By Dickson Bandera
The Government has issued a stern warning to gaming operators, announcing tougher enforcement measures aimed at curbing illegal gambling activities and strengthening responsible gaming practices across Zimbabwe.
Addressing the Lotteries and Gaming Board Annual General Meeting in Harare on Friday, Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Hon. Kazembe Kazembe — represented by Deputy Minister Chido Sanyatwe — said the gaming sector must adhere to strict ethical and legal standards to safeguard public welfare.
“Gaming must never be permitted to degenerate into a source of social harm,” the Minister said. “The Board, operators, and civic organisations are therefore urged to strengthen responsible gaming practices as a matter of duty and conscience.”
He underscored the need for robust safeguards against underage betting, addiction, and financial distress, urging operators to develop early-warning systems to protect vulnerable players. Profitability, he cautioned, “cannot be pursued at the expense of social wellbeing.”
The Minister also said consumer protection must be at the heart of industry integrity.
“The regulator must enforce these standards firmly, ensuring that the industry thrives within the boundaries of responsibility, dignity, and public trust.”
Issuing one of the strongest declarations of his address, the Minister vowed a nationwide crackdown on illegal gambling operations, warning that such activities compromise the integrity of the sector and undermine national revenue.
“My ministry and all the enforcement machinery will not rest until sanity prevails… We will deal with this situation without fear or favour,” he said.
Government intends to intensify collaboration with law-enforcement agencies, the Financial Intelligence Unit, and the Lotteries and Gaming Board to dismantle illicit operations and tighten anti-money laundering controls.
“Operators are reminded that compliance is not optional — it is a legal and moral obligation and should place consumer welfare at the centre of their business models.”
The Minister noted that the modernization of gaming regulation forms part of broader national development priorities.
“This modernization is not cosmetic; it is structural, designed to embed resilience, transparency, and accountability into every facet of the industry,” he said, adding that Zimbabwe will benchmark its systems against global best practices.
He acknowledged the sector’s contribution to National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), saying the gains in transparency and compliance “provide a solid foundation” as Zimbabwe transitions into NDS2.
Zimbabwe launched NDS2 this week, marking the beginning of the second phase of the national development framework aimed at steering the country toward upper-middle-income status by 2030. The gaming industry is among the economic sectors expected to contribute to the attainment of these targets.
Although financial records presented show the Board is in good standing, the institution has extended its role beyond licensing and regulating gaming. It has invested in corporate social responsibility initiatives that support community development across the country.
“I am aware that you have done well during the year 2024 when you concluded and commissioned Pupu Clinic and Harava Waiting Mothers’ Shelter,” the Minister said. He also commended the rehabilitation of national heritage sites such as Kamungoma, Dzapasi, Butcher Site, and Pupu interactive centres.
He emphasized that the success of the gaming industry relies on shared responsibility among operators, regulators, government agencies, and consumers.
“Operators must embrace compliance not as a burden but as a pathway to sustainability,” he said.
The Minister reaffirmed Government’s support for the Lotteries and Gaming Board.
“Together, let us ensure that gaming in Zimbabwe is not only a source of entertainment, but also a pillar of national development, governance excellence, and social responsibility.”
He further encouraged international investors to enter the sector only if prepared to operate within Zimbabwe’s legal framework, calling for growth that is both profitable and socially responsible.
