Zambia gaming industry has been urged to maintain high standards of regulatory compliance and tax responsibility following President Hakainde Hichilema’s re-election for a second term.
The Zambia Gaming Association (ZGA) welcomed the continuation of Hichilema’s administration, saying his renewed mandate could help further develop and grow the country’s gambling and gaming sector. ZGA chairperson Noah Malungila said this during an interview with ZNBC News, as reported by Open Zambia.
Hichilema was declared president-elect by the Electoral Commission of Zambia on August 18, following his victory in the August 13 presidential election. He is expected to take the oath of office on September 1 for a further five-year term.
Malungila noted that the gaming industry has made progress on regulatory compliance since Hichilema took office in 2021. He described the election outcome as evidence of continued public confidence in the President’s leadership, while emphasizing the importance of peace, economic development, and national progress.
However, Malungila stressed that the industry’s growth must go hand in hand with greater responsibility from operators. He urged gaming companies to fully comply with licensing and regulatory requirements and to ensure that all applicable taxes are paid to the relevant government authorities.
The ZGA’s message also reinforces its ongoing efforts to strengthen oversight and tackle illegal gambling activities in Zambia. In February, the association announced a nationwide inspection programme targeting betting and gaming businesses to assess licensing compliance and identify operators involved in unauthorized gambling.
The association has also warned that operators found violating gambling laws or failing to meet their tax obligations could face serious enforcement actions, including closure or deregistration. The inspections were expected to cover both local and international gaming companies operating in the Zambian market.
With Hichilema beginning a second term, the ZGA’s position highlights the need for cooperation between government, regulators, and industry stakeholders to build a compliant, sustainable, and professionally managed gaming sector.
For operators, the message is clear: continued participation in Zambia’s expanding gaming market will require adherence to regulatory standards, proper licensing, and full tax compliance.
