The Best Online Casinos in Zambia – Legal Zambian Operators + Top Bonuses

Though our main concern is to help you avoid the scams that are so prevalent online, we’ve also taken the opportunity to share some information and reviews on the best land-based casinos and resorts. We believe that this will give you a holistic understanding of the industry at large, and particularly when we’re also discussing the legality of the scene altogether.

The Results of Our Tests: The Top 6 Casinos in Zambia

Thus, let us present the best online casinos in Zambia, which you can see in the table below. These operators not only accept players from the country, they also meet all of our other requirements for what makes excellent, fraud-free websites for gambling activities. These are the best safe online casinos in Zambia, so if you’re ready to play, then click through below.

As you can see, one of the main things that these operators have to differentiate them from one another is the bonus offer. We’ll explain a little more detail later how the bonuses work, and what to look for. We’ll also give you guidance on what to look for with security and game portfolios, so that you can choose between these operators easily.

Best Online Casino for Zambia Players at a Glance – 2024‘s Test Winner

We stand by all of our selections for the best Zambia online casinos, but one site in particular especially impressed us. This operator took the lead in our testing thanks to its strong security measures, stellar game library and lucrative promotions.

If the details in the table above appeal to you, you can use the links provided to start playing at this casino right away. Alternatively, you can explore the other sites featured on this page and learn more about our selection process.

A Guide to the Best Casino Sites in Zambia

First things first when we here at scams.info tackle any topic, we put safety for the end user as the priority. There is nothing more important to us, and we have gained significant knowledge in understanding both countless industries and how to recommend you to trustworthy operations. When it comes to the online casino industry, we’ve narrowed the main criteria down to a top six areas of concern. Of course, these all are something like umbrella terms that include a lot of other points to know, as you’ll see in the table below, and as you read each section thoroughly.

As you may see from the table above, there is a common thread throughout all of these factors: safety. Of course, there are a lot of things that add up to a safe and secure online casino. Therefore, further down the page we’ll go into depth on some of the most pertinent gambling laws in Zambia so you’re also on the right side of legislation.

1. Safety and Scam Protection When Playing for Real Money

Why earn money by working hard, when you can take it in a much easier way? Well, that depends: are we talking about gambling, or scamming people online? Instead of relying on good old-fashioned luck for their easy money, some criminals prefer to take the illegal route and scam people out of their money by creating illegal online casinos. There are always ways to tell between the nefarious type and the honest operations, though. Below are some of the mains details you need to know to be able to protect yourself from a scam.

The diagram above points out some of the most likely places to find the security information on safe online casinos in Zambia. First, look to the webpage’s address bar. Is there a small padlock icon before the URL? If not, exit the page immediately. This little image is only there when a page has been encrypted using the latest in SSL technology and is a good first indicator of the page’s trustworthiness. Next, look for the icons of responsible gambling authorities and licensing agencies, as well as the Parliament of Zambia logo. These are normally in a website’s footer at the bottom of the page, where you’ll likely also see the logos of verified payment methods.

2. Secure Payments – Depositing and Withdrawing Safely

The biggest concern when talking about online security is always money. How can you be sure that your money will be transferred through the might of the internet and actually end up where it is supposed to go? Through using trusted and verified payment methods like the ones highlighted below. Visit my real money page to read about important info one needs to start playing with real money.

These are the most common payment methods you’ll find at all good online casinos in Zambia. There shouldn’t be many surprises on that list, as they’re all either enormous global corporations or African telecommunication companies. The one that may be new, is Skrill. This is an E-wallet that is growing in popularity in Africa for its ability to transfer money from a bank or credit card without having to share your personal information with the casino. One thing to look out for is whether or not the chosen payment method will be able to activate your casinos welcome bonus, as mobile payments and E-wallets are often excluded.

2.1. Airtel: Recommended Payment Method

Airtel is a particularly interesting method as it is based in Africa, and only used in the continent. Predominantly a communications company, it has a service called ‘Airtel Money’ which it offers to its customers as a type of payment method. To use it at online casinos based in the country like the Betway Zambia branch, you’ll need to visit an Airtel outlet, give them cash and receive a PIN. This number will be used through the Make Payments section of the phone account, then adding the casino name, your deposit amount and the PIN. Deposits are instant and there are no fees involved.

