How Zambia's Betting Operators Move Money Across Borders

Zambian betting runs on phones and wallets. MTN MoMo, Airtel Money and Zamtel Kwacha are the main payment methods, and players hold balances in kwacha. Every operator, local or international, needs a valid licence from the Betting Control and Licensing Board.

Many licensed brands belong to regional groups with suppliers, parent companies and partners in other SADC countries. Moving money between those entities uses a different set of rails from player deposits.

SADC-RTGS for Larger Payments

The main regional option runs through central banks. SADC-RTGS settles rand-denominated cross-border payments within SADC and cuts reliance on correspondent banking. The South African Reserve Bank operates the system for SADC central banks, and it has run since July 2013.

Zambian access sits with a set list of institutions. Participants include Access Bank, the Bank of Zambia, First National Bank, Indo-Zambia Bank, Stanbic, Standard Chartered, Zanaco and Zambia Industrial Commercial Bank. A Zambian payer does not need a rand account, because commercial banks source the rand for settlement.

TCIB for Small, Fast Transfers

Low-value payments now have their own channel. TCIB is an interoperable SADC system built for high-volume, low-value payments, clearing instantly on evenings, weekends and public holidays.

Zambia is among the SADC countries TCIB serves.

The Zambia link addressed a cost problem. BankservAfrica launched a South Africa to Zambia corridor clearing payments in 60 seconds, after finding Zambia the most expensive corridor in the region. At launch, TCIB carried a limit of US$350 per transaction.

Regulators want each system used for its purpose. The South African Reserve Bank said low-value cross-border transactions sent through SADC-RTGS used an inappropriate system and should move to a retail payment scheme. PayInc, a regulated SADC scheme manager, now operates TCIB.

The Domestic Plumbing Behind It

Zambia's own systems connect to these regional rails. The country's RTGS system, ZIPSS, went live after an upgrade on 14 October 2023 and moved to ISO 20022 messaging.

Supervision has also widened. The Banking and Financial Services Act 2026 brings banks, microfinance institutions, fintechs and e-money issuers under one Bank of Zambia framework. Formalisation under the Act triggers withholding-tax duties on cross-border payments, among other obligations.

Outbound payments carry their own rate. Payments to non-residents face 20% withholding tax, except where a double taxation agreement applies. Service fees paid to foreign platform suppliers fall into that category.

Tax on Every Flow

Player-side taxes sit on top of the payment costs. A 10% excise duty on betting stakes started in October 2025, operators remit it monthly, and the Constitutional Court upheld the levy. The April 2026 budget revisions kept withholding tax on gaming, lottery and betting winnings at 15%.

The Zambia Revenue Authority collects through digital channels. Payment options include mobile money, USSD, TaxOnApp, online banking, WhatsApp and the ZRA portal.

A relief window is also open. Under the Extended Voluntary Disclosure Scheme, taxpayers have until 31 December 2026 to settle qualifying liabilities without accrued penalties and interest. The scheme covers Presumptive Tax on Gaming and Betting and the Betting Levy.

Choosing the Right Rail

Zambian operators now choose between wholesale settlement through SADC-RTGS and instant retail transfers through TCIB. Each option sits under Bank of Zambia rules, withholding tax on outbound payments and an excise regime that takes 10% of every stake.

Also Read: How LONACI Controls Remote Gaming in Côte d'Ivoire