According to the "Citizen Report", the Tanzanian gambling industry is experiencing an unprecedented digital reshaping. In 2023, the total number of gambling users in the country reached 39.5 million, accounting for about 56% of the total population, with more than 70% of betting activities occurring online and 56% of users placing bets through mobile phones.
Digital platforms such as SportPesa, Meridianbet, and Betika are rapidly expanding nationwide, becoming mainstream betting channels, covering services such as football and virtual slot machines. The shift in user preferences is also reflected in their behavior, as 30-year-old user Eliud Massawe said, "Now I can complete all my betting in the bedroom."
This digital wave is backed by the widespread use of smartphones, low-cost data packages, and the filling of digital service gaps in rural areas. Traditional casinos are struggling to find strategies to retain their middle-aged and elderly loyal customers, introducing a "hybrid mode" that includes app extension services, themed events, live entertainment, and loyalty programs.
The booming gambling industry also brings both economic and social impacts. In the fiscal year 2023/24, the total revenue of the gambling industry reached 212 billion Tanzanian shillings, and the government plans to achieve 3220.2 billion shillings in tax revenue in the 2024 fiscal year. However, the reduction of offline jobs and the rising skill requirements for online positions are reshaping the employment structure. At the same time, the trend of young people's addiction to gambling is intensifying. According to data from the Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF), the 18-35 age group often invests most of their income in gambling, and the anonymity of online platforms further weakens social intervention capabilities.
In addition, the issue of regulatory lag is increasingly prominent. The current digital gambling licensing system has loopholes, allowing offshore platforms to easily evade local regulations. Local companies are financially strained and struggle to keep up with international enterprises in AI prediction and virtual reality gaming technology experiments. Faced with dual challenges of regulation and technology, industry stakeholders are beginning to call for the establishment of a unified digital regulatory framework to ensure a balance between protecting tax revenue, maintaining fairness, and protecting consumers.
A casino manager in Dar es Salaam stated, "The future of the gambling industry will coexist online and offline, casinos must transform into complex entertainment venues, while digital platforms need to provide more attractive technological experiences."
