Mozambique recorded a significant increase in tax collected from casinos, reaching 281.5 million meticais (about 4.3 million dollars) between January and September 2023. This figure represents growth of 16.7% compared with the same period of the previous year, when revenue of 241.1 million meticais (about 3.7 million dollars) was recorded.

The data, published in an economic and social review of the execution of the State Budget up to the end of the third quarter of 2023, show that the amount collected corresponds to only 31.6% of the target set by the Government for the current year. The expectation was to reach 891.3 million meticais (approximately 13.8 million dollars) from this type of tax, equivalent to 0.1% of the total revenue of the Mozambican State forecast for 2023.
The trend of growth in revenue from this tax had been apparent since the first quarter of the year, driven by the conditional reopening of casinos and the easing of some restrictive measures imposed because of the covid-19 pandemic.

Mozambique's National Directorate of Games of Chance or Fortune sets strict rules for granting casino operating licences. Among these, notable are the requirement for a minimum share capital for concessionaire companies, never less than about 2.7 million dollars, and a minimum investment of 5.5 million dollars over a period of five years.

In addition, concessionaires are subject to payment of the Special Gaming Tax, which varies between 20% and 35% of gross revenue, depending on the length of the concession. This tax is supplemented by Stamp Duty, which amounts to 50% of the price of casino entrance tickets. However, companies in the sector are exempt from paying other taxes on profits from gaming operations, as well as import duties on equipment and materials intended exclusively for casino activity.

This picture reflects the growing importance of the gaming sector in the Mozambican economy, not only as a source of tax revenue but also as a potential driver of investment and economic development.