Hon. Chido Sanyatwe Leads Strategic Nyanga Meeting as Zimbabwe Resets Its Gaming and Lottery Future
4 min read
Nyanga – The Lotteries and Gaming Board, which falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, held a strategic meeting that has instantly become one of the most important moments in shaping the country’s gaming and lottery sector.
The gathering wasn’t just another stop on the calendar. It was a deliberate reset. A chance for the Board to rethink its mandate, sharpen its service delivery, and prepare for the National Development Strategy 2 period that begins in 2026.
Technology is shifting the gaming world, and Zimbabwe’s systems must shift with it. Nyanga became the place where that transformation started in earnest.
Stakeholders from across the country travelled to be part of the discussions. Casino operators, lottery administrators, regulators, digital gaming innovators, and senior officials all came together with a shared recognition that the future of gaming in Zimbabwe needs stronger oversight and smarter innovation.
People weren’t just filling seats. They were grappling with real questions about how to protect players, modernize operations, and align the sector with national development priorities.
The meeting was officially opened earlier today by Honorable Chido Sanyatwe, Member of Parliament for Nyanga North and Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage. She stood in for Honorable Kazembe Kazembe and delivered remarks that immediately set a firm but hopeful tone.
Hon. Sanyatwe urged the Board and its partners to work as one family, reminding the room that Zimbabwe has the potential to lead the region in responsible gaming if it chooses collaboration over fragmentation.
She spoke with conviction, threading her message with a human touch that made it clear this is not just about regulations. It’s about people whose lives are affected by how the industry evolves.
She emphasized the need to embrace technology, not as a threat but as a tool to build safer, more transparent gaming environments. “We must strive to make Zimbabwe a benchmark for responsible gaming, leveraging technology to create a safe and enjoyable experience for all,” she said.
Her statement didn’t hang in the air. It settled into the mood of the room and shaped the conversations that followed.
Stakeholders spent hours unpacking the gaps that still exist in the regulatory framework. They talked candidly about outdated processes that slow growth and weaken consumer protection. They explored how stronger digital systems, clearer rules, and consistent enforcement could lift the entire sector.
There was unity around one truth: responsible gaming cannot depend on chance. It must be built through deliberate action.
Industry representatives didn’t hold back either. They shared their frustrations, hopes, and proposals for a future where businesses thrive alongside robust oversight. Online gaming came up repeatedly.
As digital platforms grow, so do the risks. Everyone understood the need for regulations flexible enough to adapt but firm enough to protect players from exploitation.
The tone throughout the meeting was serious, but it was never grim. There was a strong sense of shared purpose. Even disagreements were rooted in a common desire to see the industry evolve with integrity. More than anything, people appreciated that the Board had created a space where realities could be voiced openly.
As the meeting wrapped up, Hon. Sanyatwe encouraged the delegates to slow down for a moment and experience Nyanga beyond the conference venue. She urged them to savour the crisp air, take in the sweeping views, sample local produce, and reconnect with the landscape.
Her gesture was simple but powerful. It reminded everyone that decisions made in boardrooms have ripple effects that reach households, workers, communities, and the national fabric itself.
By the time delegates left Nyanga, the sense was unmistakable. Today’s meeting was not a routine engagement. It was a turning point. The Lotteries and Gaming Board walked out with renewed purpose, clearer direction, and a stronger commitment to serving Zimbabwe with integrity and modern regulatory standards.
As the country approaches the NDS2 era from 2026 to 2030, institutions like the Board will shape how effectively Zimbabwe embraces innovation while protecting its people. The gaming and lottery sector stands at a crossroads, and today in Nyanga, the first steps toward a more responsible and future-facing approach were taken.
The hills of Nyanga will go back to their familiar tranquillity tonight, but the decisions made earlier today will echo far beyond those mountains.
They will influence policy, guide reforms, and set Zimbabwe on a new path toward a gaming sector built on accountability, progress, and national pride.
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