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Zimbabwe’s government is under fire for what opposition parties call a broken gambling system, one that benefits foreign operators while leaving local workers and communities behind.
Members of parliament and opposition leaders are now demanding tighter regulation and stronger consumer protection, claiming that the country’s existing laws are outdated and easy to exploit.
Opposition calls for a major gambling reform
Every debate begins with a question, who is really being protected?
The discussion began when Rise Mzansi, a parliamentary member, raised concerns in the National Assembly about the lack of effective oversight in the gambling sector.
Mzansi proposed seven key reforms, focusing on safeguarding vulnerable groups from online gambling harms and addressing weak enforcement across the industry.
Currently, Zimbabwe’s political parties are divided on how far reform should go. The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party wants a total ban on gambling advertising, while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) support a more targeted approach, banning sports sponsorships by gambling companies.
However, the EFF has accused other parties of accepting donations from online gambling operators, claiming that much of this money is being sent offshore instead of benefiting Zimbabwean communities.
Sponsorship and exploitation under scrutiny
Money and morality rarely mix easily in gambling politics.
EFF member Sinawo Thambo argued that gambling sponsorships exploit the country’s most popular sport, football.
Thambo said:
“The fact that our football is sponsored by gambling companies is a national shame. They do not sponsor cricket, rugby or swimming—only the sport of the poor where suffering can be monetised.”
His words struck a chord with many Zimbabweans, who see gambling ads as increasingly visible across lower-income neighbourhoods and football broadcasts.
Meanwhile, MK party member Visven Reddy turned attention to the people working behind the scenes. Reddy said:
“They are the backbone of the industry, but they remain the bottom while foreign owners live in luxury abroad. That is modern slavery wearing a suit and a tie.”
Both MPs are now pushing for labour protections and ethical advertising standards, arguing that the current system rewards profits over people.
Government faces growing calls for action
Public frustration has started turning into political pressure.
Opposition parties are urging the government to introduce new regulations that limit offshore ownership, strengthen licensing standards, and improve worker rights in casinos and betting shops.
Earlier this year, Zimbabwe’s government took small steps by banning police officers from entering betting shops in uniform, a move meant to protect the image of law enforcement amid growing scrutiny of gambling behaviour.
But critics say symbolic changes are not enough. They argue that without a clear framework for monitoring online gambling, enforcing advertising limits, and ensuring fair taxation, the industry will continue operating in legal grey areas.
Regional trend toward tighter controls
Across Africa, governments are tightening their grip on gambling regulation.
In Kenya, the Betting Control and Licensing Board recently banned celebrities and influencers from gambling advertisements, aiming to reduce youth exposure. Similar discussions are now underway in South Africa and Nigeria.
For Zimbabwe, the debate goes beyond gambling itself. It’s about where the money flows, who gets protected, and who gets left behind.
As pressure mounts, the government faces a choice: keep patching an outdated system, or design a modern framework that balances economic opportunity with accountability.
In a country where gambling often represents both hope and hardship, can regulation finally deliver fairness, or will old habits continue to win out?
Source: Gambling Insider
