Zimbabwe launches social media skit challenge to promote responsible gambling

Zimbabwe’s Lotteries and Gaming Board has partnered with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe to launch a short-form video competition encouraging creators to promote responsible gambling, with a US$1,000 prize for the entry generating the strongest audience engagement.

Zimbabwe’s Lotteries and Gaming Board has joined forces with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) to launch the Responsible Gambling Skit Challenge, using social media and creative storytelling to raise awareness of safer gambling behaviour. The campaign is built around the message “Responsible Gambling – Know When to Stop!” and targets Zimbabwe’s growing community of digital content creators.

Participants are being asked to create videos lasting between one and two minutes that communicate the importance of gambling responsibly. Organisers are encouraging creators to use humour, drama and relatable everyday situations rather than relying on conventional regulatory messaging.

To enter, creators must publish their skits on Facebook, tag the National Arts Council and the Lotteries and Gaming Board, and include the hashtag #ResponsibleGambling2026. Entries close on August 31, 2026, while the creator whose video records the highest level of views and engagement will receive a US$1,000 prize.

The campaign is intended to reinforce several basic responsible-gambling principles, including setting limits, recognising when to stop and treating gambling as entertainment rather than a reliable source of income. Authorities have also warned against using money required for essential household expenses or attempting to recover previous losses through further gambling.

The initiative builds on broader responsible-gambling outreach undertaken by the Lotteries and Gaming Board. In April, officials visited gambling outlets in Mutare and Marondera after concerns were raised about money intended for rent, school fees and other household needs being diverted towards betting. During those visits, the regulator stressed the importance of spending limits and avoiding gambling as a response to financial difficulties.

The partnership also expands an existing relationship between the gaming regulator and Zimbabwe’s arts sector. NACZ and the Lotteries and Gaming Board have previously cooperated on creative-industry initiatives, including support for short-film productions, making the new challenge another example of public messaging being delivered through local artists and storytellers.

By moving responsible-gambling education into short-form social media content, Zimbabwe’s regulator is attempting to reach audiences that may be less responsive to traditional public-awareness campaigns. The impact will ultimately depend on the reach and quality of the submitted content, but the initiative shows a broader shift towards combining regulation, player protection and digital communication rather than relying solely on enforcement.