Zimbabwean authorities are ramping up enforcement against illegal casinos and unlicensed betting platforms, seeking to shield the licensed market from unfair competition. The problem has moved well beyond an industry dispute: according to government estimates, shadow operators undermine budget revenue, erode public trust in the regulatory system and create fertile ground for financial misconduct.
In Harare, authorities convened the industry to curb illegal operators
The latest push was prompted by a meeting organised by the Lotteries and Gaming Board of Zimbabwe (Lotteries and Gaming Board, LGB) in the country’s capital. Representatives of the industry, government agencies and law-enforcement bodies were invited to Harare. The agenda boiled down to one question: how, through joint efforts, to clamp down on the activities of unlicensed operators, whose number has grown noticeably in recent years.
The format of the event underscores the campaign’s inter-agency nature. Several key bodies are involved at once:
- the Lotteries and Gaming Board as the sector regulator,
- the Office of the President and Cabinet, including the Corporate Governance Unit,
- the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage,
- the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
Such a coordinated effort makes it possible to deploy the full range of enforcement tools: from licensing oversight and audits to on-the-ground raids and criminal prosecution.
Why the shadow market has become a government concern
Unlicensed platforms create a distorted reflection of the legal industry. They operate without tax obligations, without player-protection standards and with no reporting or accountability whatsoever. This distorts the competitive playing field, as licensed operators are forced to compete with those who do not face comparable costs. At the same time, the state’s oversight capacity suffers: the more the market shifts underground, the harder it is for the regulator to control a sector that is considered a significant source of government revenue.
Zimbabwe has a large number of gambling platforms that hold offshore/international licences rather than local ones. This means they can operate both in Zimbabwe and elsewhere in Africa, as well as in Colombia, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and virtually any other part of the world.
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We decided to clarify this issue and contacted experts from several industry websites. In particular, we check site listing online casinos offering free cash. This resource was selected from the top search results thanks to an extensive list of online casinos, which features many major platforms. The authors of this site confirmed to us that these casinos are available in Zimbabwe. However, from a legal standpoint they are in a legal “grey” area, meaning the state receives no tax revenue from them.
Working with police and engaging the industry
LGB Chairperson Evgenia Chidhakwa stated directly that the scale of illegal activity had forced the regulator to change its approach. “We realised that many entities are operating illegally, so we are now working closely with the Zimbabwe Republic Police to clamp down on such activity. In parallel, we hold meetings with stakeholders where the parties share knowledge,” Chidhakwa noted (as quoted by Bulawayo24).
However, law-enforcement action against illegal operators is only one facet of a broader task. The state is linking the crackdown on shadow operators to promoting responsible gambling, reducing social harm and minimising financial threats.
Balancing interests, addiction and money laundering
Allan Choruma, Permanent Secretary of the Corporate Governance Unit in the Office of the President, stressed that regulation cannot be reduced to issuing licences. “We advocate responsible gambling. We also pay attention to operators’ financial metrics and service quality. The public interest requires a balance between the needs of business and the needs of people. We are equally concerned about preventing money laundering and tackling gambling addiction,” Choruma said.
The regulator’s mandate and governance standards
Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Kazembe Kazembe addressed the Board directly, reminding it of the scale of the responsibility entrusted to it. “You have been entrusted with a critical mandate: to regulate and oversee the gambling industry, protect the public interest and ensure that revenues are channelled into national development. You are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, discipline and patriotism,” Kazembe said.
What this means in practice
The stated measures add up to a clear picture: legal operators can expect a more predictable operating environment, while illegal outlets will face intensified inspections and swift police action. Greater regulatory clarity increases the appeal of the licensed segment for investors and strengthens the position of compliant operators.
Four outcomes the authorities are seeking
Overall, the inter-agency campaign is aimed at achieving four key outcomes:
- protecting consumers from fraud and unfair practices,
- curbing financial crimes, including money laundering,
- promoting responsible gambling and reducing addiction risks,
- preserving a sustainable contribution from the sector to the national economy through the licensed market.
The gambling sector remains in the focus of government attention precisely because it is seen as a major source of government revenue, and its sustainability depends directly on public trust in the licensed segment.
