Gambling is not a new concept in Mozambique. Bettors in this country have been gambling for decades now. During colonial times (before June 1975), betting was popular under Portuguese rule. Even so, little is known regarding the games gamblers played or the laws that governed this thrilling activity back then.
In 1994, almost two decades after Mozambique attained its independence, gambling in this country was legalized. However, this law of 1994 came with some pretty harsh restrictions. For instance, it required all casinos to be located in a large hotel with at least 250 rooms. They also had to be situated fifty kilometers away from cities. In addition, the minimum amount one was allowed to invest in a casino was $15 million.
Undoubtedly, these tough conditions made it difficult for most enthusiastic entrepreneurs to invest in land-based casinos in the 1990s, especially if they lacked adequate knowledge about how a casino business operates. What if they suffered losses or unknowingly broke a law that would render their investment fruitless?
Mozambicans who enjoyed gambling before 2000 were also incredibly cautious when choosing the casinos to visit. Most of these betting fans considered factors such as licensing and location before selecting a gambling house.
Gambling nowadays in Mozambique
The gambling industry in Mozambique is now better than it was in the 1990s. In 2009, Armando Guebuza, the former president of this country, amended the 1994 gambling law to get rid of the stringent rules that gambling businesses and gamblers had to follow. The main reason behind this was to improve Mozambique's tourism sector.
The new law brought about these favorable changes:
Area restrictions were lifted, meaning that casinos can now be established near cities in Mozambique.
Entrepreneurs only need to raise a minimum capital of USD 8 million to establish a casino instead of $15 million.
Casinos in Mozambique don't have to be a part of a 250-room hotel. Instead, they can be established "in association" with one or more four or five-star hotels in this country.
Gambling companies are free to operate slot machines outside their residences in locations such as malls.
Online gambling is now legal in Mozambique.
After the 2009 amendment, more Mozambicans are excited to sink their money into casinos. Investors in this industry choose the locations of their gambling houses wisely to maximize profits. In most cases, casinos are situated close to cities because they are likely to draw the attention of more players who are now not as guarded as they were before.