As one of the most popular forms of online entertainment, iGaming has rapidly spread across the world. The appeal of this industry and its games crosses languages and borders, even serving as a kind of shared experience through which we can relate to each other. Such a broad spread also includes challenges of licensing and regulation, as a natural part of iGaming which helps keep players and casinos safe.
Each country has its own history with iGaming, based on new and long-standing laws through which casinos and players need to navigate. So, how do these affect Zimbabwe, and what journey have we travelled to reach today?
The Arrival of Online CasinosThe very first online casinos arrived on home computers in 1996. At the time, computers were slow and internet connections were slower, meaning casino games had to be limited in terms of visual and game complexity. They were predominantly built on a software system called Flash which, as Kaspersky explores, is a now-defunct program once used to power most interactive online applications.
Over time, home computers and internet connections growing faster offered more potential for online casinos. The industry expanded, games grew more complex, and more players became aware of what was possible. Already valued at USD 84.79 billion in 2023 according to GlobeNewswire, this market would eventually find significant international success.
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"Laptop money - Credit to http://homedust" (CC BY 2.0) by Homedust
Zimbabwe’s Modern iGaming IndustryZimbabwe’s first laws regulating any form of gambling appeared in 1998. Named the Lotteries and Gaming Act, this set of rules and restrictions laid out a clear framework for what casinos can and can't do, and how players are allowed to engage. It's important to note that this act does not distinguish between physical and online casinos, meaning that the laws regarding gambling should apply equally to both offline and iGaming entertainment.
More specifically, the Lotteries and Gaming Act allows for traditional betting, sports betting, skill games, card games, lotteries, and casinos. This opens up a plethora of famous international iGaming brands, so Zimbabwe players have access to some of the biggest online casinos and game selections in the world.
This selection can be seen in the broad range of new international casinos listed at Casino Alpha. These services welcome players with bonuses like free spins and deposit matches, opening new opportunities for less initial investment. These casinos also adopt the latest in HTML5 technology, so players can access iGaming sites from both mobile and desktop platforms. This review site even helps break down key aspects of the different services like terms and conditions and ratings, further simplifying accessing and playing what’s available.
"Code" (CC BY-SA 2.0) by jcubic
The iGaming industry in Zimbabwe doesn’t often feature websites dedicated only to Zimbabwe players, but it doesn’t need to. The developed international market offers world-class experiences from across the globe, so players never have to miss out on existing titans and promising market newcomers. It’s an exciting time to be an online casino player in Zimbabwe, and as the market continues to expand, we expect further opportunities to be a matter of course.