It was a scorcher in Dar, and not just because of the weather.
On May 6, the basketball court at the heart of the city was alive with more than just crossovers and fast breaks. There was movement off the court too, a movement that had nothing to do with points and everything to do with progress.

betPawa officially launched the Locker Room Bonus (LRB) in partnership with the Basketball Dar es Salaam League (BDL) marking the first time this bonus model is being implemented in the league, and the second time betPawa is backing basketball in Tanzania following its 2024 partnership with the national federation.

What does LRB look like for DBL?
For every game won in the BDL, men’s or women’s, each member of the match day squad (12 players and 4 technical staff) receives TZS 88,750, bringing the team total to TZS 1,420,000 per victory. No bonuses are awarded for draws because the Locker Room Bonus is about rewarding performance, not just participation.

That cash doesn’t pass through five offices before it arrives. It lands directly in players’ mobile wallets, instantly. During the demo match at the launch event, winners received TZS 26,000 on the spot to demonstrate the system in action.
"For too long, our athletes’ triumphs haven’t been tangible gains. Today, that changes, TZS 88,750 per win is more than money-it’s dignity, motivation, and a step toward professionalizing basketball. It’s a testament to what happens when regulators and responsible operators collaborate." Jehud Ngolo, Deputy Director, Gaming Board of Tanzania

Equity on full display
There’s something almost radical about doing something so simple: paying people fairly and doing it quickly. But in a space where athletes, especially female athletes, have long trained, played, and won without guarantees, Locker Room Bonus feels like a quiet revolution.
Raquel Puig, betPawa’s Head of CSR & Sports Development, captured it best during her remarks at the launch:
“Equity in sport isn’t just about visibility, it’s about value. It’s about making sure women and men receive the same recognition for the same wins. With Locker Room Bonus, we’re not just leveling the playing field. We’re paying it equally.”
The commitment doesn’t end on match day either. At the end of the BDL season, TZS 14,000,000 will be awarded in MVP bonuses and team prizes for both the men’s and women’s competitions.

The bigger picture
Behind the scenes, this launch is part of something much broader. Since 2022, betPawa has been rolling out the Locker Room Bonus across multiple African countries, including Ghana, Rwanda, Uganda, Malawi, Kenya and now deepening its roots in Tanzania.
But what made this Dar es Salaam launch particularly special was its tone. It didn’t feel like a top-down announcement. It felt like a shared promise, one that connected players, coaches, federation leaders, and fans alike.

It felt like a moment where basketball, often underfunded and underestimated, was finally being handed structured support.