The best Zambian casino to offer this form of mobile payment is Betway. With a branch actually based in the country, it has the added benefit of also accepting payments in kwacha. Most others do not, and will use a currency conversion that may charge you additional fees should you be paying by credit card.

2.2. Limits and Fees

The deposits you make are sometimes not the whole amount of money that you will be charged, which is a fancy way of saying that there are occasionally fees involved. Most of the time, this won’t be the case, however it is up to the casino itself to decide whether or not it wants to hit you with fees. It is, then, a very good idea to have a look at the website’s payment policies before making any deposits.

Though we’ve recommended Airtel as one of the best payment methods, there is a catch. It allows maximum deposits of only the equivalent of US$200 at a time, which may not suit your needs if you have more expensive tastes. For those looking to make larger deposits, we would instead recommend a credit card like Visa, Mastercard or Diners Club – whichever you have. They all offer unlimited deposits and withdrawals. Keep in mind though that some casinos restrict their withdrawals to daily, weekly or monthly limits.

3. Reliable Customer Support Service

If you have any questions or need to clarify some of the terms and conditions or payment policies that we’ve mentioned here today, we’d recommend getting in touch with the customer service representatives of each casino to ask them directly. They are well acquainted with their own products and will be able to best help you. At the top online casinos in Zambia, there should be a range of contact methods available.

4. Transparent and Fair Casino Bonus Terms for Zambian Players

We’ve mentioned welcome bonuses a few times already in this article, and dropped some terminology like wagering conditions throughout. These are a type of offer that a casino can use to entice players to sign up for an account and make a deposit. They can often take the form of cash or additional spins on a selected slot machine. However, there are always some strings attached that you should understand:

• The Wagering Conditions – This refers to how many times you will need to wager the bonus funds before they will actually be given to you as cash.
• Expiration Date – This is the amount of time you have available to complete the aforementioned playthrough requirements. Some are as short as 24 hours, or a more common 30-60 days
• Accepted Payment Methods – Using an E-wallet like Skrill, or mobile payments like MTN or Airtel Money, will often not be eligible to trigger a welcome bonus.
• Game Contribution – Some games are better to use for completing wagering conditions than others, as they contribute in different weights to the requirements. Slots are often the best option.

From our list of the best online casinos in Zambia, we’ve selected 888casino as the one with the best welcome bonus offer. You can see the statistics and facts about the offer in the table below, and there are plenty of other promotions also available on the website. These are often seasonally based, or for particular gameplay styles, so are well worth a look. If you’d like to see what welcome bonuses look like in other markets, check out our page on casino bonuses. Just know that these bonuses are most likely not available in Zambia.

5. Rich Casino Games Selection

What’s your favourite type of casino game to play online? It’s highly likely that your answer is slots, though blackjack, roulette and poker also rank highly in popularity. No matter whether you prefer, these famous games or something a little more niche, there will be an operator that has what you want to play ready and waiting. Here are some of the most popular gameplay styles available:

Our best recommendation for good online casinos for Zambia players, in terms of having the biggest game collection, is Betway. This is because it combines the portfolios of many different software developers into one huge library, giving you seemingly endless choice and therefore entertainment. You can find some of the best games by clicking the link in the table below.

6. Stable Software Compatible with All Devices

As well as following the security factors for encryption that we mentioned earlier, the software that is used on a website must also pass certain tests. Each game, when it is developed, must be tested by a third-party authority in order to determine its fairness, and to certify its return to player (RTP) rate. This is a figure, expressed as a percentage, which tells you how much of your wagered money will be returned to you over time. This number is set by the developer and approved by another firm, meaning there are no scams involved. The best games will also be developed in a way that means you can play then in a web browser on your mobile phone, which is becoming very popular.

What You Need to Know to Play Legally in Zambia

Every country has a different attitude towards gambling. Some are more open towards the activity than others, and their governments have taken the opportunity to seize the popularity of gambling to earn some revenue through taxing the games and casinos. Others, prefer to ban the entire concept outright, which can lead to a large black market of illegal bets taking place. But are online casinos legal in Zambia? The following section will explain everything you need to know to stay on the right side of the law.

