Zimbabwe steps up crackdown on illegal gambling to protect licensed operators

Authorities say unlicensed casinos and betting shops are distorting competition, weakening oversight and raising money-laundering and consumer-harm risks as enforcement expands with police support.

Zimbabwe has intensified action against illegal gambling operations, with government and regulators warning that the growth of unlicensed casinos and betting outlets threatens the long-term health of the regulated market.

The Lotteries and Gaming Board (LGB) recently convened stakeholders in Harare to align on enforcement priorities, with LGB chairperson Eugenia Chidhakwa saying the regulator is working with the Zimbabwe Republic Police and industry stakeholders to curb illegal activity and improve compliance awareness.

Senior government officials framed the issue as both a governance and public-interest challenge. The Office of the President and Cabinet’s Corporate Governance Unit highlighted responsible gambling, financial performance and service delivery, while also flagging money-laundering prevention and addiction risks as key concerns.

Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe, cited in the same stakeholder discussions, urged the regulator to uphold strict integrity and governance standards and to ensure the sector’s revenues support national development goals.

For licensed operators, the message is clear: Zimbabwe is moving toward more coordinated, multi-agency enforcement, and unlicensed competitors are increasingly being treated as a direct threat to market sustainability—not just a minor compliance irritant.