It is opposed by clerics and a segment of the general public, but for the government, gambling and other gaming activities are valuable sources of revenue.
Gaming is allowed in Tanzania, with restrictions on children below the age of 18.
Additionally, certain locations are regulated, and operators must obtain a license before commencing their operations.
However, the rapid expansion of the industry in recent years has led to widespread operations, particularly concerning slot machines.
These machines, despite the stringent laws and regulations enforced by the Gaming Board of Tanzania, are enticing children, increasing the risk of addiction.
The Gaming Board has accused “illegal operators” of violating gaming regulations and is considering taking further action to curb these violations.
The government has made gaming activities a revenue stream with some deliberate measures to grow the industry.
In the last seven financial years, the gaming industry’s contribution to government revenue has surged by 407.1 percent, reaching Sh170.4 billion in 2022/23, according to the Gaming Board.
In the first half of the current financial year, the gaming industry generated Sh108.16 billion, raising hopes that it could surpass the Sh200 billion mark by the end of the financial year.
“Tanzania has been a role model for some African countries due to the growth of the industry,” stated the board in a recent presentation to editors.
He mentioned Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Ethiopia as countries whose officials have visited the Gaming Board on separate occasions to learn from Tanzania’s experience.
Furthermore, the government is pushing to establish a national lottery, which is expected to start operations in the 2023/24 financial year.
In the current financial year, the gaming board is expected to issue 11,880 licenses for gaming operators, including 2,273 new licenses and 9,607 renewals.
While the government views these developments positively, religious leaders oppose gambling for both moral and economic reasons.
Additionally, some experts criticise the regulatory environment, suggesting it is insufficient to address the industry’s challenges.
“These games are not good, despite the fact that the government allows them for adults,” said retired Rev. Richard Hananja of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania.
“It’s unfortunate that we clerics are not speaking out strongly against gambling. We are potentially cultivating a nation of individuals reliant on chance for success in life rather than fostering a culture of hard work,” he said.
He recounted witnessing someone who was compelled to sell property due to a gambling addiction.
“Gamblers are ready to sell anything, including their bodies, to get money for betting,” he noted with concern.
According to him, children are becoming increasingly vulnerable to gambling due to the lack of stringent enforcement of existing laws and regulations.
In January 2019, the government imposed restrictions on gaming activities’ commercials on radios and televisions, following suspicions that such advertisements were jeopardising the ethos of responsible gaming.
The restriction came after a meeting between then-President John Pombe Magufuli and religious leaders, who expressed concerns about the excessive promotion of gaming activities in Tanzania.
Secretary-General of the Foundation of Sheikhs and Islamic Scholars of Tanzania, Sheikh Khamis Mataka, says that gaming is restricted for all people under Islamic principles due to its negative impact on society.
“Gambling causes poverty for many (losers) and creates a few rich people,” said Sheikh Mataka, adding that addiction to gambling can also lead to an increase in theft.
“There are also psychological effects, as addicted individuals often rely on quick gambling income and neglect other economic activities. This poses a significant danger to both the nation and the welfare of the individual,” he said.
His views resonate with those of the Supreme Council of Ansar Sunnah Organisations in Tanzania (Basuta) Deputy Secretary-General, Sheikh Mohamed Issa, who emphasised that gambling and similar games are not only harmful to children but also impermissible (haram) for both children and adults.
“Gambling is among those social evils strongly condemned in the Quran and Prophetic hadith due to their effects in instilling laziness and love for easy-come things against hard work, toil, and struggle,” said Sheikh Issa, adding that for kids, it has detriments as it creates a generation that believes in easy gains while discouraging hardworking.
“Such a generation degenerates into stealing, cheating, embezzlement, corruption, and various forms of material possession acquired without engaging in decent work and entrepreneurship,” he said.
According to him, instilling in the kids faith and fear of the “Creator (Allah),” teaching them ways of lawful income, educating them against the malice of gambling, and banning betting advertisements in sports, mainstream media and social media could be some of the measures to save future generations.
“But above all, strengthening family relationships and teaching children good manners in the family is crucial,” said Sheikh Issa, urging strong legislation against the exposure of gambling to children.
For psychologists, opening up to children about the negative impact of gambling can help in addressing the legalised “sinful” games.
“Our children are at risk of developing gambling disorders, as gambling behaviour is declared legal by the authorities under certain conditions, yet there is inadequate regulation to control these potentially harmful games,” said clinical psychologist Saldin Kimangale from the Dar es Salaam-based Somedics Polyclinic Health Centre.
“As a parent, it is important to identify gambling behaviours in your children as soon as possible to prevent further harm and offer the appropriate assistance,” he added.
According to him, parents need to pay close attention to any unexplained increases in their children’s money, as well as observe if they are frequently hiding with their mobile phones and engaging in online gambling.
“Parents should engage their children in open dialogue without judging them, offering them education on the risks and consequences of gambling in understandable vocabularies that can be very helpful,” said Mr Kimangale.
“It is also crucial to limit access to gambling opportunities and foster alternative activities like sports or creative pursuits to redirect the children’s focus positively. Parents should also be available for their children, as absent parents are the reason why children dwell in this detrimental problem,” he said.
For other commentators, enforcement of the current laws has not been strictly implemented to protect the children.
A senior lecturer at the University of Dodoma’s economics department, Dr Lutengano Mwinuka, says parents and academicians should play a role in protecting the children.
“I think the biggest move is enforcing the existing laws that restrict children from gambling,” said Dr Mwinuka, adding that the academic curricula should contain aspects of gaming to increase awareness among children.
His comment was supported by veteran psychologist Fr Leons Maziku, who also asked for enforcement of the laws protecting children.
“If we thoroughly enforce the existing laws on the protection of a child, I think we can control the possibility of a child’s addiction,” he said.
Technology facilitating gaming
The advancement in technology has made it easier to play games through online platforms.
The online platforms ask for a mobile phone number and select to agree with the condition that the subscriber is over 18 years old, without any verification mechanisms.