🇲🇼 MW
Gambling licensing in Malawi
MAGLA regulates all gaming and lotteries in Malawi under the Gaming and Lotteries Act 2022, which merged the old Gaming Board and Lotteries Board. Online gambling is licensed as sport betting; each betting licence holder must register its website with MAGLA, and the brands here are taken from MAGLA's official list of licensed operators and registered websites. Casinos, gaming machines and the national lottery are licensed separately and are land-based or retail.
Information reviewed: 26 September 2026
Regulator and legal framework
- Primary framework
- Gaming and Lotteries Act 2022
- Minimum age
- 18
Licence categories
- Sport betting licence (land-based and online, website registered with MAGLA)
- Casino licence (land-based only)
- Gaming machine operator and site licences
- Wide area progressive (WAP) gaming licence
- National lottery and other lottery licences
- Bingo, junket agent, manufacturer and supplier licences
Key licensee requirements
- Hold a sport betting licence from MAGLA and register every betting website with it
- Licences run for between one and ten years depending on type
- New sport betting licences are issued through public invitations for applications (latest round June 2026)
- Follow MAGLA directives on responsible gambling and advertising, including protecting children
- Only licensed operators may offer gambling; playing with unlicensed operators is at the player's own risk
Legislation and standards
Gaming and Lotteries Act 2022
Created MAGLA as a single regulator for gaming, betting and lotteries, replacing the Gaming Act and Lotteries Act.
MAGLA advertising directive
Rules on responsible gambling advertising, including measures to protect children.
Licensed operator notice (22 September 2025)
MAGLA's public list of licensed sport betting, casino, WAP and lottery operators.