Moffat Mungazi
Tendai Gukutikwa and Solomon Bhumu
“GAMBLING is not about money — it is about the thrill of the unknown”.
This sentiment, often echoed by seasoned gamblers, is now resonating with a surprising new demographic in Mutare — the fairer sex.
Once viewed as a male-dominated pastime, betting has become an unlikely financial lifeline for many women in the city, with an increasing number trying their luck on platforms like Africabet, Bolabet, MWOS, and Spincity.
A visit to MWOS, one of the busiest betting houses in Mutare, reveals a new trend, women staking their money on various games, particularly Aviator betting, popularly known as ‘kandege’.
The visit proved that while betting remains a high-risk venture, for many, it has become a necessary gamble in the quest for financial stability.
Unlike traditional sports betting, ‘kandege’ is fast-paced, requires minimal sports knowledge, and offers an instant thrill, making it particularly attractive to new punters.
To play Aviator, one needs to log into a betting site like Africabet or Bolabet, deposit money into their account, and place a bet before the round starts.
Aviator betting, which has gained popularity among women, is a unique game that operates differently from traditional sports betting.
It is an online-based multiplier game where players place bets and watch a small plane take off.
The objective is to cash out before the plane disappears.
The longer the plane stays in the air, the higher the multiplier, meaning players can win more money if they wait.
However, if they wait too long and the plane crashes, they lose their stake.
Players can choose how much they want to wager, typically starting from as little as 10 cents.
Once the round begins, they watch the plane take off, with the multiplier increasing in real time.
The key to winning is deciding the perfect moment to cash out. Some cash out early with small profits, while others take the risk of waiting longer in hopes of a bigger payout.
One of the women found at MWOS who requested anonymity shared her story.
She said she never imagined herself in a betting house, but the need to make extra cash pushed her to try it out.
“I used to think betting was a man’s world, but times have changed. I started small, just placing random bets out of curiosity. But when I won US$50 on my first day after betting a dollar, I was hooked. Now, I use my winnings to pay rent and school fees for my kids,” she said with a smile, adding that she spends at least five hours a day trying her luck.
The rise in female gamblers in Mutare can be attributed to the economic difficulties many women face, said another female gambler, who requested anonymity.
“I used to be a cross-border trader, but I heard some women talking about betting. Because of my interest, they taught me, and as we speak, I spent most of my time at the betting house. I do not want to lie to you, sometimes I lose and I get depressed, but most of the times, I will be in the ninth heaven because my wins are more than loses,” she said.
With limited formal employment opportunities, some are turning to betting as a way to make ends meet.
Online betting platforms such as Africabet and Spincity have made it even easier for women to bet from the comfort of their homes using their mobile phones.
The accessibility of Aviator betting has made it a popular option for working women, many of whom now play while at work.
In offices, salons, and even supermarkets, women sneak in quick bets between tasks, hoping to strike gold.
“I do not have to go anywhere to place my bets. I just log into my Africabet account and try my luck from the comfort of my office, while working because the salaries that we are getting are not enough. It is better to bet a dollar a day and get a US$50. If you stake more, you get more, but I do not want to risk it. It is better that I risk just a dollar,” said Ms Ruth Tizora, who works in the city.
She explained how she has mastered the game.
“At first, I was just pressing buttons randomly, but now I have a strategy. I place two similar bets, and with the first bet, I always cash out when the multiplier reaches 2.0. On the other bet, I risk it all and cash out when I feel like it. It is not much, but it is better than losing everything. I place small bets. It helps me pass time and, on good days, I make extra money,” she said. For others, the betting houses provide, not only a source of income, but also a space for social interaction,” said Ms Tizora.
Women who once gathered for informal savings clubs now find themselves congregating in betting shops, sharing tips, and celebrating wins together.
“It is not different from savings clubs. The only difference is that here, you can double or even triple your money in minutes,” said the vendor-turned-gambler, who requested anonymity.
However, this new trend is not without controversy.
While many people celebrate their wins, the reality of gambling addiction looms large.
Some have found themselves caught in a cycle of constant betting, unable to stop even after heavy losses.
However, no one admits losing.
Recently, a Gweru-based police officer, Constable Claude Jele reportedly took his own life after losing borrowed money playing the aviator online game.
Sources claim that he had lost US$3 000, which he had borrowed, by the time he took his life.
The source said the police officer was unable to pay back the money he lost and decided that taking his own life was the only way out.
In January, a 28-year-old Bakers Inn Shift manager, William Gonese was jailed 30 months after he stole US$3 420 from work to fund his online gambling on the aviator platform.
Experts warn that while betting can provide financial relief, it also carries risks of addiction, financial ruin, and mental distress.
In an interview, Mutare-based psychotherapist and mental health consultant, Dr Mazvita Machinga-Nyakunu advised caution.
“The problem with gambling is that it creates an illusion of easy money. It starts as recreation, and eventually affects the brain, and that is when a person fails to do anything else, but gambling because gambling is what brings them joy. The anticipation that they will eventually win is what brings them back to the game, even if they keep losing, they will continue coming back because of that one win that they had before.
“They just want to experience that same joy that they experienced when they won, not knowing that it has already turned into an addiction. The truth is, the betting house always wins in the long run. If people rely too much on betting for survival, they may end up in a worse financial position than they started,” she explained.
Dr Machinga-Nyakunu said when someone can no longer control themselves, and has become obsessively compulsive, they should seek treatment.
“That is where we come in to help identify and manage those triggers so that one will be able to control themselves all over again,” she said.
Despite the risks, women in Mutare are unapologetic about their participation in betting.
They argue that gambling is not a gendered activity, but rather an economic strategy.
“Men have been betting for years, and no one calls them irresponsible. But when women do it, people start judging and talk about addiction. The truth is, we are just trying to survive like everyone else,” said Ms Tizora.
Online Reporter