Mozambique's online casino regulation to enter into force on 20 November with capital, payment and data rules

Mozambique's new regulation on online casino gambling is due to enter into force on 20 November. Decree No. 61/2026 of 21 September approved the Regulation on the Operation and Practice of Online Games of Chance, and it applies 60 days after publication. The text fills in details on ownership, capital, payments and data that were not made public when ministers approved the framework in July.

The start date does not mean services can launch immediately. Operators must first secure a concession and an operating licence, and their gaming systems normally need certification and regulatory approval. Concessions will go to public limited companies incorporated under Mozambican law, and several concessionaires are allowed. Online concessions are legally separate from those for physical casinos. Eligible applicants are existing physical casino concessionaires and operators already licensed for betting and online games that meet the new conditions. Owning a physical casino is not required.

Where shareholders are legal persons, at least 26% of paid-up share capital must be held by Mozambican shareholders registered in the country, and that stake cannot be reduced without prior authorisation. Minimum share capital is MZN100 million, or more if the supervising authority decides. Operators must also post two initial guarantees: MZN15 million covering legal obligations such as player balances and potential fines, and MZN10 million securing the special online gambling tax. The General Inspectorate of Games must review these after six months of operation.

Two further contractual contributions are each set at a minimum of 2.5% of annual gross revenue after winnings are paid out. One funds social, institutional and public-responsibility purposes, and the other supports tourism development unrelated to gambling. The regulation describes them as contractual obligations, not taxes. Licences can run up to three years for operators of physical casinos on their own premises and up to two years for other categories.

Approved games include baccarat, banca francesa, blackjack, gaming machines, poker, American and French roulette, keno, multiplier games, instant games and bingo. Websites must use a .mz domain, and Mozambican access must be redirected to the authorised national site. Only electronic payment instruments authorised by the Bank of Mozambique and denominated in meticais may fund accounts, and requested balances must be paid out within 48 hours. Registration and authentication infrastructure must be located in Mozambique, gambling data must be stored locally for at least ten years, and systems must be audited annually. Players must set daily, weekly and monthly deposit limits at registration before they can gamble.