Tanzania's betting sector surges on mobile money growth
The role of mobile money in Tanzania’s online betting industry in 2026 is considerable. Mobile payments have defined how licensed sportsbooks function in the country. Indicative of the country’s online growth are statistics from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), which report that mobile money subscriptions totalled 66.5 million as of March 2025. That figure rose from 63.2 million in December 2024.
Subscriptions continued climbing to 71.7 million by September 2025, according to the Citizen. The expansion carried into 2026, deepening mobile wallets’ role in digital payments. Sports betting and online lotteries increasingly rely on these platforms.
Wallets at the centre of betting payments
There are a variety of mobile wallets that dominate the payments market in Tanzania. Vodacom M-Pesa is used for deposit and payout services, but Tigo Pesa and Mixx by Yas have enhanced their services with additional digital capabilities. Licensed platforms across Tanzania accept Airtel Money. Although fewer customers use HaloPesa, many operators still support it. Players use all major mobile wallets for legal betting services in Tanzania.
Operators like BetPawa and WasafiBet have mobile money deposit and withdrawal options. They are all recognised as common payment methods across all licensed platforms in 2026. Players favour them over traditional bank transfers for simplicity and accessibility. Cashless transactions now form a central pillar of regulated betting activity.
In a country with limited banking access, wallets provide inclusion. Analysts observe that mobile wallets offer an accessible, secure and regulated participation method, according to a Geopoll report. That accessibility broadens the industry’s reach beyond traditional banking customers.
Revenue growth and economic contribution
The Gaming Board in Tanzania noted that revenue collection in the industry showed significant growth over four years. The industry collected a total of TZS 260.21 billion ($114.14 million). This figure was almost double that of the previously collected revenue, which was TZS 131.99 billion ($57.89 million). This growth in revenue collection was partly attributed to the efficiency of digital payments.
At a press conference that took place on 29th September 2025, Acting Director General Olesumayan Daniel noted that the figures showed significant growth in the industry. This growth is important for the overall economy. The industry has provided more than 30,000 jobs in Tanzania. In addition, it has collected a total of TZS 922.25 billion ($404.48 million) in taxes for the government. This money has been used for building roads and financing educational institutions.
Growth driven by regulation and investment
The Gaming Board credits firmer license oversight and rising investment. Licensed operators now number 62 across the country. Over the last two years, they invested TZS 66.7 billion ($27.36million) in the market. These developments introduced 8,549 different betting games. The expansion widened the industry’s operational scope.
Among new entrants was Ithuba Tanzania Limited. The company received the national lottery license for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Ithuba Tanzania Limited began operations in April 2025. South African investors hold 60% of the company. Local owners control the remaining 40%.
The company invested more than €18.2 million (around TZS 54 billion) into infrastructure and technology. It also launched online access to lottery results. That step marked a new milestone for transparency in Tanzania’s gaming industry. As mobile money adoption rises, digital payments continue to elevate Tanzania’s betting sector.
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