Gambling Laws and Authorities in Zambia

The act of gambling in Zambia is legal, and is regulated through the governmental organisation, the Betting Control and Licensing Board of Zambia. Land-based casinos, lottery, bingo and sports betting are all regulated by the board, though online casinos are not. This is because the three pieces of legislation that form the gambling laws in the country do not make any references to online gambling, so therefore a licence is not required, though it is certainly possible to gain by reputable casinos.

The only operator from our top three to hold a licence to offer gambling over the internet in Zambia is Betway. As there are no particular requirements for the online casino sphere, this means that the operator must run its business according to the same laws as the land-based operations. However, this does mean that there are player protections guaranteed for users of the website, much as there are for the resorts like those in Lusaka.

Gambling Taxation – Do You Owe Taxes After a Win

Unfortunately, just like the hidden payment fees that can sometimes occur, not everything you win is yours to keep either. There is a 20% Final Tax that is applied to all winnings from ‘gaming, lotteries and betting’ for Zambian residents. This is not restricted to the gambling that occurs on the country’s soil, either. All winnings from any off-shore operators are also subjected to this tax. This tax was introduced for the first time in 2014, as previously there was no tax applied to winnings. According to a recent Zambia Tax Guide produced by business advisory firm, PKF, these taxes should be withheld by the organisation making the payouts. However, as most of the casinos that offer gaming to Zambian residents are offshore sites, it would not be expected for them to do so. Make sure you claim it correctly to avoid any nasty surprises later.

The Zambia gambling winnings tax of 20% is pretty standard when compared to most other countries. The Philippines, for example, also taxes any winnings in the country by a flat 20% if they are over a P10,000 threshold. The best countries to gamble in, on tax-only terms, are Canada and the Republic of Ireland. In these places, players can keep every cent that they win. However, if you, as a Zambian resident were to gamble in these places and win, you would still need to pay the 20% tax in this country.

Most Important Legal Texts

The gambling legislation in Zambia consists of three important documents that each take care of a different section of the industry. At this stage it is important to note that none of the legislation is for online gambling, which means that it is by and large unregulated in Zambia. That doesn’t mean that the best online casinos in Zambia are operating illegally, it just means there are no legal guidelines that they must operate under. The three acts are:

• The State Lotteries Act – The regulations to control lotteries, and set up the Lotteries Control Board.
• The Casino Act – Lays out the guidelines for granting and revoking casino licences, and repeals the Casino and Gaming Machines Prohibition Acts.
• The Betting Control Act – The regulations for licensing bookmakers and sports betting premises.

What Might the Future Hold

As there are currently no Zambian regulations on its online casinos, there is a lot of danger out there for players. Casinos can legally operate with unfair rules or shady motivations and there are no player protections. That’s why we have recommended trustworthy casinos that are regulated in other markets, and the special case of Betway. These are the best places to play online for Zambians. Our research couldn’t find any pending changes that would introduce legislation for online casinos, though local online news outlet, Zambia Watchdog, reports that 2019 could see this happen. However, it also predicted the rise of Virtual Reality internet casino gaming in the country, which in our opinion, is unlikely.

Comparison with Other Markets

The gambling situation in Zambia is fairly advanced when compared to many other global markets, though it still has a lot of potential to grow. For example, the fact that it has legislation regulating and legalizing land-based gambling means that it is far more open to the activity that many Middle Eastern and Asian countries. However, the lack of regulations for online gambling put it a long way behind the likes of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, which both have strict rules for the operation of internet casinos. Though having more laws sounds like a bad thing, they are almost always in the aim of protecting players from both online scams and fraud, as well as themselves.

Curious Facts About the Market

While researching this page on Zambian casinos, we came across some interesting facts that we thought we’d share to give you a complete view of what’s happening in the industry. For example, a large proportion of the casinos in Zambia are owned by Chinese investors, which explains some of the trends you see in the resorts. On top of this, much of the headlines that revolve around the casino industry aren’t very positive. For example, in 2018, 48 casinos were found to be operating illegally and were thus shut down by the government. A number of these locations were found to be fronts for laundering money.

Gambling Statistics

The Zambian Government hasn’t shared much information about the revenue it gains from the casino industry, keeping much of the data to itself. However, a 2019 budget by advisory firm, PwC, has shared some details on the tax changes that are coming. Until recently, the country earned a flat 20% tax on all casino revenues, which will be abolished in 2019. Instead, it will be replaced by a new regime. This will see the same 20% applied to live casino games and gaming machines, though there will be a 15% increase on the tax for proceeds on lottery winnings, and a reduction of 10% for betting stakes.

