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Lawmakers in Zimbabwe want to double the levy on licensed bookmakers, raising it from 2 percent to at least 4 percent. The proposal is aimed at giving the Lotteries and Gaming Board more resources to support clinics, schools, training centres, and other public projects.
The recommendation came after Parliament reviewed LGB-funded work in districts such as Mutasa, Gutu, Zaka, Lupane, and Kadoma. Legislators noted that revenue from regulated gaming has already helped improve access to healthcare and education in underserved areas.
“The committee recommended that the levy collected from licensed bookmakers be increased from 2 per cent to at least 4 per cent to strengthen the Board’s resource base,” the report said, according to NewsDay.
Currently, bookmakers pay a 2% levy, with 1.8% of that directed to community projects. This contribution is separate from gambling taxes and operator obligations. Parliament stressed that the board has moved beyond regulation alone, now helping reduce long travel distances for patients, improving school enrolment, and expanding maternal healthcare.
“The interventions by the LGB have significantly improved service delivery in previously underserved communities,” the committee added.
Wider tax reform in Zimbabwe
The proposed increase follows Zimbabwe’s wider gambling tax reform that took effect in January 2026, which raised bookmaker tax from 3% to 20% and increased tax on bettors’ winnings from 10% to 25%.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube announced the reforms during the 2026 National Budget presentation in Harare last year, noting that the new bookmaker tax would act as a final tax. This means betting companies, lotteries, and casino operators will no longer pay Corporate Income Tax.
“The tax hike is meant to enhance fairness and ensure that the beneficiaries of the sector’s growth also contribute meaningfully to public revenue. The new rate applies to all licensed betting companies, lotteries and casino operators, representing a 17‑percentage‑point increase,” Ncube said at the time.
The changes come as betting continues to expand rapidly in Zimbabwe. In 2023, the industry generated about $120 million, with online platforms contributing $45 million. By 2024, more than 300,000 people were active online bettors, most between 18 and 35 years old.
This group drove annual growth of nearly 10%, making online betting the fastest‑growing segment and showing how quickly consumer habits are shifting toward digital play.
