The Zambian Premier League (ZPL) has announced the termination of its K10 million partnership with Betway Zambia, which began in 2023.
This decision comes just months after the government suspended its support for the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).
Christina Zulu, ZPL Head of Communications, stated that Betway had significantly contributed to the growth of Zambian football through its support for coaching programs, club development, and fan engagement initiatives.
In a statement issued in Lusaka, Zulu confirmed that Betway communicated its decision to end the sponsorship due to the financial strain caused by the recently introduced government excise duty on all betting companies, making continued investment unsustainable.
“The ZPL acknowledges Betway’s contribution and professionalism throughout the partnership and remains committed to securing new strategic partners to sustain the continued development of Zambian football,” Zulu said.
She also added that league management is already in discussions with several potential sponsors and investors, both local and international, to ensure that the progress achieved in recent seasons is not lost.
The ZPL is also exploring new revenue streams including broadcast rights, merchandise sales, and digital marketing collaborations to reduce dependency on betting companies and other single-source sponsorships.
The termination of the Betway deal comes at a challenging time for Zambian football. Earlier this year, the government suspended financial support to the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) over governance concerns, forcing the association to rely primarily on FIFA grants and private sector partnerships to sustain its operations.
Football analysts have expressed concern that these developments could slow the momentum built in recent years, particularly in player development and club capacity building.
Sports analyst Chanda Mwape described the end of the Betway partnership as “a major setback” for Zambian football at a time when the league was beginning to gain regional recognition.
“This partnership helped clubs stabilize financially and improved the visibility of the ZPL. Losing it now means the league has to quickly rethink its commercial strategy,” Mwape said.
“The new betting tax is clearly having ripple effects beyond the gambling industry; it’s affecting football directly.”
Green Buffaloes FC general secretary, Daniel Banda, said that while the loss of sponsorship was disappointing, it also served as a wake-up call for clubs to become more financially self-reliant.
“Many clubs have depended heavily on central sponsorship and donor support for years,” Banda explained.
“We need to start developing sustainable business models from ticket sales, merchandise, and community partnerships if we want to keep our teams competitive.”
On the other hand, Nkwazi FC coach, Peter Musonda, praised Betway for its role in football development and urged the government to review the new tax policy.
“Betway invested in grassroots programs and even helped improve coaching standards,” Musonda said. “We understand the government needs revenue, but there should be a balance. If these taxes drive sponsors away, football will suffer.”
Despite the uncertainty, ZPL officials have reiterated their commitment to maintaining league standards and ensuring that clubs continue to operate effectively.
The organization remains optimistic that new sponsorship deals will be secured in the coming months to help stabilize the league and sustain the momentum of local football.
For many fans, the Betway partnership represented a period of renewed optimism for Zambian football marked by improved marketing, stronger fan interaction, and vibrant community engagement.
While its conclusion is disappointing, it has sparked important conversations about the financial future of Zambian sports and the need for policies that balance government regulation with private sector investment.
