Tanzania finalizes draft agreement with local authorities on regulation of gaming machines

DODOMA: THE Deputy Minister for Finance, Engineer Mshamu Munde, has said the government is finalising a draft agreement with local government authorities on the regulation of gaming machines, commonly known as dumbwi, with the agreement expected to be signed after stakeholders have submitted their views.

Munde made the statement in Parliament in Dodoma on Thursday, October 29, 2026, while responding to a question from Tanga Special Seats Member of Parliament Husna Sekiboko.

He said the agreement aims to establish a revenue-sharing arrangement between the central government and local councils, while improving oversight of the businesses, whose licences are currently issued by the Gaming Board of Tanzania (GBT).

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Responding to concerns about the social impact of the games, Munde said there was no research or evidence showing that the activities contributed to moral decay.

However, he noted that studies conducted had identified gambling addiction as one of the challenges associated with the games that required effective control measures.