Zimbabwe tightens grip on illegal gambling

ZIMBABWE'S gaming industry is undergoing sweeping reforms as Government and the Lotteries and Gaming Board strengthen regulation, intensify enforcement against illegal gambling and modernise oversight through digital systems aimed at improving transparency, consumer protection and sustainable economic growth.

Addressing the Fifth Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Lotteries and Gaming Board in Harare on Tuesday, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe challenged gaming operators to embrace professionalism, ethical conduct and full compliance with the country's laws.

He described the gaming industry as an important contributor to Zimbabwe's economy but stressed that its continued growth depended on integrity, accountability and responsible regulation.

"Compliance is not optional. It is both a legal and moral obligation," Kazembe said.

The minister warned that illegal gambling undermines public confidence, deprives the State of revenue and exposes citizens to exploitation. He urged operators to place consumer welfare at the centre of their business models by promoting responsible gaming and safeguarding vulnerable groups from gambling-related harm.

Lotteries and Gaming Board chairperson Dr Eugenia Chidhakwa said 2025 had marked a period of institutional consolidation, with the Board strengthening its governance systems in line with the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act while reinforcing transparency, accountability and strategic oversight.

She said the Board had achieved full compliance with corporate governance requirements, appointed a substantive chief executive officer and strengthened its governance framework through seven board committees responsible for oversight and policy implementation.

"The board remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard integrity, inspire trust and contribute meaningfully to national socio-economic development," Chidhakwa said.

She revealed that Government is processing amendments to the Lotteries and Gaming Act to modernise the legal framework and improve regulatory efficiency as the gaming industry continues to evolve.

Chidhakwa also announced plans to introduce a real-time Gaming Management System, which will strengthen monitoring of gaming activities, improve revenue accountability and enhance oversight of licensed operators.

She expressed concern over the rapid growth of illegal online gambling and increasing gambling addiction, particularly among young people, saying the Board was pursuing stronger technological controls and closer collaboration with stakeholders to address the emerging risks.

Chief executive officer Godfrey Mutobaya said institutional strengthening remained a major priority during 2025 following his substantive appointment and the recruitment of ten additional officers across the compliance, finance, procurement and human resources departments.

He said nationwide compliance operations conducted jointly with law enforcement agencies resulted in the arrest of 29 people and the confiscation of 94 illegal gaming machines, which were later destroyed under a court order.

Mutobaya reported that the Board generated total revenue of ZiG47.97 million during 2025 and recorded an operational surplus of ZiG2.48 million, while maintaining a positive net asset position of ZiG4.07 million.

Beyond its regulatory mandate, he said the Board continued to finance community development projects in education, heritage conservation and social infrastructure in fulfilment of its statutory obligations. Among the projects completed during the year were classroom blocks, vocational training facilities and infrastructure improvements at heritage sites.

The AGM reaffirmed the Board's commitment to strengthening compliance systems, expanding digital regulation, enhancing stakeholder engagement and promoting responsible gaming as Zimbabwe modernises its rapidly expanding gaming industry.

The meeting also underscored Government's determination to tighten compliance across the sector, advance amendments to the Lotteries and Gaming Act, accelerate the rollout of the real-time Gaming Management System, intensify the crackdown on illegal gambling and strengthen measures to protect young people from gambling addiction while ensuring the industry contributes meaningfully to national economic development.