Zimbabwe’s gaming regulator steps up responsible gambling campaign with outreach in Mutare and Marondera

Zimbabwe’s Lotteries and Gaming Board has intensified its responsible gambling campaign by taking its message directly to betting outlets in Mutare and Marondera, as the regulator responds to growing concern over harmful betting behaviour and pressure on household finances.

Acting on behalf of chief executive Godfrey Mutobeya, a team led by acting compliance manager Misheck Chingozha visited betting outlets in the two cities and urged punters to treat gambling as entertainment rather than a source of income. During the engagement, players were told to set spending limits, avoid chasing losses and recognise early signs of harmful behaviour.

The visits came against a backdrop of rising concern that some gamblers are diverting money meant for rent, school fees and even funeral expenses into betting. Local coverage of the campaign says the board is trying to move beyond passive regulation and into direct public engagement, with a stronger emphasis on awareness, prevention and practical support for those already at risk.

The campaign is also aimed at operators, not just customers. Chingozha called on licensed betting businesses to strengthen Know Your Customer processes so they can track behaviour patterns more effectively, spot signs of gambling harm earlier and support exclusion or intervention measures where needed. That approach is consistent with the board’s wider policy stance: its website says gambling should be a form of entertainment, not a way to make money, while its client service charter states that responsible gaming messages should be mandatory across all lotteries and gaming sites.

The significance of the Mutare and Marondera visits lies in what they say about Zimbabwe’s regulatory direction. The Lotteries and Gaming Board describes itself as a statutory regulator established under the Lotteries and Gaming Act, with a mandate to regulate gambling activity, ensure licensee compliance and maintain a safe gaming environment. By taking responsible gambling messaging directly into betting outlets, the board appears to be signalling that player protection is becoming a more visible and active part of Zimbabwe’s gambling oversight rather than a secondary compliance slogan.