Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere
Senior Reporter
The Government will not tolerate practices that expose the public — especially vulnerable communities and young people — to financial ruin and health dangers, the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Dr Kazembe Kazembe, has said.
Addressing the fifth Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Lotteries and Gaming Board in Harare yesterday, Dr Kazembe said Government expected the gaming industry to hold itself to the highest standards.
This comes amid intensified calls for urgent action to prevent gambling from spiralling into addiction, exploitation and related social harm.
In his address, Dr Kazembe warned that the same behaviours that trap citizens in gambling often pave the way for other forms of substance abuse, including drugs.
He said the Lotteries and Gaming Board, established under the Lotteries and Gaming Act, is the statutory guardian of integrity in the sector — adding that gambling must remain lawful, transparent and conducted in the public interest. While acknowledging that the gaming industry has become important to national development — through revenue generation, employment creation and social investment — he cautioned that the sector’s sustainability depends on maintaining high standards of governance. “It is my singular honour as the Minister who oversees the regulation of the gaming industry to deliver this ministerial statement. At such meetings the entity must strengthen its institutional architecture and ensure that the regulatory framework continues to support operational efficiency and public trust,” said Dr Kazembe.
“Together, let us ensure that gaming in Zimbabwe is not only a source of entertainment but also a pillar of national development, governance excellence and social responsibility.”
He said gaming must never be permitted to degenerate into a source of social harm, and operators must recognise that profitability cannot be pursued at the expense of social well-being.
Dr Kazembe described the AGM as more than a compliance meeting, stressing that it is a “strategic governance milestone” meant to guide the future of Zimbabwe’s regulated gaming sector.
The Minister said the Board, operators and civic organisations must strengthen responsible gaming and consumer safeguards. He said operators should be required to establish clear measures to prevent under-age participation, curb irresponsible conduct and reduce risks of addiction and financial distress.
He also called for “early-warning systems” to protect vulnerable consumers, arguing that consumer protection is the true measure of the industry’s legitimacy.
Beyond regulation, he urged the regulator to work with stakeholders to conduct public awareness campaigns that educate citizens about the dangers of excessive gambling and encourage moderation and responsibility.
Dr Kazembe called for “restraint in issuing new licences” for both casinos and sports betting shops, emphasising that growth must not come at the expense of public safety.
He also addressed the reported rise of illegal gaming operations, telling the AGM that his Ministry and enforcement partners would intensify action.
“In view of the emerging illegal operations in the gaming industry, I want to be categorical in this statement that my Ministry and all the enforcement machinery will not rest until sanity prevails, and compliance is strengthened to deal with this situation without fear or favour,” Dr Kazembe said.
He said illegal gambling undermines the integrity of the sector, deprives Government of revenue and increases citizens’ exposure to exploitation.
While speaking directly on gambling policy, Minister Kazembe made it clear that addiction risks do not remain confined to betting alone. He said gambling-linked addiction can contribute to unstable livelihoods and desperation, creating conditions in which some people — especially those already vulnerable — may fall into other harmful behaviours, including drug and substance abuse.
