Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Mutare Bureau
THE gaming and lotteries industry should be tightly monitored to weed out illegal players bent on fleecing the public and evading payment of statutory obligations, which are key for national economic growth, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe has said.
He made the remarks at a strategic planning workshop of the Lotteries and Gaming Board held in Nyanga yesterday, where he was represented by his deputy, Chido Sanyatwe.
Minister Kazembe said the lotteries and gaming industry, which has been on a phenomenal rise in the last few years, should not only be profitable, but also observe strict tenets of ethics, transparency and be aligned with national development targets.
“Let me be unequivocal that illegal gaming will not be tolerated as it undermines the credibility of the industry, deprives the nation of revenue and exposes vulnerable citizens to exploitation,” he said.
“As a board, you must strengthen your enforcement agencies and deploy modern monitoring tools to detect and dismantle illegal operations.
“This is not merely a regulatory obligation; it is a moral duty to protect the public and uphold responsible gaming practices as well as the principle of integrity.
“I direct the board to prioritise institutional modernisation by adopting digital systems for licensing, monitoring and reporting frameworks.”
Minister Kazembe said the workshop must be a turning point in the governance of lotteries and gaming in Zimbabwe.
He said outcomes of the workshop should reflect unity of purpose, foresight and commitment to national integrity.
“In doing so, the Lotteries and Gaming Board shall contribute directly to the realisation of Vision 2030, ensuring that the gaming industry is not only profitable, but also ethical, transparent and aligned with our national development agenda.
“Together, let us build a gaming sector that strengthens public trust, supports economic growth and upholds the values of accountability and integrity for generations to come,” said Minister Kazembe.
Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Mr Aaron Nhepera, said for the Lotteries and Gaming Board to maintain integrity in the sector, there is need for stronger enforcement and legislative reform to match international standards.
“The gaming industry is a vital contributor to national revenue and community development, yet it faces challenges that demand foresight and decisive action. The proliferation of illegal operators threatens the integrity of the sector, undermines fair competition, and erodes public trust.
