Key Points
- Parliamentary committee in Zimbabwe recommends increasing the levy on bookmakers from 2% to 4% to enhance funding for community infrastructure.
- The recommendation stems from a legislative review of community development initiatives financed by the Lotteries and Gaming Board across multiple districts.
- In January 2026, Zimbabwe increased bookmaker taxation from 3% to 20% and elevated the tax on punters’ winnings from 10% to 25%.
- The revised bookmaker tax functions as a final taxation measure, eliminating Corporate Income Tax obligations for gambling operators and casino establishments.
- The betting sector in Zimbabwe produced approximately $120 million in revenue during 2023, with digital betting platforms attracting more than 300,000 regular users by 2024.
Legislators in Zimbabwe are advocating for a significant increase in the levy imposed on licensed betting operators, proposing to raise it from the current 2% to a minimum of 4%. This initiative aims to bolster the financial resources available to the Lotteries and Gaming Board for community enhancement programs throughout the nation.
The proposal emerged following a comprehensive legislative assessment of LGB-supported development initiatives spanning multiple regions, including Mutasa, Gutu, Zaka, Lupane, and Kadoma. Parliamentary representatives emphasized that funds generated from the regulated gambling sector have already contributed meaningfully to expanding healthcare services and educational opportunities 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.
According to existing regulations, betting operators contribute a 2% levy, with 1.8% allocated exclusively toward community development initiatives.
This levy operates independently from standard gambling taxation and other regulatory fees imposed on operators. Parliamentary officials highlighted that the board’s mandate has evolved beyond mere regulatory oversight to include active participation in reducing healthcare access barriers and boosting student enrollment rates.
Recent Gambling Taxation Reforms
The proposed levy adjustment follows a comprehensive gambling tax restructuring that became operational in January 2026. These reforms elevated the tax rate on bookmakers from 3% to 20% while simultaneously raising the tax on gambling winnings from 10% to 25%.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube unveiled these modifications during his 2026 National Budget address in Harare. He clarified that the restructured bookmaker tax would operate as a conclusive tax obligation.
Consequently, betting enterprises, lottery operations, and casino establishments are no longer subject to Corporate Income Tax requirements. This adjustment represents a substantial 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.
These legislative changes demonstrate governmental determination to secure increased revenue from a rapidly expanding economic sector. Parliamentary officials are clearly prioritizing the redirection of these funds toward essential public services.
Accelerating Expansion of Zimbabwe’s Gaming Sector
Zimbabwe’s gambling sector has experienced substantial expansion in recent years. During 2023, the industry produced approximately $120 million in total revenue.
Digital betting platforms contributed $45 million to this figure. By 2024, the country registered over 300,000 regular participants in online gambling activities.
The majority of these participants fall within the 18 to 35 age bracket. This demographic segment has fueled an annual growth rate approaching 10% within the sector.
Digital betting platforms now represent the most rapidly expanding component of Zimbabwe’s gambling landscape. The transition toward online participation has been instrumental in motivating governmental efforts to implement elevated taxes and levy structures.
The parliamentary committee observed that initiatives financed by the LGB have enhanced maternal health services and expanded public service availability in regions that previously faced significant access limitations. Legislative representatives view the increased levy as a mechanism to amplify these development efforts.
The proposed 4% levy must complete the entire legislative approval process before implementation. Authorities have not established a definitive schedule for the final parliamentary vote on this measure.
Zimbabwe’s betting market currently supports over 300,000 active online users, with the industry posting nearly 10% annual growth driven largely by bettors aged 18 to 35.
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