Gambling has been a part of Zimbabwe's economic and social life for as long as anyone can remember. From football betting to cards played in back rooms, it has always been part of recreation, and if lucky, a source of money. However, the growth of high-speed internet and casino technology has brought about a new type of gambling. Internet casinos are now gaining popularity and transforming how individuals across Zimbabwe gamble. Online casinos enable players to place bets on games anywhere and anytime.
Old-Fashioned is Still Popular, But Slowing Down
In Zimbabwe most gambling still happens the old‑fashioned way at sports betting shops, in licensed casinos or through small, informal games run in townships and rural areas. While this type of gambling remains prevalent particularly amongst older people it overall appears to be in decline. One of the reasons for this decline is that they are not as convenient as online casinos. With physical casinos, players must go to a physical casino or betting shop to gamble. This requires time and money, which is an issue now that transport is more expensive and most individuals have limited incomes.
Regulation also comes into play. Traditional gambling is strictly regulated by the Zimbabwe Lotteries and Gaming Board, which restricts the number of casinos and betting shops in the country. Thus, there are numerous Zimbabweans especially in smaller towns and rural areas who don't even get to access these establishments. This has created a gap between demand and supply, with the gap being filled by online casinos.
The Online Casino Boom
Online sites provide an immense variety of games, which include slots, poker, roulette, and live dealer games. The games are typically developed by reputable casino game suppliers, thus providing assurance of fairness and solid design. A great example of an aggregator that connects operators with top-tier game developers is Hub88. The aggregators make it easier for new casino operators to have access to and offer a complete set of games, in one package, without having to create each specific game from scratch.
Digital services form one of the fastest-growing sectors in Zimbabwe's economy, according to local news outlets like NewsDay. This not only encompasses buying and mobile money payments, but even internet entertainment such as video games and lotteries.
Feature
- More and more Zimbabweans are becoming interested in crypto, and crypto casinos are on the rise
- Top casinos in South Africa
- The future of Online Gambling in South Africa
- Why are $5 deposit casinos so popular?
Keep Reading
Online Casinos
Traditional Gambling
Accessibility
Available from anywhere with internet
Limited to licensed casinos or betting shops
Payment Options
Mobile money, bank transfers
Mostly cash-based
Game Variety
Hundreds of games from top providers
Limited to what is offered on-site
Cost to Start Playing
Low, often no entry fee
Higher cost due to travel and entry fees
User Demographics
Mostly younger, tech-savvy users
Older, in-person players
Hub88 Makes It Easier to Launch Online Casinos
For those who wish to start their own online casino, the toughest task is often getting access to quality games and setting up a legal, secure site. That is where aggregators such as Hub88 prove useful. Operators don't have to deal with each game developer individually. Rather, they utilize an aggregator such as Hub88 to have immediate access to well-known games from reliable producers.
The system benefits companies by providing them with the means to monitor game performance, manage clients, and comply with legislation. In an expanding market such as Zimbabwe, this is necessary. As the legal and financial frameworks are still catching up with online gambling, support from an experienced aggregator can come as a big relief.
Will Online Casinos Overtake Traditional Gambling?
There is no definitive answer to whether casinos on the internet will totally replace traditional gambling in Zimbabwe. There is a space for both in the marketplace for now. Most older customers prefer the physical and social aspect of going to a physical casino. They provide food, liquor, ambiance, and an opportunity for contact. That type of environment cannot be substituted by a website.
But younger generations have more focus on convenience, privacy, and speed. They will be more inclined to use online services and play games on their smartphones. With cheaper internet prices and smartphone usage becoming mainstream, there is a likelihood that more and more people will increasingly prefer online gambling over traditional.
However, the two models will exist alongside one another for a while. But if figures are to be believed, then the online casinos are expanding faster, reaching more people, and making it progressively easier for players and operators to become part of the gambling community.
