All is set for H-Metro national responsible betting forum

Tamuka Mukiwa

The H-Metro national responsible betting forum set for this Saturday at Alex Sports Club, is expected to provide a platform to foster a unified approach among stakeholders in the “gambling ecosystem” to confront complicated issues characterising the burgeoning gaming landscape.

Running under the theme: Collaborate, Regulate and Rehabilitate, the forum is supported by the Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Ministry.

Government officials, industry leaders, regulators and civil society groups among others are expected to discuss pertinent issues within the sector.

The forum comes amid rapid transformation taking place within the betting landscape.

Topics expected to be under discussion at the forum include policy around betting, regulatory challenges, gambling harm and drug and substance abuse, its socio-economic impact and the future of gaming in Africa.

Regulatory body, Lotteries and Gaming Board (LGB), noted that interventions as this event were conducive to foster collectivity, unity of purpose and bridging of the gap between stakeholders involved.

LGB chief executive officer, Dr Misheck Chingozha, highlighted his hopes of the forum dissecting the role of operators to promote rehabilitation of gambling victims as well as how the media can report responsibly on the issue.

“It is my fervent hope that this forum will look at how players can be encouraged to exercise restraint, what the regulator can do to improve the regulation of the industry and when these issues are religiously followed through, this will create a sustainable gaming environment,” he Chingozha.

The LGB was created by Section 3 of the Lotteries and Gaming Act, Chapter 10;26. Its’ functions include regulating and controlling the development and operations of lotteries and gaming activities.

The board also grants, renews, transfer and terminate licenses as well as ensure that the licencees comply with the conditions of their licenses.

Apart from the LGB, other stakeholders who have come on board to sponsor this noble cause include Africabet, MWOS, Bola Bets, the Zimbabwe Bookmakers Association and Paynow.