Zimbabwe Opposition Parties Call for Stricter Gambling Regulations
Opposition parties in Zimbabwe have criticized current gambling industry oversight as circumventable, calling for tighter restrictions to protect vulnerable groups. Parliamentary member Rise Mzansi proposed seven specific reform measures focused on online gambling harms.
Political Parties Propose Divergent Regulatory Approaches
The uMkhonto weSizwe party desires a blanket ban on gambling advertising, while the Economic Freedom Fighters call for sports sponsorship prohibition only. The EFF has accused separate parties of receiving funding from online gambling operators. The party claims gambling money largely flows offshore currently.
EFF member Sinawo Thambo opposed sports gambling sponsorship. “The fact that our football is sponsored by gambling companies is a national shame. They do not sponsor cricket, rugby, or swimming, only the sport of the poor where suffering can be monetised,” Thambo stated. MK’s Visven Reddy highlighted casino worker exploitation issues. “They are the backbone of the industry, but they remain the bottom while foreign owners live in luxury abroad. That is modern slavery wearing a suit and a tie,” Reddy explained.
Regional Jurisdictions Implement Advertising Restrictions
Both parties now seek government action to tighten gambling restrictions, addressing identified concerns. Zimbabwe banned police officers from entering betting shops in uniform earlier this year following gambling legislation scrutiny. Kenya’s Betting Control and Licensing Board officially banned celebrities and influencers from gambling advertisements under a new government directive.
The opposition criticism reflects broader regional debates about gambling regulation and consumer protection across African markets. Political parties advocate different restriction levels, ranging from comprehensive advertising bans to targeted sports sponsorship prohibitions.
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