Background on Sports Betting in Tanzania:

• Tanzania has a population of 58 million people, with 70% of the population under the age of 24 (around 40.6 million people).
• The country's GDP stands at $47.43 billion.
• The rapid growth of mobile phone penetration and mobile money services has driven significant growth in sports betting.
• Sports betting revenue in Tanzania has surged, surpassing the traditional casino industry, with more than 30 billion TSH in revenue, according to the Tanzania Gaming Board.
• In Dar es Salaam, no one is ever far from a sports betting agent, reflecting the accessibility of these services.

Despite the rapid expansion of sports betting in Tanzania, it is essential to explore recommended fantasy sportsbooks for a more engaging and structured betting experience. These platforms not only provide exciting options but also offer a safer and more controlled environment for fantasy sports enthusiasts.

About Me

My enthusiasm for financial inclusion drives me to believe that Tanzania has the potential to become a leader in digital payments across Sub-Saharan Africa. Young people are essential to the progress of both our nation and the surrounding region.

I dedicate numerous hours each week to engaging with the youth in Tanzania. Utilizing the human-centered product design approach I learned at Stanford Graduate School of Business, I carried out detailed interviews. Additionally, I invested a significant amount of time gathering information from young people for the World Bank.

I actively participated in over 26 events that took place over the course of 173 days, connecting with more than 18,000 young people across four regions: Arusha, Moshi, Dar es Salaam, and Mwanza. The youth I engaged with came from various income levels, including both unemployed individuals and those employed at leading banking and consulting firms in the country. Each week, I dedicate countless hours to continue supporting our youth.

I have friends employed by Sports Betting companies in Tanzania, and I hold them in high regard. While I do not personally endorse betting, I appreciate the industry as a whole. Initially, I hesitated to write this article, but my colleagues urged me to share my thoughts.

What I Have Seen From the Sports Betting Industry:

• Betting is addictive. First-timers are often overconfident in their ability to control their spending. However, peer pressure and the allure of quick wealth are proven psychological triggers for addiction.
• The industry’s negative social impact is most felt by lower-income earners. I recently visited a poorer village in rural Shinyanga and interviewed a man who was betting on his mobile phone. That very day, he had borrowed betting money from four different people. His family does not approve of the betting, but his friend hit a jackpot a few months ago, and now he keeps trying his luck.
• Heavy advertising campaigns target youth. My daily commute to downtown Dar es Salaam is filled with at least 30 sports betting ads. Many of these ads are placed in high-traffic areas, such as bus stands, radio stations, and newspapers, and are regularly promoted on Facebook feeds.

What About the Government’s Tax Benefits From Sports Betting?

Tanzania's Gaming Board recently introduced a new tax that applies to winnings from sports betting activities. Under this regulation, gambling victories will be taxed at a rate of 18%, deducting the amount that was wagered.

This tax framework has the potential to generate substantial revenue. An article from The Citizen suggests that income from sports betting might soon be adequate to support the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports. However, what risks could arise from this situation?

• Credit, mental health, and family crises among Tanzania’s working poor and youth. Betting groups and borrowing to bet pose a significant concern in our collectivist culture.
• Dangerous underground sports betting networks, leading to an increase in theft, corruption, and violence.
• Cultural decline. Sports are meant to bring people together. It is rare to go to a national stadium during a Simba vs. Yanga match and see empty seats. But betting detracts from the game, as fans focus more on their wallets than the match itself, creating division among fans.
• Sports corruption. There are cases in many countries where teams are paid off to intentionally lose games, allowing gamblers to profit. Could this lead to an increase in bribery and corruption in Tanzanian sports?
• Limited job creation and economic impact beyond taxes. How many of these sports betting companies are locally owned? Not many.
• The impact on Tanzania’s youth. What kind of example are we setting for the 40 million young people under the age of 24? What future are we creating for them?