The Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority (Magla) says gaming operators are worried that the government’s decision to increase withholding tax from 10 to 15 percent on gambling winnings will erode their revenue base. Magla chief executive officer Rachel Mijiga, speaking in Blantyre on Thursday when Minister of Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism George Partridge, now Reserve Bank of Malawi Governor, visited the authority, said they are engaging operators on the concerns to find a balanced approach that benefits government, investors and the public. She said Magla has, so far, engaged three operators, Betpawa, Betway and Premier Bet and will meet other five investors before consolidating the views.
Said Majiga: “There are concerns from the operators themselves within the industry to say we need to look at the new taxes. We are gathering insights and still engaging all the operators. “Once we gather all the information, we will have a session with the Minister of Finance and the Malawi Revenue Authority to align with the operators on the best way forward for a win-win situation for Malawi.” Mijiga said the authority is projecting a 60 percent growth in the gaming sector in the new government financial year starting April 1 2026 while also strengthening responsible gambling initiatives.
She said Magla has lined up new programmes targeting youth protection and public awareness. In the 2025/26 Mid-Year Budget Review Statement presented last November in Parliament, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation Joseph Mwanamvekha removed the thresholds on withholding tax on gambling winnings and adjusted the tax rate from 10 percent to 15 percent in line with government’s push for increased domestic revenue mobilisation. Speaking in his previous capacity as minister, Partridge challenged Magla to provide facts and a proper analysis before the issues can be taken up with the relevant ministry for possible action. The gaming industry is regulated under the Gaming Act of 2022.
