape. Three acts are in place: The State Lotteries Act, Casino Act and the Betting Control Act. All together provide the legal context for gambling in Zambia. The Betting Control and Licensing Board supervises all operations, under the Ministry of Finance. That same board also issues and renews operators’ licenses. The cost for a new license is 18.000 ZMW and is valid for one year. Renewals cost 9.000 ZMW, on top of a 10% annual fee on the operator’s GGR.

However, only a few online betting companies in Zambia, like Castlebet or Premier Bet, hold licenses here. Moreover, you will find several betting shops across the country, operating mainly under Sports4Africa. Punters are free to choose any other online bookmaker since no law prevents them from doing so. There is no surveillance and no restrictions in place. To sum things up, when it comes to Zambia sports betting, the freedom of choice is great.

Essential information for bettors

Zambian punters should know that there is a tax on winnings deriving from licensed land-based bookmakers. It stands at 20% for residents and 10% for non-residents. So, there is taxation even if you’re just using bookies in Zambia while temporarily being there.

Nonetheless, since there’s no clear framework on online betting, there’s no tax on online winnings. Another upside of not having a clear online framework, is the absence of restrictions. Online payments to bookmakers are not under any kind of surveillance; so you bet and deposit as you like.

Bet Zambia: Deposits and withdrawals

Zambian punters have many options to top-up their accounts. Popular e-wallets like ecoPayz are offering their services, providing speed and anonymity. In addition, local payments, like MTN Mobile Money, Airtel Money and Zanaco Xpress, are also very popular; mainly with local bookies. The use of credit/debit cards, as well as bank transfers are very common in Zambia. The lack of restrictions practically gives you total power of choice on how to top-up your account.

The future of sports betting in Zambia

The early presence of gambling acts was a clear sign of the gambling sector’s healthy development. On the other hand, the internet penetration rate is very low in Zambia, under 20%. A specific set of online rules could lead to more licensees. This, in turn, would help increase competitiveness and raise the level of services that players enjoy. A draft was pushed forward in 2019 with ideas on how to improve the overall gambling environment. However, there were no changes yet. Things though are already moving in this direction. Altogether, betting in Zambia could soon be a fully organized mature marketplace.

Complete list of online bookmakers in Zambia

After having a clear view of the Zambian sports betting market, here’s the full list of all the online bookies you can bet with.