Zimbabwe introduces 10% tax on sports betting winnings in 2025 Budget

The Government of Zimbabwe has announced a new 10% tax on gross winnings from sports betting, as part of its efforts to regulate the thriving gambling sector. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube introduced this proposal during the presentation of the 2025 National Budget in Parliament. The tax is set to take effect on January 1, 2025, and will apply to both in-house and online sports betting managed by land-based bookmakers. Bookmakers will be required to withhold this tax on behalf of the government.

While some economists have praised the introduction of the sports betting tax as a necessary step for revenue generation, concerns have been raised about its potential impact on participation in betting activities.  Stakeholders in the industry worry that this tax could discourage punters and lead them to unregulated platforms. 

Sports betting in Zimbabwe is regulated by the Lotteries and Gaming Board (LGB) under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage. The industry operates under the Lotteries and Gaming Act (Chapter 10:26), which provides the legal framework for gambling activities, including sports betting.