Zimbabwe Lotteries and Gaming Board steps up industry outreach at Agricultural Show

Zimbabwe’s Lotteries and Gaming Board used the 2026 Zimbabwe Agricultural Show in Harare to engage consumers and industry stakeholders, explain its regulatory mandate and promote responsible gambling alongside stronger awareness of unlicensed activity.

Zimbabwe’s Lotteries and Gaming Board (LGB) increased its public and industry outreach during the 2026 Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, held from August 24 to 29 at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society Showgrounds in Harare. The regulator used the event as a platform to meet stakeholders, explain its role in overseeing lotteries and gaming and strengthen awareness of responsible gambling.

The Board’s delegation was led by chairman Dr Eugenia Chidhakwa and included chief executive Godfrey Mutobaya, vice chairman Costain Sabao and board member Fredson Mabhena, who chairs the Legal and Compliance Committee. The group toured the LGB stand and engaged directly with visitors during the exhibition.

The regulator promoted the campaign “Come Meet the People Behind Responsible Gaming”, using its stand to discuss both the potential benefits and risks associated with gambling. Visitors were encouraged to learn more about responsible play, the protection of individuals and families and the importance of recognising when gambling activity may become harmful.

The LGB also used the Agricultural Show to raise awareness of unlicensed gambling operators. Members of the public were encouraged to understand the difference between regulated and unauthorised activity and to report businesses operating outside the legal framework. The Board framed consumer awareness as an important part of building a safer gaming environment rather than relying solely on inspections and enforcement.

The outreach reflects the regulator’s broader statutory responsibilities. The LGB oversees the development and operation of lotteries and gaming in Zimbabwe and is responsible for granting, renewing, transferring and terminating relevant licences. Its presence at a major national business exhibition therefore also gives operators and other companies an opportunity to better understand licensing and compliance expectations.

The 116th Zimbabwe Agricultural Show was held under the theme “Powering Growth: Where Agriculture, Technology and Commerce Converge.” The event attracted more than 600 exhibitors, with local reporting putting the total at 640, up from 613 in 2025. The official programme combined commercial exhibitions with conferences, technology showcases and policy engagement across six days.

For the LGB, participation at the Agricultural Show represents a shift toward more visible and direct engagement with both consumers and regulated businesses. By combining responsible-gambling education, licensing awareness and information on illegal operators, the regulator is seeking to strengthen understanding of the rules governing Zimbabwe’s gaming market while keeping player protection at the centre of its public message.