Zimbabwe committee proposes moving gaming board under Sports Ministry
Regulation1 min read
Zimbabwe’s Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture committee has proposed transferring the Lotteries and Gaming Board to the Sports Ministry and directing a statutory share of gaming revenue to sports development. Parliament Speaker Jacob Mudenda supported the proposal, while Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe opposed it; any transfer would require legal and administrative procedures.
Zimbabwe’s Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture parliamentary committee has proposed placing the Lotteries and Gaming Board under the Sports Ministry and directing a legally mandated portion of gaming proceeds to sports development. Committee head Farai Jere presented the proposal during the 2027 Pre-Budget Seminar.
Jere said betting depended heavily on sport, which faced funding constraints, and proposed transferring responsibility for the relevant legislation to the ministry. He said a transfer would need to follow legal and administrative procedures, with transparent funding and clear accountability for revenue collection, transfers and supported projects.
Parliament Speaker Jacob Mudenda and Sports Minister Anselem Sanyatwe supported placing the board under the Sports Ministry. Mudenda said the transfer would align with international norms. Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe opposed the proposal, saying improved administration and leadership explained the board’s better performance.
Zimbabwe’s Lotteries and Gaming Act already establishes a fund whose purposes include financing sports and recreation activities and development authorised by the Sports and Recreation Commission.