Two taxes affect Tanzanian bettors: withholding tax on your winnings, and an excise duty on the money you stake. Here's how each one works, in plain language.
Tanzania charges a withholding tax on gambling winnings. It is deducted from your winnings (not your stake) before the payout reaches you, so what you withdraw is already net of this tax. You don't file this yourself; it's handled by the operator.
How much: Withholding tax on winnings is charged under section 31A of the Gaming Act. Published sources disagree on the exact percentage, and the rate has been changed before — so we deliberately do not quote a figure here. Confirm the current rate with the TRA or a qualified adviser before relying on it.
Example (illustrative only): if the withholding rate is 20% and you win TZS 100,000 in profit, about TZS 20,000 is withheld and around TZS 80,000 reaches your account. (Figures are illustrative — confirm the exact rate.)
Alongside this, an excise duty on the amount you stake — every bet you place — is scheduled. Once in force, it is deducted automatically from the stake before your bet is placed, so a small part of each bet goes to tax before the game starts. You don't file this yourself; it's handled by the operator.
How much: An excise duty on betting stakes has been reported, but we have not been able to confirm either the rate or whether it is currently in force. Check the position with the TRA before relying on any figure.
Tax is just one part of the maths. The bigger factors in the long run are staying disciplined, understanding odds and markets, and only betting what you can afford to lose. See our responsible gaming guide.
For the current, official position, refer to the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), the Gaming Board of Tanzania (GBT) and the latest Finance Act. If you have a complex situation, speak to a qualified tax adviser.
