The Lotteries and Gaming Act [Chapter 10:26] provides the principal legal framework for lotteries and gaming in Zimbabwe. It establishes the Lotteries and Gaming Board, regulates licensing, restricts unlicensed lottery activity and sets out enforcement rules. This guide explains the provisions most relevant to players, publishers and anyone researching lottery law in Zimbabwe.
This is an independent, plain-English summary of the legislation, not the official text or legal advice. The publicly available consolidated Act used for this guide is dated 31 December 2016; subsequent legislation and regulations may affect the current position. Consult the published text of the Act and the Lotteries and Gaming Board for authoritative guidance.
What does the Lotteries and Gaming Act regulate?
The Act covers the conduct of lotteries and gaming activities, the licensing of operators, the powers of the regulator and restrictions on activities carried out without authorisation. Under section 2, its definition of a lottery is broad and includes lotto and scratch-card schemes, as well as other arrangements where prizes are allocated by chance.
The Act came into operation on 1 October 2000. It is usually cited as the Lotteries and Gaming Act [Chapter 10:26].
The Lotteries and Gaming Board: sections 3 and 4
Section 3 establishes the Lotteries and Gaming Board. Section 4 gives the Board regulatory responsibilities, including granting, renewing, transferring and terminating licences, monitoring compliance with licence conditions and regulating the development and operation of lottery and gaming activities.
The Board is the appropriate starting point for checking whether an operator has the necessary local authorisation. An operator’s statement that it is licensed should not be treated as independent proof of the current licence status or its scope.
Section 30: unlicensed lotteries and advertising
Section 30 is particularly important. Subject to the terms of a licence, section 30(1) prohibits a person from conducting or assisting in conducting a lottery, selling or offering lottery tickets, or advertising a lottery. The provision expressly includes the words “in any manner advertise a lottery”.
Section 30(2) also restricts possession of or an interest in tickets for lotteries that are not licensed under the Act. Contraventions can result in criminal penalties. Under section 30(3), a breach of section 30(1) can carry a fine, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
Section 30(4) provides a possible defence where a person had reasonable grounds to believe that the lottery was licensed and that their conduct was authorised by the licence. This is not a blanket exemption for advertisements or affiliate links.
Are international online lotteries allowed in Zimbabwe?
The Act does not provide a general rule stating that every foreign lottery website may be used or advertised in Zimbabwe. Its licensing and advertising provisions mean that a licence from another country should not be assumed to authorise operations or promotion in Zimbabwe.
There is also an important distinction between purchasing an official lottery ticket through a ticket agent and placing a wager on the result of a lottery. The exact legal classification and authorisation requirements depend on the product, how it operates and applicable local law. The consolidated Act alone does not settle every question about modern cross-border online services.
For website owners, a paid recommendation or affiliate link to a lottery operator may raise advertising issues under section 30. Independent factual reporting is different from a promotional offer, but the Act does not give a simple online-publisher exemption. Seek written clarification from the regulator before promoting an international lottery service to Zimbabwean visitors.
Sections 31 to 34: gaming and operator licences
Section 31 prohibits certain gaming activities without the required licence. Section 32 sets out the application process for licences and requirements the Board must consider. Section 33 addresses the contents and validity of licences, while section 34 allows licence conditions dealing with the operation of authorised games, reporting and other compliance matters.
Under section 32(4), the Board may issue a lottery licence only where the lottery is conducted on behalf of the State or its proceeds are applied to specified purposes under section 53(2). A licence is not necessarily permission to offer every gambling product or advertise in every possible way. Operators and publishers should confirm which activities are covered by the licence and any applicable conditions.
Age restrictions: section 62
Section 62 prohibits licensees and their agents or employees from permitting minors to participate in an authorised lottery or game. Africalotto’s website says its services are intended for persons aged 18 and over. Players should check the operator’s age-verification and eligibility rules before participating.
Lottery and gaming taxes in 2026
Tax rules are separate from the licensing requirements in the Lotteries and Gaming Act. Zimbabwe’s Finance Act No. 7 of 2025, effective for these provisions from 1 January 2026, introduced the following rates:
| Tax | Rate from 2026 | Who accounts for it? |
|---|---|---|
| Punters’ tax on gross winnings | 25% | Gaming operator withholds it from covered winnings |
| Gaming operators’ tax on gross monthly takings | 20% | Gaming operator |
These rates appear in section 9 of Finance Act No. 7 of 2025, together with amendments to the Income Tax Act. They are separate charges. A player’s individual winnings are not subject to an additional 20% deduction simply because the operator also pays a 20% tax.
Read our 2026 Zimbabwe gambling tax guide for further explanation. For specific calculations, deductions, refunds or reporting obligations, consult the operator and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).
Lotteries and Gaming Fund: section 53
Section 53 establishes the Lotteries and Gaming Fund and identifies purposes for which it may finance eligible activities. These include approved sports and recreation, education, health, cultural development, public welfare and environmental protection. This does not mean that each lottery ticket automatically contributes a fixed percentage to every listed cause.
How can players check an operator?
- Check the current operator and product name.
- Ask whether it has a valid Zimbabwean licence and whether the specific lottery or game is authorised.
- Review the applicable game rules, prize currency, ticket price, tax treatment and claims process.
- Verify important licensing questions with the Lotteries and Gaming Board.
- Be cautious about sites promising guaranteed winnings or presenting foreign licences as automatic local approval.
Frequently asked questions
Is every lottery legal in Zimbabwe?
No. The law regulates lotteries through licensing and places restrictions on unlicensed lotteries and their promotion.
Does an overseas gaming licence make an international lottery legal in Zimbabwe?
Not automatically. A foreign licence does not, by itself, establish local authorisation. Ask the Zimbabwean regulator about the specific operator and product.
Can an independent website advertise international lotteries?
Section 30 restricts advertising of lotteries outside the terms of the relevant licence. Whether a specific website or affiliate arrangement is permitted requires a case-specific assessment and, ideally, written confirmation from the regulator.
Who regulates lotteries in Zimbabwe?
The Lotteries and Gaming Board, established under section 3 of the Lotteries and Gaming Act.
What is the tax rate on winnings in 2026?
Finance Act No. 7 of 2025 provides a 25% tax on gross winnings covered by the punters’ tax regime, generally withheld by the gaming operator. Check the treatment of your particular payout.
Official legislation and contacts
- Lotteries and Gaming Act [Chapter 10:26]: read the consolidated Act on ZimLII.
- Finance Act No. 7 of 2025: read the Finance Act on ZimLII.
- Lotteries and Gaming Board: official contact page; 44 Lawson Avenue, Milton Park, Harare; info@lgb.co.zw.
- Zimbabwe Revenue Authority: official tax authority.
Last reviewed: 15 October 2026. Lottery.co.zw is an independent information website and is not the Lotteries and Gaming Board, a licensed lottery operator or a legal adviser. This guide describes publicly available legislation and should not be relied upon as a substitute for current professional advice or confirmation from the relevant authorities.
For information about available games, see our Zimbabwe lottery homepage, Africalotto guide and lottery results overview.