Zambia Gaming Association urges stronger compliance after Hichilema wins second term

The Zambia Gaming Association has welcomed President Hakainde Hichilema’s re-election and called on betting and gaming operators to strengthen regulatory compliance and meet their tax obligations as the industry continues to expand.

The Zambia Gaming Association (ZGA) has welcomed the re-election of President Hakainde Hichilema for a second five-year term, while using the political transition to renew its call for stronger compliance across the country’s gaming industry. ZGA chairperson Noah Malungila said the sector had recorded noticeable improvements in regulatory compliance since Hichilema first took office in 2021.

Hichilema was declared the winner of Zambia’s August 13 presidential election by the Electoral Commission of Zambia on August 18. Official results gave him 2,965,326 votes, ahead of his closest challenger Brian Mundubile with 1,856,217. Hichilema is due to be sworn in for his second term on September 1, 2026, after the constitutional period for filing a presidential election petition expired without a petition being lodged.

Malungila said the renewed mandate could provide further stability for the development of Zambia’s gaming sector. Speaking to ZNBC News, he argued that progress made during Hichilema’s first term should be accompanied by continued improvements in operators’ adherence to licensing, regulatory and fiscal requirements.

The ZGA specifically called on gaming businesses to comply with applicable regulations and pay taxes owed to the relevant authorities. The message continues a compliance campaign the association has been pursuing throughout 2026 as gambling activity, particularly sports betting and digital gaming, expands across Zambia.

Earlier this year, the association announced nationwide inspections focused on licensing compliance and illegal gambling activity. Malungila also warned operators against tax evasion, saying the ZGA had been working with government institutions including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Local Government and Zambia Revenue Authority to encourage greater compliance.

The association has simultaneously raised concerns about the social consequences of industry growth, particularly gambling-related harm among younger people. Its compliance push has therefore combined financial and licensing issues with calls for stronger responsible-gambling practices and action against unlawful operations.

The latest statement does not announce new gambling legislation or additional taxes. Instead, it signals that the ZGA wants existing requirements to be enforced more consistently during Hichilema’s second term. For operators, the immediate message is that continued market growth will be expected to go hand in hand with licensing compliance, proper documentation and full settlement of tax obligations.