Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe’s gaming regulator is stepping up its fight against illegal gambling while modernizing oversight of the country’s gaming sector, after recording ZiG47.97 million (US$1.89 million) in revenue and an operational surplus of ZiG2.48 million (US$97,800) in 2025.
The figures were disclosed by the Lotteries and Gaming Board at its Fifth Annual General Meeting in Harare on August 4, where the regulator outlined a series of enforcement, governance and technology measures aimed at strengthening the sector.
Rather than indicating financial losses, the Board’s operational surplus shows that it remained financially positive during the year. However, the regulator is moving to address illegal gambling and strengthen oversight as concerns grow over unlicensed operations and the changing nature of the gaming market.
As part of its enforcement efforts, the Board worked with law enforcement agencies to target illegal gambling operations during 2025.
The joint operations resulted in 29 arrests and the seizure of 94 illegal gaming machines, which were subsequently destroyed following a court order.
The crackdown forms part of broader efforts to ensure that gambling activities are conducted within Zimbabwe’s regulatory framework and that licensed operators are not competing against unregulated businesses.
The regulator also recorded significant institutional changes during the year.
Board Chairperson Eugenia Chidhakwa said the organisation achieved full compliance with corporate governance requirements, appointed a substantive chief executive and established seven committees.
Chief Executive Godfrey Mutobaya also confirmed that the Board recruited 10 additional employees across compliance, finance, procurement and human resources.
Technology is expected to play a bigger role in Zimbabwe’s regulatory strategy.
Chidhakwa said the Board plans to introduce a real-time Gaming Management System designed to strengthen monitoring of operators and improve the accuracy and visibility of revenue reporting.
The planned system could give the regulator greater insight into gambling activity while supporting stronger compliance across the sector.
Zimbabwe is also preparing to modernise its legal framework, with the government processing amendments to the Lotteries and Gaming Act.
The proposed reforms come amid concerns surrounding illegal online gambling and gambling-related harm, particularly among young people. Chidhakwa said stronger technological controls and collaboration with relevant stakeholders would be important in tackling these challenges.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe, who addressed the Annual General Meeting, urged operators to comply with existing laws and place consumer protection at the centre of their operations.
He warned that illegal gambling could undermine state revenue and expose consumers to exploitation, while calling for stronger responsible-gambling measures to protect vulnerable players.
With stronger enforcement, planned technological upgrades and amendments to the gambling law on the horizon, Zimbabwe appears to be entering a new phase of regulatory reform aimed at creating a more transparent, accountable and better-monitored gaming sector.
