Zimbabwe’s gaming regulator is using one of the country’s biggest annual business and agricultural events to boost public awareness of responsible gambling, while also underscoring the value of a regulated gaming industry.
The Lotteries and Gaming Board of Zimbabwe (LGB) took part in the 116th Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS), held from August 24 to 29 at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society Showgrounds in Harare. Through its exhibition stand, the regulator engaged members of the public, industry stakeholders, and local businesses on its role in overseeing Zimbabwe’s lotteries and gaming sector.
The Board’s participation formed part of its “Come Meet the People Behind Responsible Gaming” campaign. The initiative is designed to make gaming regulation easier to understand for the public and to encourage safer gambling practices.
Visitors to the LGB stand received information about the Board’s responsibilities, alongside discussions about both the potential benefits and risks of gambling. The campaign also highlights how responsible gambling can reduce harm to individuals, families, and communities.
A major theme of the outreach is helping consumers identify unlicensed gambling operators and understand the importance of reporting illegal gaming activities to the relevant authorities. The campaign message is: “Your choices can help shape a safer, more responsible gaming environment in Zimbabwe.”
The LGB’s exhibition was led by chairperson Dr Eugenia Chidhakwa, together with CEO Godfrey Mutobaya, vice chairman Costain Sabao, and board member Fredson Mabhena, who chairs the Legal and Compliance Committee. The Board leadership team also toured the stand and interacted with stakeholders throughout the event.
The LGB said the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show provides an important opportunity to engage directly with stakeholders, demonstrate its regulatory mandate, and connect with the public.
The LGB is responsible for regulating and controlling the development and operation of lotteries and gaming activities in Zimbabwe. Its duties also include granting, renewing, transferring, and terminating licenses for gaming and lottery operations.
By taking its message to a major national exhibition, the Board is placing greater emphasis on consumer awareness, industry compliance, and the risks posed by unregulated gambling.
The 2026 Zimbabwe Agricultural Show reportedly brought together 640 exhibitors, up from 613 at the previous edition, with exhibition halls said to be fully booked. The event is being held under the theme “Powering Growth: Where Agriculture, Technology and Commerce Converge,” reflecting its wider role in connecting businesses, consumers, innovators, and other stakeholders.
For Zimbabwe’s gaming sector, the LGB’s presence helps bring topics such as responsible gambling, licensing, and regulatory compliance into a broader public discussion, encouraging consumers to make informed decisions.
Ultimately, the regulator’s outreach reinforces that tackling unlicensed gaming requires cooperation between authorities, operators, and the public, with consumers playing a key role in spotting and reporting illegal activities.
