While the idea of a casino culture may be long-established in Europe and the United States, Zimbabweans are only now becoming exposed to the industry. The Lotteries and Gambling Board of Zimbabwe is responsible for any regulation that might be necessary when monitoring and operating a casino, and it has been doing its job well since the turn of the millennium. The board is authorized to license any gambling establishment, and monitor their behavior.
Speaking of gambling establishments, there are very few major cities in the country that don’t have at least one gambling business. However, even the smaller towns that don’t have an access to a land-based casino can play their favorite games online, where welcome offers for new players await. Rumors have emerged recently about regulating the online gambling market in Zimbabwe, so we may just see a bustling industry and a growing casino culture.
Is Gambling Legal in Zimbabwe?
With the Zimbabwean casino culture potentially growing, many might be interested to learn a lot more about it. Of course, the first thing that most people will think to ask is whether gambling in the country is even legal. While the answer may seem simple at first, in truth it can get quite complicated. So, let us examine the legality of gambling in Zimbabwe.
As you might have been able to guess, gambling is, indeed, legal in the country. We mentioned before that most major cities now operate a casino or gambling hall of some kind, and the Lotteries and Gambling Board is responsible for regulating said markets. Knowing that, then what seems to be the issue? Well, we can safely say it isn’t a legal one.
The problem is that, for generations, gambling has been looked down on in the country. Many of the older generations of Zimbabweans frown upon the act, thinking of it as “low class” or even worse. However, that seems to be changing. As Zimbabwe is getting a lot more casinos, younger generations are much more accepting of the market. So, the industry certainly has a bright future in the nation.
Is Online Gambling Legal?
There are many people who prefer to play their favorite games online. Not only does online gambling afford privacy, but it is also a lot more convenient, especially for those who work from home anyways. In Europe and the United States of America, online gambling has become largely accepted, and is being regulated by well-known authorities. But, what about in Zimbabwe?
Officially, gambling on the internet is illegal in Zimbabwe. However, due to the lack of any proper legislation, there is a bustling grey market. Players can access gambling websites with offices outside of the country, with minimal-to-no legal risk. Because of this, the country is losing substantial revenue to offshore casinos. The good news is that Zimbabwe’s government is looking to fix the issue.
The best way to deal with a successful grey market is not to ban, but to regulate. Quite a few Zimbabwean politicians have expressed interest in regulating online gambling, which would result in a legal market under the authority of the Lotteries and Gambling board. The notion has gotten a lot of support, both from government officials and citizens. We may see online gambling being completely legalized in Zimbabwe in the next couple of years.
The Most Popular Games
The games are the most important aspect of casino culture. Which games have managed to win over the hearts of Zimbabwe’s gamblers. Of course, when talking about gambling one must bring up slot games, as they are the very heart and soul of the casino culture of Zimbabwe, and beyond. Slots are simple games, which require players to spin a reel using a lever or button. The goal is to hit the same symbols on the reel, which results in a payout.
Roulette is another huge hit. For centuries, the red and black wheel has been a staple of casinos in Europe and the USA. A savvy gambler can identify a casino, just by spotting the colors that make up the wheel. Like slots, the basic premise of roulette is very simple; the players need only guess which of the 37 (or 38) pockets the little ball will land on. If they get it right, they get a payout, and if they get it wrong, they must try their luck again.
Of course, when we are on the topic of gambling, we inevitably must discuss sports. The reason is because sports betting is one of the most popular ways to gamble. With football being the most popular sport, not just in Zimbabwe, but throughout Africa, football wagering is at the top of most bookies. The betting and gambling markets are so tightly knit, that many online casinos offer odds on football (and other sports), and may even double as sportsbooks.
The Future of Casinos in Zimbabwe
It is hard to say where Zimbabwe’s casino culture will go. However, we can make some guesses based on the trends that have been observed. For example, we said before that it is hard to find a major city in the country without a functioning gambling business. However, the nation’s capital, Harare, is without a doubt the gambling hub of Zimbabwe, being home to half-a-dozen casinos.
It isn’t just that the businesses are successful, but also that the cultural attitudes towards gambling are drastically improving. With casinos becoming more available, a lot of the younger generations are seeing a lot of potential for entertainment. Not only that, in an age when there is an employment crisis in the country, new gambling establishments are providing job opportunities, which can save an entire community.
Finally, the online gambling market is thriving as well. As we said before, Zimbabweans are free to access offshore casinos, and play their favorite games. However, the government has made claims that an unregulated simply does not make sense, and that they are looking into legalizing and regulating iGaming in the future. By 2026, we may just see the first official online Zimbabwe casino.