Betting is regulated in Zimbabwe, but the rules for online betting are unclear. The main gaming law was written before online betting, and a 2023 legal guide says online gambling is not a regulated activity. Since 1 January 2026, bookmakers pay a 20% tax and punters' winnings carry a 25% withholding tax.
Last updated: 1 November 2026.
Is betting legal in Zimbabwe?
Betting is a regulated activity in Zimbabwe. The Lotteries and Gaming Act (Chapter 10:26) controls lotteries and gaming, and the Lotteries and Gaming Board licenses and supervises operators. A CMS expert guide (last updated 16 August 2023) confirms that gambling regulation covers betting, casinos, lotteries and sports.
In practice, betting through a licensed operator sits inside the law. Operating without a licence does not.
Is online betting legal in Zimbabwe?
This is where the answer gets unclear. The same CMS guide answers "No" when asked whether online gambling is a regulated activity. That is not the same as saying online betting is banned or approved. It means the Act does not clearly cover it.
The government has said it is updating the law. In August 2026, the regulator's chairperson raised concern over the growth of illegal online gambling, and Focus Gaming News reported that amendments to the Act were still being processed.
If you plan to bet or operate online, check the operator's licence with the Lotteries and Gaming Board and ask what the licence actually covers. A licence for a physical venue is not proof that online betting is licensed.
What is the penalty for illegal gambling?
Enforcement is active. According to the same report, joint operations with law enforcement in 2025 led to 29 arrests and the seizure of 94 illegal gaming machines. The sources we reviewed do not give penalty details for individual bettors, so ask a local lawyer before relying on any of this.
Zimbabwe betting tax in 2026
Zimbabwe changed its gambling taxes from 1 January 2026. The measures were announced in the 2026 National Budget, which Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube presented in Harare on 28 November 2025.
- Bookmaker tax: raised from 3% to 20% of gross gaming revenue. Mr Ncube called it a "final tax", so affected companies no longer pay Corporate Income Tax.
- Tax on winnings: a withholding tax on punters' winnings, raised from 10% to 25%. It is withheld when winnings are paid out and sent to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).
- Filing: operators must submit returns and payments through ZIMRA's TaRMS platform, which was commissioned on 18 August 2025.
Read the full reports from Focus Gaming News on the rate change and on TaRMS filing. Neither report names who does the withholding, so operators should confirm the rules with ZIMRA.
What this means for players and operators
- Players: expect a quarter of any winnings to be withheld at payout.
- Operators: budget for the 20% tax on gross gaming revenue and file through TaRMS.
- Everyone: watch for the amended Lotteries and Gaming Act, which may settle the online question.
Compare with neighbouring markets: Uganda's betting licence and tax rules and whether betting is legal in Nigeria.
Frequently asked questions
Is betting legal in Zimbabwe?
Betting through a licensed operator is regulated and allowed under the Lotteries and Gaming Act. Operating without a licence is not.
Is online gambling legal in Zimbabwe?
It is unclear. A 2023 legal guide says online gambling is not a regulated activity, and amendments to the law were still being processed in August 2026.
What is the betting tax in Zimbabwe?
Bookmakers pay 20% of gross gaming revenue, and a 25% withholding tax applies to winnings, both from 1 January 2026.
Who regulates betting in Zimbabwe?
The Lotteries and Gaming Board.
Has the 25% tax on winnings always applied?
No. It was 10% before 2026.
This guide is for information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change often. Sources: CMS Expert Guide to Gambling Laws in Africa (16 Aug 2023); Focus Gaming News (2 Dec 2025, 5 Mar 2026 and 9 Aug 2026). Gambling is for adults only (18+).
