daniel chigunweLike in many other countries, people in Zimbabwe like to lay a wager. Gambling became legal in the country since 1996 but the Lotteries and Gaming Act didn’t become introduced to the public until 2000, which was when citizens could truly gamble without fear of the legal repercussions.
Unfortunately, Zimbabwe has faced a number of challenges in recent years, such as high inflation, a low level of foreign investment and a shortage of foreign currency. In this tough economic climate, however, the gambling industry itself has thrived and even supported the economy. Below is a look at the role of casinos in the Zimbabwean economy.
Bringing in the tax dollars
Casinos and other gambling service operators in Zimbabwe, who are regulated by the nation’s Lotteries and Gaming Board, must pay tax. This fattens up the government’s coffers by millions. Operators wishing to run their services in the country must pay for a licence, which, unluckily for them, costs time and money.
Note that playing at an online casino in Zimbabwe is a somewhat grey area, as it’s not currently regulated. International operators have access to Zimbabwe, but players in the country play at their own risk. However, there have been discussions around fully legalising online gaming because the government recognises the potential of this gaming activity to aid the growth of the economy.
Operators aren’t the only people who must make a payment to the state when it comes to gambling. Like in several other countries in Africa, lucky punters who experience a win must share the gains from their gambling with the government. Depending on how big their prize is, they must pay the government a cut of between 10 and 15% of their winnings.
Creating jobs
In a country where the economy struggles, anything that creates jobs is welcoming. Casinos are one of those things, and the majority of the casinos are in the capital, Harare. Visitors will find the rest of the country’s casinos in the smaller towns or cities of Zimbabwe. Often, casinos are housed within hotels or resorts, so as well as exploring the delights of the country, guests have an additional source of entertainment, not to mention the chance to win a little extra spending money (or a lot) during their stay.
When it comes to creating jobs and career opportunities, casinos do it in impressive style because they require so many different types of professional. Security staff, admin staff, croupiers and catering staff are just some of the professionals a casino needs to operate safely and successfully.
Not only this, but Zimbabwean casinos offer the people they employ career progression. For instance, people who begin at entry level working for the casino, such as servers or dealers, can work their way up the ladder into roles with higher pay and more responsibilities. Dealers, for instance, can go on to become pit bosses or casino managers.
If Zimbabwe opens itself up to online casino gaming, the country could create even more jobs for its citizens. Online casino operators need the help of specialists in marketing, IT, customer service and more to help them conduct successful casino operation. The growth of online casino gaming and other types of internet gaming also create jobs in infrastructure development, such as internet connectivity and mobile payment systems.
Promoting tourism
When it comes to entertainments in Zimbabwe, tourism is the country’s largest industry. The casino industry has played a large helping hand in this.
If you happen to venture into the capital, you can play at Zimbabwe’s biggest casino, which is nestled in a five-star hotel. The establishment caters to both locals and to tourists who find themselves in the capital and looking for a glamorous way to spend the evening while in Harare. Should you be making your way to the popular Victoria Falls, another major tourist destination in Zimbabwe, the casino in one of the nearby hotels also receives a lot of interest from tourists.
Hotels, lodges and some other forms of accommodation in the country tend to cater for affluent tourists. Playing at a casino is a glamorous experience, one that is likely to be affordable for tourists with large incomes. If not that, then one that they might like to try. Some tourists even visit Zimbabwe or other countries specifically for the casinos, either because love gaming or because it’s not something they get to do legally in their own countries.
Zimbabwe has a good relationship with casinos, although the government is yet to embrace online casino gaming fully. Given how receptive it has already been to casinos and aware of the potential of online gaming to generate much-needed revenue for the nation, it may not be long before online casinos also get the unequivocal go-ahead from the authorities.
Online Reporter