Zimbabwe police officers banned from betting shops while in uniform
National police authorities in Zimbabwe have officially prohibited uniformed officers from entering betting shops.
Key points:
– Police officers in Zimbabwe are no longer permitted to visit betting shops while in uniform
– The announcement came during a forum on responsible betting
– This move follows a rise in scrutiny around national gambling-related crimes and public perception
Zimbabwe’s police force has introduced a ban on officers entering betting shops or gambling while in uniform, due to reputational risks.
The announcement was made by National Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi at the H-Metro National Forum On Responsible Betting, held in Harare over the weekend.
The forum, held in partnership with the Lotteries and Gaming Board, brought together government officials, regulators and industry stakeholders to discuss the rapid expansion of betting in Zimbabwe.
The discussion also touched on criminal cases linked to gambling misuse, including the conviction of a former manager who stole over $3,000 from his employer to fund a gambling addiction.
However, betting industry representatives questioned the attribution of blame, arguing that some individuals may use gambling as a scapegoat for unrelated crimes.
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Commissioner Nyathi addressed growing concerns over law enforcement’s visibility in gambling environments, particularly after several viral images showed uniformed officers allegedly betting in shops, having said, “This does not give a good picture of the country’s police force.”
The ban is part of a wider push to strengthen regulation and safeguard the industry’s growth, particularly as crash games continue to gain popularity across the country.
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