Malawi, officially the Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia, Tanzania an Mozambique. Its capital is Lilongwe, which is also Malawi's largest city; the second largest is Blantyre. In 1889, a British protectorate was proclaimed over the Shire Highlands, which was extended in 1891 to include the whole of present-day Malawi as the British Central Africa Protectorate. In 1907, the protectorate was renamed Nyasaland . On 6 July 1964, Nyasaland became independent from British rule and renamed itself Malawi


The gambling in Malawi is regulated by the Gambling Act No 26 de 1996, published on 27th December 1996 .The Gambling Act established a Gaming Board with power to issue licenses and permits in accordance with the Act and during the subsistence of a licence or permit, to vary, or for good cause , to suspend or cancel it. The licenses shoul state the precise location and extend of the premises. Every license issued should expire on the 31st March next following the date of issue ( one year license). This for the casinos.
The Board could issue a permit authorizing the use of a gaming machine on machine premises approved by it ( gaming machines nor for use exclusive in casinos).
The gaming could be permited in the clubs where the gaming was carried on as na activity or a clubs where gaming is not the only activity, or the substancial activity of the club. Could participate in the gambling club only memberships with na anual subscription, or the maximum or two bona fide guests of any one member.
On 14th July 1998, were published the Amendments of the Gambling Act 24/1996. Some small changes in definitions, taxes and funcionality.of the Gaming Board.
On 28th August 1998, were published the Gaming Regulations of the Gaming Act 24/1996. Games approved – roulette, black jack, craps, punto banco, baccarat, poker, slot machines, chemin de fer and such other games as may determined by the Board. The Board shall have the power to issue the following licenses- for casino , gaming machine, gaming machine site, junket agente, manufacturer, maintanance and supplier. A casino license shall authorize the licensee to organize and manage the playing in or the licensed gaming premises, of any game specified in the license.As condition the licensees should demonstrate sppropriate knowledge or experience to operate a casino, A gaming machine operator license shall authorize the holder thereof to operate, in or licensed gaming premises of the holder of a gaming machine specified in the license.A licensee shal not issue any chip or token or sell or reedem such chip or token, without approval by the Board.The application for approval of the chips and tokens, shall include theexact drwaing in color,of each side and the edge, show the measurements and rhe name and adress of the manufacturer. The board may retain the sample chips and tokens. The instructions regulates also the personal, equipments, etc.
In 26th June, 2015 was published The Gaming ( Amendment ) Regulations of the Gambling Act.The power of the Board were enlarged to issue licenses –bingo operator andwide area progressive gaming . The amendment determine the fees to pay per annum to the granting of licenses in Kwachas – Casinos K 1000000 plus K10000 per gambling table ang K8000 per slot macine; Gaming machine operator license K150000 plus K8000 per slot machine; Gaming machine site K50000; Wide area prrogressive gambling K500000 plus 8000 per slot machine, etc.
The Malawi Development Corporation (MDC) has invited KaiRo to develop the gaming industry in Malawi. With the cooperation of the Malawi Gaming Board, KaiRo instaled the first casino in Malawi in December 2002. The casino was situated in Blantyre´s picturesque suburbs, settled in exquisite gardens, in a colonial style building, at Victoria Avenue.
The casino was named the COLONY CLUB CASINO, had a sports bar in the lower level. The casino had 67 gaming machines including electronic roulette and had 7 table games,american roulette, blackjack, caribbean stud poker and Raise´sem Poker ( a variant of Texas Holdem). On 2013 moved to new premises at Mpatsa Square, Kidney Crescent, Blantyre. The casino would close its casino tables in December 2009 at the expires of its casino license, and concentrated on its WAP operation.

First premises of COLONY CLUB CASINO- Blantyre

AMERICAN PIRATES PALACE
In Februay 2013 KaiRo opened a second casino in Lilongwe,the AMERICAN PIRATES PALACE, largest than the one in Blantyre, the American Pirates Palace, with 100 slot machines, including vídeo poker machines and 8 gaming tables, including blackjack .and roulette. Paul Kagame Road. Lilongwe

2007/2008
SLOTS
The new Board licensed two new Wide Area Profressive (WAP) . WAP is a new product in Malawi in which licensees will operate main sites , one in Lilongwe and the other in Blantyre. This main sites will be linked to a number of satellite sites country side and will run jackpots which can be won in any of the linked sites.

After a thorowh review of the two current casinos ( AMERICAN PIRATES and COLONY CLUB in Blantyre) resolved to end the operations ( by December 2018) and start afresh with new gambling licenses. The Board approved extension of this two licenses by one year, up to 31 December 2009, to allow for a smooth transition, as current operators have expressed interest to compete for new licenses.These two licenses were granted in December 2002 and February 2003, with the conditions they would develop tourism projects, which were not delivered . The Malawi government considers gaming as a tourism product hence legalized in 1996, and the main objectiv was to promote and develop tourism.
The COLONY CLUB in Blantyre closed its gaming tables in December 2019, due the termination of the license. Only one casino , the American Palace´s Pirates ,has been in operation in 2010.
Profile of the Gaming Industry.
The following licenses operated during the year:
Casinos
-COLONY CLUB CASINO, operated by Kairo International(Mw) Ltd with 7 gaming tables plus off-line machines and 20 machines on WAP ( gaming tables closed December 2019)
-PIRATES CASINO operated by American Palace (Pvy) Ltd, with 7 gaming tables and 94 machines

2016 the grand event- CASINO MARINA
CASINO MARINA opened on 15th December 2016 following the successfull soft launch on 28 November 2016. The casino is situated within Sogecoa Golden Peacock hospitality complex at the City Centre in Lilongwe. The casino has 72 slot machines and 21 gaming tables.Casino Marina is owned by the Sogecoa group bit i tis run by a casino operator from Sri Lanka called Rank Holdings Limited

THE THREE CASINOS IN MALAWI

1-COLONY CLUB CASINO- BLANTYRE

2-CASINO AMERICAN PALACE PIRATES- LILONGWE
The casino was opened in LILONGWE on February 2013.

3- CASINO MARINA- LILONGWE
Casino Marina opened on 15th December 2016 following the soft launch on 28 November 2016. The casino is situated within Sogecoa Golden Peacock hospitality complex at the City Centre in Lilongwe. Casino Marina is owned by the Sogecoa group bit it is run by a casino operator from sri Lanka called Rank Holdins Ltd

4- THE FUTURE
China Lilongwe Holding, one of the casinos licensees by the Board in 2007 started the construction of the shopping mall and the casino in 2019

Photos chips and plaques- CHIPBOARD
Other photos from MALAWI GAMING BOARD Board Annual Reports and the author