Lottery tickets are legal to purchase in Zambia under the Lotteries Act, Chapter 163 of the Laws of Zambia, enacted in 1957. This legislation provides for the control and regulation of lotteries, establishing the Lotteries Control Board to oversee all lottery operations throughout the country. The Act governs lotteries, raffles, and games of chance, requiring companies running promotional schemes with cash giveaways or equivalent prizes to obtain permits from the Ministry of Finance or relevant regulatory authorities (1).
In June 2025, the Zambian Cabinet approved a comprehensive bill to modernize the country's gambling and lotteries sector by repealing several outdated laws including the State Lotteries Act Cap 328, Lotteries Act Cap 163, and Pools Act Cap 165. Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa stated that the existing legislative framework has become obsolete given Zambia's evolving economic landscape and advancements in digital technology. The industry has grown significantly with more lottery operators entering the market while legal frameworks remained largely unchanged (2).
"The industry has grown significantly, with more casinos, lottery operators, and betting companies entering the market, while the legal and supervisory frameworks have remained largely unchanged."
The proposed Gaming and Lotteries Regulatory Bill aims to close regulatory gaps created by the expansion into online gambling and establish formal registration requirements for gambling operators. The government introduced a 10% excise duty on betting services in July 2025 as part of efforts to legitimize the betting sector and curb financial losses from unregulated operations. Lottery promotional campaigns must clearly define game mechanics, avoid hidden costs to participants, and comply with advertising standards under Zambia's Consumer Protection Act (1).
Source:
https://lexavenue.eu/legal-compliance-for-promotional-giveaways/
https://gamblingtalk.net/news/zambia-cabinet-approves-bill-to-overhaul-outdated-gaming-framework
Last updated: 16-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