An article by Zambian journalist, Edem Djokotoe is one of the most recent pieces investigating the problem gambling issue in the country. According to Djokotoe, Chinese investment has caused innumerable small locations to pop up all over Lusaka offering Bonanza machines alongside the arcade games found in the children’s venues like Time Zone. A problem, he says, is that children and adults are using their ration money to gamble, and there are no prominent responsible gambling organisations around that aim to help people with these issues.

Gambling Resorts

Although the country counts up to 35 casinos in its repertoire, most of them are rather small. There are only six that came up in our research that meet our standards to be considered a resort. These criteria include not only offering the standard games that we would normally require to be available to call oneself a ‘casino’ but also enough facilities to consider it a resort. The examples below are the highlights of the land-based casino industry in Zambia.

Emperor Palace Casino

Based at Embassy Mall in Lusaka, the Emperor Palace Casino is one of the biggest and most luxurious casinos in Zambia. It had its grand opening in March 2016, making a headline appearance on the developing casino strip. It is open every day from 11am to 4am, with the tables open from 1pm to 4am. These tables offer games including roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and three types of poker. The table limits reach a maximum of K25 for poker, K100 for blackjack and K5 for roulette, though the bets on the slot machines are as low as one Ngwee.

The Emperor Palace Casino aims to be more than just a gambling location, though. According to its website, it also runs frequent entertainment such as live music and dancing, using the stage of the casino to give visitors something a little more Las Vegas than just the wagers being placed. It also has an internationally-focused menu on offer, which has a range of Chinese, Indian and Western cuisine and beverages.

New Fairmont Hotel and Casino

The New Fairmont Hotel and Casino is predominantly a hotel, offering 100 luxurious rooms to guests. The casino itself is made up of 30 slot machines, and five tables for card games. Zambians who are fans of blackjack, poker and roulette are in luck here, as they can play these games at the casino. Based in Livingstone, the hotel is clearly designed for international guests based on its offer of foreign cuisines such as Chinese and Indian. However, that’s not the case for its suite of entertainment venues.

As well as the hotel and casino, the New Fairmont is also the home to one of the largest conference centres in Livingstone, making it an impressive drawcard for corporate meetings. On a less serious note is the casino-themed nightclub, which is well-loved by locals and travellers alike for its “King of Clubs” attitude.

Famous Zambian Gamblers

Although Zambia has a healthy gambling scene, there are not any particular residents of the nation that have made headlines for gambling. The popularity of high stakes games like poker is growing, though, so this could change. Keep an eye on this page for any updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

We hope that you’ve found this page helpful and are now ready to play at our selection of the best online casinos in Zambia. If you have any lingering doubts, feel free to read over our frequently asked questions below.

🥇 What are the best online casinos in Zambia?

We truly believe that the sites featured here represent the best of the best when it comes to online casinos in Zambia. However, out of all our recommended operators, Zambia scored as the very best of the bunch.

🥇 Which are the top Zambia casinos?

You can compare and contrast the top Zambia casinos by taking a look at our official ranking at the top of this page.

🤚 Are online casinos legal in Zambia?

Yes, online casinos are legal in Zambia. To learn more about the legal situation, we recommend that you read our guide to Zambian gambling laws.

🤑 Can I win real money at online casinos in Zambia?

Yes, you can definitely win real money at online casinos in Zambia. In order to do so, however, you must bet with real money. You can learn how to do this, and see which payment methods are available, by checking out our overview of casino payments.

🥇 Which Zambia casino has the best payouts?

We believe that our chosen sites all have the best payouts currently available on the Zambian gambling market. This is, however, only one factor we screen for when selecting operators. To learn what else makes a casino special, we recommend you take a look at our expert criteria.

Top Offer for Playing Real Money Games in Zambia

In conclusion, there is one online operator that stands out among the best online casinos in Zambia, and that’s Betway. This casino not only is licenced and registered in some of the strictest markets in the world, it has also gone above and beyond by contacting the Betting Control and Licencing Board of Zambia for its own licence. This means Betway is definitely not a scam, but instead a trustworthy and reliable place to have fun online. Check it out from the table below.