Zimbabwe’s Lotteries and Gaming Board intensifies player engagement over betting risk
Officials met punters at betting outlets to promote safer play and strengthen awareness around responsible betting behaviour.
Zimbabwe.- The Lotteries and Gaming Board (LGB), the country’s gambling regulator, has intensified its responsible gambling outreach by visiting betting outlets in Mutare and Marondera, where officials engaged directly with punters to emphasise treating betting as entertainment rather than a source of income. Acting compliance manager Misheck Chingozha led the sessions on behalf of chief executive Godfrey Mutobeya, urging players to set spending limits, avoid chasing losses and recognise signs of harmful behaviour.
The visits form part of a wider regulatory push to address reports of people diverting funds intended for rent, school fees and funerals into gambling, amid growing concerns over the sector’s social footprint. Chingozha highlighted that betting should remain recreational, with punters advised not to risk money they cannot afford to lose.
Zimbabwe’s gambling sector is regulated under the Lotteries and Gaming Act, which mandates the board to oversee operations, license operators and ensure compliance across betting activities. As part of that role, the regulator has increasingly adopted public awareness campaigns to balance industry growth with consumer protection.
The campaign also places responsibility on operators. The board has urged licensed companies to strengthen Know Your Customer (KYC) processes to better monitor player behaviour and identify risk patterns. This approach aligns with existing industry practices in Zimbabwe, where operators are expected to integrate responsible gambling policies, prevent underage participation and provide support mechanisms for at-risk users.
