EDITORIAL : GAMBLERS SHOULD KNOW WHEN TO STOP

ON Saturday, H-Metro hosted the inaugural National Forum on Responsible Betting at Alex Sports Club in the capital.

It attracted a full house and, for that, we are very grateful.

It also provided a stage for some frank discussions with national police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, revealing that police officers in uniform are NOT allowed to get into betting shops and gamble on either sports events or try their luck at casinos in this country.

We held the conference in conjunction with the Lotteries and Gaming Board, the principal authority in the industry, the Government and various arms of this industry, which has been enjoying phenomenal growth in this country.

The overriding message from the conference was a call for punters to gamble responsibly to avoid negative consequences, including being jailed for abusing funds which belonged to other parties, including employers.

During the discussions, stakeholders agreed that the industry has taken the country by storm and it has created many job opportunities but there was a need to regulate and protect the gamblers.

It was also agreed that there was a need to monitor the sector for public safety, ethical standards and adherence to national values.

Chairperson of the Lotteries and Gaming Board, Dr Eugenia Chidhakwa, said the gaming industry in Zimbabwe was experiencing significant growth.

She said the regulatory framework provides a solid foundation for the industry’s development, emphasising player protection and responsible gaming practices.

She said as the industry continues to expand, it was vital to address challenges and seize opportunities to promote a vibrant and sustainable gaming ecosystem in Zimbabwe.

Dr Chidhakwa said there were ongoing efforts to update and enhance the regulatory framework that will ensure the industry operates in a fair and responsible manner.

Lotteries and Gaming Board CEO, Dr Misheck Chingozha, said the view that gambling is evil is fast disappearing, and all and sundry are embracing the view that it is a lucrative industry.

The clear message from the conference was that gambling was not an evil industry and those who take part in it have an obligation not to use funds, which they do not have, or funds, which are needed elsewhere in taking care of their families, to gamble.

The punters have to be responsible.

They should know that there are huge risks involved and there is a very good chance that their investment will nor reap the dividends they are looking for.

The responsibility starts with the punter.There was also lively engagement on the need for the betting houses to also have safety checks which protects the punters.

Betting has created many jobs in this country and it’s a thriving industry and it can’t be stopped simply because some people have lost money where they were trying to win.

What is needed is to empower the punters with knowledge so that they know when to stop.

After all, even taking alcohol is a risk and one should know when to stop.

What is clear is that more engagements, like the one we had on Saturday, are needed all over the country.