In Tanzania, sports betting is part of the culture. According to the Gaming Board of Tanzania, the industry generates more than 30 million Tanzanian shillings annually and accounts for about 3.5% of the country’s GDP. According to PMBet’s review on https://betting-tanzania.ac.tz/betting-sites-in-tanzania/pmbet/, the bookmaker offers around 1,000 events daily, covering more than 30 disciplines. However, the distribution of bets is uneven — some sports account for up to 70% of all transactions, while others remain niche.
Football and the Dar es Salaam Derby
About 60-70% of all bets on PMBet are on football. This is no coincidence — football in Tanzania has become a national passion after Mbwana Samatta became the first Tanzanian to sign a contract with the English Premier League (Aston Villa in 2020).
The Vodacom Premier League is the main attraction for local betting. Sixteen teams compete for the title, but two clubs overshadow the rest. Simba SC from the Temeke area and Young Africans (Yanga) from Jangwani create a rivalry known as the “Dar es Salaam Derby”. These matches bring the city to a standstill — fans fill the stadiums, bars broadcast the games, and PMBet records peak activity.
PMBet TZ offers up to 400 different betting markets for the derby — match outcome, exact score, time of first goal, number of corners. The odds are inflated due to unpredictability. Simba dominates one season, Yanga takes revenge the next.
In addition to the local league, Tanzanians bet on:
- The English Premier League — broadcasts are shown in all bars in Dar es Salaam;
- La Liga with Barcelona and Real Madrid — El Clásico attracts thousands of bets;
- The UEFA Champions League at the play-off stage;
- The Africa Cup of Nations every two years.
PMBet’s margin on football is 2.53-5.5%, which is below the industry average (6%).
Basketball and the NBA
Basketball accounts for 10-15% of PM Bet TZ’s total betting volume. The NBA attracts the most attention, even though the games are played late at night Tanzanian time. The playoff finals attract the most bets, with players following the rivalry between the Lakers, Boston and Golden State.
PMBet offers around 200 markets for NBA games. Bets on total points, handicaps and individual statistics are popular. You can bet on whether a player will score more than 25 points or make a double-double. European basketball is represented by the EuroLeague, and African tournaments such as AfroBasket also attract bets. Live betting works well thanks to frequent score changes.
Athletics — National Pride
Tanzania is one of Africa’s strongest countries in middle- and long-distance running. Filbert Bayi set a world record in the 1500 metres in 1975, which stood for eight years. Suleiman Nyambui took silver in the 5000 metres at the 1984 Olympics.
John Stephen Akhwari became a national hero after the marathon at the 1968 Olympics — despite a leg injury, he crossed the finish line last when the stadium was empty. His phrase, “My country sent me not to start the race, but to finish it,” became legendary.
PMBet TZ accepts bets on the Olympic Games, world championships, African championships and the Dar es Salaam Marathon, which takes place annually. When Tanzanian runners compete in international competitions, the volume of bets increases sharply. Bets are placed on the winner of the race, the top three finishers, or beating a certain time.
Boxing, Tennis and Other Disciplines
Hassan Mwakinyo is the most prominent Tanzanian boxer in recent years. In 2018, he knocked out Australian boxer Jeff Horn in the first round. The fight was broadcast in Brisbane, but Tanzanians watched it online and placed bets on PMBet TZ. Bets include the winner, the method of victory, and the round in which the fight will end.
Tennis accounts for 5-8% of bets thanks to the year-round ATP and WTA calendars. The Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open attract the most attention.
Rugby accounts for 3-6% of bets. The Rugby World Cup attracts attention, although Tanzania is not among the elite. Volleyball is in the top 10, while hockey is represented by the NHL and European leagues. Esports — League of Legends and Valorant — find an audience among young people.
Virtual Sports and Live Betting
About 100 virtual games run on PM Bet TZ around the clock. Simulations of football matches, horse racing, and 3×3 basketball take place every 2-3 minutes. The results are determined by a random number generator. Virtual sports are popular at night when real events are not taking place.
The Live Betting feature works for football, basketball, tennis and table tennis. The odds change depending on the score. Cash Out allows you to lock in your winnings before the end of the event — you can take 80% of your potential winnings or take a risk and wait for the final.
Overall Picture
PMBet Tanzania reflects the country’s sporting preferences. Football accounts for 60-70% of bets — this is part of the culture following Mbwana Samatta’s success in Europe. The Vodacom Premier League, with its Simba-Yanga derby, creates tension that translates into high-odds bets.
Athletics has a special place thanks to Filbert Bayi and other legends. Cricket in Zanzibar, boxing with Hassan Mwakinyo, basketball via the NBA — all this creates diversity for different categories of players. PMBet TZ covers more than 30 disciplines, but the distribution is uneven: football dominates, basketball and cricket occupy middle positions, and the rest remain niche.