Zimbabwe’s betting firms given ultimatum to promote responsible gambling
The directive comes as mobile and online betting continues to expand in Zimbabwe, especially among younger adults.
Zimbabwe.- Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister for Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Chido Sanyatwe, has called on betting firms to implement measures that promote responsible betting habits and protect players from gambling-related harm.
She made the remarks on November 28 at the Zimbabwe Lotteries and Gaming Board’s annual stakeholders’ meeting in Harare, attended by regulators, licensed operators, casino owners and civic groups from across the country.
Sanyatwe said: “Gaming must never be permitted to degenerate into a source of social harm. The board, operators and civic organisations are therefore urged to strengthen responsible gaming practices as a matter of duty and conscience. This includes establishing clear safeguards against underage participation and designing mechanisms to prevent addiction and financial distress.”
The directive comes as mobile and online betting continues to expand in Zimbabwe, especially among younger adults. Critics of gambling expansion argue that betting appeals to economically desperate citizens seeking quick money rather than entertainment, raising questions about whether awareness campaigns can address harm rooted in poverty.
While Zimbabwe does not publish comprehensive gambling addiction statistics, public health officials have documented rising treatment admissions at mental health facilities. Regional data suggests mobile betting expansion correlates with increased problem gambling across Southern Africa.
Commenting on the industry’s efforts, George Nyangolore, Chairman of the Casino Operators Association, said: “We are working in collaboration with authorities to ensure that there’s no money laundering. We don’t normally push for gambling. We push for gaming, which is the entertainment side.”
The Lotteries and Gaming Board has instructed all licensed operators to roll out visible responsible-gambling programmes, including awareness campaigns and self-exclusion options, and to provide progress updates before the next annual meeting in 2026. Operators that fall short face possible fines or licence reviews.
