Key Takeaways
- Parliamentary committee in Zimbabwe recommends doubling the levy on betting operators from 2% to 4% to finance community infrastructure.
- The recommendation emerged after legislators assessed community development projects funded by the Lotteries and Gaming Board across multiple districts.
- Earlier in 2026, Zimbabwe increased operator taxes from 3% to 20% and bettor winnings taxes from 10% to 25%.
- The revised operator tax functions as a final tax, eliminating the need for betting firms and casinos to pay Corporate Income Tax.
- The country’s wagering sector produced approximately $120 million in revenue during 2023, with digital betting platforms attracting more than 300,000 users by 2024.
Legislators in Zimbabwe are advocating for a substantial increase in the levy imposed on licensed betting operators, proposing it should rise from its current 2% rate to a minimum of 4%. This initiative aims to bolster the financial resources available to the Lotteries and Gaming Board for executing community enhancement initiatives throughout the nation.
The proposal emerged following a comprehensive evaluation by parliamentarians of LGB-supported development activities in various regions, including Mutasa, Gutu, Zaka, Lupane, and Kadoma. According to legislators, revenue generated from the regulated gaming sector has already contributed significantly to improving access to medical services and educational facilities in marginalized communities.
“The committee recommended that the levy collected from licensed bookmakers be increased from 2 per cent to at least 4 per cent to strengthen the Board’s resource base,” the parliamentary report said, according to NewsDay.
Presently, betting operators contribute a 2% levy under existing regulations. From this amount, 1.8% is allocated directly toward community development initiatives.
This levy operates independently from gambling taxation and other regulatory requirements imposed on operators. Parliament emphasized that the board has evolved beyond its original oversight function and now actively contributes to reducing healthcare accessibility barriers and boosting school participation rates.
Major Tax Restructuring Already Implemented
The proposed levy adjustment follows a comprehensive restructuring of gambling taxation that became effective in January 2026. That overhaul elevated the operator tax from 3% to 20% and increased the levy on player winnings from 10% to 25%.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube unveiled these modifications during his presentation of the 2026 National Budget in Harare. He explained that the revised operator tax would function as a conclusive tax obligation.
This means wagering companies, lottery providers, and casino establishments are no longer required to remit Corporate Income Tax. The adjustment represents a 17-percentage-point escalation for industry operators.
“The tax hike is meant to enhance fairness and ensure that the beneficiaries of the sector’s growth also contribute meaningfully to public revenue,” Ncube said at the time.
The restructuring demonstrates the government’s determination to secure increased revenue from a rapidly developing industry. Lawmakers are clearly prioritizing the redirection of these funds toward public service delivery.
Accelerated Expansion of Zimbabwe’s Gaming Sector
The betting landscape in Zimbabwe has experienced substantial growth in recent years. During 2023, the industry produced approximately $120 million in total revenue.
Digital platforms contributed $45 million to that figure. By 2024, the country had more than 300,000 individuals actively participating in online wagering.
The majority of these participants fall within the 18 to 35 age bracket. This demographic segment has fueled annual sector expansion of approximately 10%.
Digital wagering has emerged as the most rapidly expanding component of Zimbabwe’s gaming landscape. The transition toward online platforms has been a primary driver behind government efforts to increase both taxes and levies.
The parliamentary committee highlighted that projects financed by the LGB have enhanced maternal health services and broadened service provision in areas that previously experienced limited access. Legislators view the elevated levy as a mechanism to amplify these initiatives.
The 4% levy recommendation must still proceed through the complete legislative approval process before implementation. No specific timeline has been established for a final parliamentary vote on the measure.
Zimbabwe’s wagering market currently supports over 300,000 active digital users, with the sector recording approximately 10% annual growth propelled primarily by participants aged 18 to 35.
