HARARE– Uniformed police officers in Zimbabwe are strictly prohibited from entering betting shops and casinos to gamble, National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi declared at the inaugural H-Metro National Forum On Responsible Betting

HARARE– Uniformed police officers in Zimbabwe are strictly prohibited from entering betting shops and casinos to gamble, National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi declared at the inaugural H-Metro National Forum On Responsible Betting The conference, held at Alex Sports Club in Harare, brought together key figures from the country’s rapidly growing betting industry, the Lotteries and Gaming Board, and various government bodies The primary message of the conference was a strong call for responsible gambling to avoid the serious consequences of misusing funds, including potential imprisonment for those who abuse funds belonging to employers or other parties Commissioner Nyathi’s pronouncement came in response to concerns raised about images circulating on social media depicting uniformed police officers inside betting shops, some appearing to be actively placing bets He emphasised that such behaviour presents a negative image of the Zimbabwe Republic Police While some delegates suggested that the officers might have been conducting compliance checks on unregistered betting operators, Commissioner Nyathi clarified that the police force has a dedicated unit for such tasks, which operates as a team, not through individual officers He warned that any police officers found gambling in uniform would face disciplinary action He also cautioned betting shop operators against allowing individuals under the age of 18 to enter their premises and place bets, which is against the law Casino operators confirmed that their regulations explicitly prohibit uniformed police officers and soldiers from entering their premises to gamble The conference, organised by H-Metro, aimed to bring together all stakeholders to discuss the burgeoning betting industry in Zimbabwe The event was deemed a resounding success, attracting a full house of representatives from major players in the sector The need to regulate and protect gamblers was a key point of agreement among stakeholders during the discussions It was also agreed that monitoring the sector for public safety, ethical standards, and adherence to national values was crucial Zimpapers board member, Mrs Sibly Madzikanda, affirmed the group’s commitment to providing a platform for events related to the industry, while also stressing the importance of responsible gambling Ambassador Raphael Faranisi, the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, emphasised the government’s commitment to fostering a sustainable, well-regulated, and socially accountable gaming ecosystem in Zimbabwe “This conference is more than just an assembly of minds; it is a convergence of values, a platform of resolve, and a spark of transformation where we move beyond rhetoric to action and dialogue, as well as creating a more socially responsible gaming sector,” he said in a speech read on his behalf by the ministry’s director, Ms Prisca Madziviridze Source: My Zimbabwe All Zim News is a central hub for all things Zimbabwean, curating news from across the country so no story is missed Alongside aggregation, our team of nationwide reporters provides real-time, on-the-ground coverage Stay informed and connected — reach us at admin@allzimnews.com. Source: Myzimbabwe