Malawi Opens Applications for New Casino and Sports Betting Licences

The Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority has launched a new licensing round for land-based casino and sports betting operators, giving local and international companies a fresh opportunity to enter the country’s regulated gambling market.

The Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority has opened applications for new land-based casino and sports betting licences, marking another step in the development of the country’s regulated gambling sector.

The regulator issued two public notices inviting qualified local and foreign applicants to submit proposals for consideration. The land-based casino licensing process is being conducted under the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 2022, while the sports betting process falls under the same Act and the Gaming and Lotteries Sports Betting Regulations of 2025.

For sports betting licences, applications must be submitted by July 10, 2026, at 16:30 local time. Land-based casino applications will close slightly later, on July 15, 2026, also at 16:30 local time. MAGLA has stated that late submissions will not be accepted.

Interested applicants must obtain the relevant Request for Proposals document from MAGLA. For land-based casino licences, the non-refundable RFP fee is MWK500,000. For sports betting licences, local applicants must pay MWK2m, while foreign applicants are required to pay US$1,500.

MAGLA stressed that the invitation does not guarantee the award of a licence. Applicants will be assessed through fit and proper checks, financial integrity reviews, beneficial ownership verification and regulatory due diligence. The regulator also reserves the right to reject applications, cancel or amend the process, or vary timelines and requirements through further public notice.

The new licensing round is significant for Malawi’s gambling market because it gives both domestic and international operators a formal path into the regulated sector. It also reflects the regulator’s effort to strengthen transparency, licensing discipline and oversight at a time when African gambling markets are becoming more competitive and more closely monitored.

For operators, the opportunity comes with clear compliance expectations. Companies seeking entry into Malawi will need to demonstrate financial capacity, transparent ownership, responsible operating standards and readiness to work under MAGLA’s regulatory framework.

For Malawi, the process could help attract new investment, expand the licensed market and reduce space for unregulated gambling activity. If managed effectively, the new licences may support a more structured gambling environment while giving the country stronger tools to monitor operators, protect consumers and generate formal economic value from the sector.