Maputo, Mozambique | 28 October 2026
Mozambique is preparing to introduce a dedicated regulatory framework for online casino operations, with new rules scheduled to take effect on 20 November 2026.
The regulations, established under Decree No. 61/2026, introduce licensing, local ownership, capital, payment processing and consumer protection requirements for companies seeking to operate online games of chance in the country.
The move represents an important development for Mozambique’s gaming industry, establishing clearer conditions for digital casino operations while strengthening government oversight of the sector.
Local Ownership and Capital Requirements
Under the new framework, online casino operators must obtain a state concession and operate through companies incorporated under Mozambican law.
Concessionaires must meet two significant requirements:
- At least 26% Mozambican ownership, ensuring local participation in licensed gaming businesses.
- Minimum share capital of 100 million meticais, equivalent to approximately US$1.6 million.
These conditions introduce a substantial financial and corporate compliance threshold for companies seeking entry into the market.
For international gaming operators, the ownership requirement could encourage partnerships with qualified Mozambican investors and businesses.
Local Payment Processing Becomes Mandatory
One of the most consequential aspects of the regulations concerns payment infrastructure.
Licensed online casino platforms must conduct gambling-related financial transactions exclusively in Mozambique’s national currency, the metical.
This requirement covers player deposits, wagers, winnings and withdrawals.
Transactions must also pass through financial institutions and payment service providers authorized to operate in Mozambique.
Additionally, licensed online casino platforms must use internet domains ending in .mz.
These measures are designed to improve financial transparency, strengthen transaction monitoring and keep regulated gaming activities within the country’s financial oversight framework.
For payment service providers, the regulations could create opportunities to support compliant gaming operators through locally authorized collection and payout infrastructure.
Data Storage and Digital Compliance
The new regulations require operators to retain gambling-related data within Mozambique for at least ten years.
Relevant records include player accounts, betting transactions, winnings, financial operations and platform activity.
The data-retention requirement introduces additional obligations for gaming technology companies, platform providers and operators that rely on international hosting infrastructure.
Businesses entering Mozambique will therefore need to assess their technical architecture and data-management arrangements alongside their licensing requirements.
Stronger Action Against Unlicensed Operators
Mozambique’s new framework also provides enforcement mechanisms against online gambling businesses operating without authorization.
Authorities may order access restrictions against unlicensed gaming websites, including platforms operating from outside the country.
Telecommunications companies and internet service providers must implement website-blocking orders within 48 hours of receiving notification.
Financial restrictions may also be used to disrupt transactions associated with unauthorized gambling platforms.
These measures demonstrate the government’s intention to combine licensing requirements with practical enforcement against illegal online gaming activities.
Player Protection and Responsible Gaming
The regulations establish consumer protection obligations for licensed operators.
Participation by individuals under 18 is prohibited, while platforms must provide responsible gaming measures such as self-exclusion, temporary account suspension and voluntary deposit limits.
The framework covers online casino products including roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker, bingo, keno and virtual gaming machines.
These requirements place player protection alongside financial compliance as a central condition for participating in Mozambique’s regulated online casino market.
What This Means for Africa’s iGaming Industry
Mozambique’s new framework illustrates the growing importance of local market requirements in Africa’s gaming sector.
International operators looking to expand into the country will need to consider local shareholding, financial capacity, regulatory authorization, payment infrastructure and data management before launching online casino services.
The regulations may also create commercial opportunities for locally authorized payment providers, technology partners and compliance specialists.
However, the minimum capital and ownership requirements could present significant entry barriers for smaller operators.
For investors and gaming companies, Mozambique’s regulatory direction reinforces a broader lesson: sustainable African market expansion requires adapting business models to the legal, financial and operational realities of each jurisdiction.
Conclusion
With its new online casino regulations taking effect on 20 November 2026, Mozambique is moving toward a more structured framework for digital gambling.
The combination of local ownership requirements, metical-only transactions, domestic data retention and stronger enforcement against unlicensed platforms signals a significant change in the country’s online casino landscape.
For operators considering Mozambique, early regulatory preparation and engagement with appropriately authorized local partners will be essential.
iBetAfrica will continue following developments in Mozambique and their implications for Africa’s gaming, technology and payment industries.
