Online Reporter
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
IN a bid to strengthen responsible gambling practices across Zimbabwe, the Lotteries and Gaming Board has intensified its outreach efforts, taking its message directly to punters in major urban centres.
Acting on behalf of chief executive officer, Godfrey Mutobeya, a team led by acting compliance manager, Misheck Chingozha, recently toured gambling outlets in Mutare and Marondera, delivering a firm reminder of the need for discipline and self control in gaming activities.
The initiative comes against the backdrop of growing concern over the misuse of household funds by some gamblers.
Reports suggest that money earmarked for critical obligations such as rent, school fees, and even funeral expenses is increasingly being diverted into betting. These troubling patterns have prompted the regulator to act decisively, focusing its campaign on awareness, prevention, and support.
During the visits, Chingozha underscored the importance of responsible gaming, urging punters to treat gambling as a controlled form of entertainment rather than a financial lifeline.
His message was clear: without discipline, gambling can quickly spiral into destructive behaviour that undermines families and communities.
By engaging directly with gamblers, the Lotteries and Gaming Board aims to curb the negative impacts of betting while safeguarding its image as a legitimate and enjoyable pastime.
The campaign is, not about discouraging participation altogether, but about ensuring that those who choose to gamble do so responsibly, with a clear understanding of the risks and boundaries involved.
“As the Lotteries and Gaming Board, our mandate goes beyond regulation — we are committed to protect communities from the harmful effects of irresponsible gambling.
“What we are seeing across the country is concerning, with increasing cases of individuals diverting money meant for essential needs such as rent, school fees, and even funerals into gambling. This is why we have taken a proactive approach to engage directly with punters and operators on the ground.
“We are encouraging players to always remain in control, understand their limits, and never gamble with money they cannot afford to lose. Knowing when to stop and walk away is critical.
“At the same time, we are calling upon operators to strengthen Know Your Customer (KYC) processes so they can better monitor behaviour patterns and identify early signs of gambling harm.
“Through such systems, it becomes possible to implement exclusion measures and support mechanisms for those already affected. Responsible gambling is a shared responsibility, and together we can create a safer and more sustainable gaming environment,” he said.
The message resonated strongly with many punters, who openly acknowledged challenges posed by gambling addiction.
Some participants even appealed to the regulator to introduce stricter exclusion measures and rehabilitation programmes to assist those already struggling with gambling-related harm.Mutare-based punter, Kudzai Bunya, had this to say:
“We appreciate that the board has come to speak to us directly because this is something affecting many people, even if they do not openly admit it.
“Gambling can easily get out of control, and some of us have seen friends and family lose money meant for important responsibilities. It is not always easy to stop once you are caught up in it.
“We are appealing for stricter measures, including systems that can help limit access for those who are already struggling. Rehabilitation and support programmes will also make a big difference because some people genuinely want to change, but do not know where to start. This engagement has opened our eyes, and we hope more awareness campaigns like this will continue.”
Said another punter, Tendai Doka: “Gambling starts off as something small and entertaining, but for many of us, it slowly becomes a habit that is difficult to control. What the board is doing by engaging with us directly is important because it makes us reflect on our actions.
“Personally, I have seen how easy it is to spend more than you planned, especially when you are trying to recover losses. I think there is a real need for stronger controls at the outlets, including systems that can flag risky behaviour early. At the same time, awareness campaigns like this help people understand that gambling should never come before family responsibilities. We need both education and practical support to deal with this challenge.”
Punters were reminded to remain mindful and alert when visiting gaming facilities, whether physical outlets or online platforms. They were urged to set personal limits, recognise warning signs and make informed decisions about their spending.
Meanwhile, operators were encouraged to take a more active role in promoting responsible gambling by implementing robust KYC systems.
Such measures would allow them to track behavioural patterns and intervene when necessary, potentially preventing individuals from sinking deeper into addiction.
As the campaign gains momentum, the board continues to emphasise that responsible gambling is not just a regulatory requirement, but a collective duty, one that requires co-operation between regulators, operators, and the public.
