Online Reporter
Tamuka Mukiwa
THE H-Metro national responsible betting forum set for today at Alex Sports Club in Harare is expected to provide a platform to foster a unified approach among stakeholders in the “gambling ecosystem” and confront complicated issues characterising the burgeoning gaming landscape.
Running under the theme: “Collaborate, Regulate and Rehabilitate”, the forum is supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage.
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 discussed at 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 were conducive to foster collectivity, unity of purpose and bridging of the gap between stakeholders involved.
LGB chief executive, 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,” Dr Chingozha said.
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 licences as well as ensure that the licencees comply with the conditions of their licences.
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.
