Mozambique expects nearly €7 million in casino tax revenue in 2025

Mozambique anticipates collecting 500 million meticais—approximately €6.9 million—in tax revenue from casinos in 2025, according to projections in the government’s Economic and Social Plan and State Budget (PESOE) for 2025. The proposal, approved on Saturday by lawmakers from the ruling Frelimo party and the main opposition party, Podemos, was reported by Jornal Económico.

This target represents a 29% increase compared to the 387.7 million meticais (€5.4 million) collected in 2024 and the 370.3 million meticais (€5.1 million) recorded in 2023.

However, the government had initially projected to generate nearly 1.235 billion meticais (€17.2 million) in gambling tax revenue for 2024 but only achieved around 31.4% of that goal, marking the second consecutive year the target was missed.

In total, the Mozambican government expects to collect 385.87 billion meticais (€5.37 billion) in taxes across all sectors in 2025—representing a 10% increase over 2024’s actual figures.

The casino sector is driven entirely by private investment, with five privately run establishments generating around $36 million (€34 million) in investment, according to a statement by former President Filipe Nyusi on August 8, 2024. These operations, including casino and slot machine room concessions, are located in Maputo, Beira, Tete, Nampula, Matola, and Pemba, and play a significant role in the tourism sector.

According to Mozambique’s National Directorate of Games of Chance, companies applying for a casino concession must have a minimum share capital equivalent to nearly $2.7 million (€2.4 million) and commit to invest at least $5.5 million (€4.9 million) within five years.

Casino operators are required to pay a Special Gambling Tax, which is levied on gross gaming revenue. The tax rate depends on the length of the concession:

• 20% for concessions up to 14 years

• 25% for up to 19 years

• 30% for 20 to 24 years

• 35% for 25 to 30 years

Additionally, operators must pay a stamp duty equal to 50% of the price of casino entrance tickets. However, they are exempt from other taxes on gaming profits and from import duties on equipment and materials used exclusively for casino operations.