Illegal online gambling on the rise

Farirai Machivenyika

Senior Reporter

The Lotteries and Gaming Board has expressed concern over the surge in illegal online betting sites, citing the absence of a legal framework to address the issue.

According to a report presented to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs, Security Services and War Veterans Affairs, the board acknowledged the proliferation of illicit online gambling activities in Zimbabwe.

The report attributed the rise in illegal online gambling to technological advancements, increased accessibility, and the borderless nature of online activities, which pose regulatory enforcement challenges.

The board also cited inadequate personnel as a hindrance to closing illegal gambling shops sprouting across the country.

The report noted an upsurge in investment in the gambling industry by foreign and local investors in recent years, leading to concerns over gambling density.

To address this, the board has taken steps to control gambling density by limiting the number of shops and conducting rigorous screening exercises before issuing new licenses.

The report also highlighted the use of the gambling industry as a conduit for illicit financial crimes, prompting the implementation of stringent measures to prevent such activities.

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