Poker is legal in Malawi through licensed land-based casinos that offer table games including poker. The Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament charged with the responsibility of licensing gaming and lotteries. MAGLA has the power to regulate all gaming and lottery activities in the country and undertake operational functions associated with these principal roles (2).
In 2022, the Malawi Parliament passed milestone legislation that reformed gambling in Malawi through the Gaming and Lotteries Act. Under this Act, the Malawi Gaming Board and the National Lotteries Board were merged into a single body known as MAGLA. The new law brought in several major changes, including legalizing online gambling, aimed at expanding the gambling market to grow the economy (1).
"In 2022, the Malawi Parliament passed into law milestone legislation that reformed the face of gambling in Malawi through the Gaming and Lotteries Act. Under this Act, the MGB and the NLB were merged into a single body known as the Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority."
Currently, there are five casinos operating legally in Malawi, with the Colony Club in Blantyre offering poker, slots, and several table games. While online gambling regulations are still in development, players in Malawi can access offshore gambling sites. The proposed regulations require operators to maintain their main server in the country and a physical office with at least one key person resident within Malawi (1).
Source:
https://www.igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulation-in-malawi/
https://magla.org.mw/
Last updated: 04-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
