Most Popular Bookies in Zimbabwe

Gamblers in Zimbabwe will want to choose sports that offer the best possible odds. This will largely depend on the type of bet and specific market. Generally speaking, ones that only have two possible outcomes are ideal. This is because the punter will likely have a 50/50 chance of attaining a win. Therefore choosing between two teams in a football match will be very appealing.

Odds also tend to be good in horseracing. Notable markets include "to win" and "to place" bets. Each way, wagers help to increase the chances of a potential payout. However, the person will need to do some research beforehand on the horses competing. There are numerous tennis-based markets that offer excellent odds for people based within Zimbabwe. These include "handicap," "total games," and “first set win.”

Higher profile events will tend to receive the largest amount of gambling traffic. When Zimbabwe teams take part in them, the citizens will be more likely to make a wager. Good examples of this include the Summer and Winter Olympics. Cricket events such as the ODI and T20 World Cups also saw plenty of punting activity. So too did Zimbabwe matches during the Rugby World Cup.

However, football matches tend to dominate. This is due to the mass popularity of the sport within the country. Sometimes citizens will place a bet in favor of their nation in order to show their support. Gamblers can keep up with upcoming events so that they can research and plan for them. For example, the 2027 Cricket World Cup is likely to see a surge in betting activity when Zimbabwe hosts it.

Most international gamblers tend to use a bank to transfer funds to and from a bookmaker. However, the number of people in Zimbabwe with their own bank accounts is surprisingly low. In 2017 this number was just 28 percent of the population, compared to the world average of 58 percent.

Therefore betting fans in this country may have to find alternatives to traditional banking. The good news is that sports betting sites based in Zimbabwe recognize this fact. Consequently, they provide a wide range of payment options.

Prepaid cards have become popular. If there is a card shop provider in the local area, then this is the ideal way to wager on sporting events. On the other hand, punters need to use the card before a deadline elapses.

Recently there has been an increase in the number of African bookies that accept cryptocurrencies. It is the perfect option for gamblers who want to increase their anonymity. The main issue is that the real-world value of these coins can change on an hourly basis.

African online bookies are well known for relying on GSM networks. They may even enter into partnerships with GSM operators. It makes payments far more portable. More than 560 million people in the African continent rely on this method.

In the modern age, gambling has shifted online. When the internet became more affordable and readily available to people within Zimbabwe, it completely changed the industry. People were no longer restricted to the local markets available from brick-and-mortar bookies. Instead, they could place a wager on international sporting events.

The internet has also given people access to more niche markets. It is possible to gamble on specialist sport games. However, this has not stopped the majority of Zimbabwean punters from focusing on the most mainstream ones. When a high-profile tournament such as the World Cup takes place, there is a surge in wagering within this nation. Furthermore, bookie users have greater portability thanks to the emergence of smart devices.

Betting Legislation

The government within Zimbabwe has taken steps to reduce the surge in online sports wagering. However, this does not mean that the practice is illegal. Instead, it is heavily regulated. If a bookie wants to cater to Zimbabwean clients, then it needs to obtain a license first. Newer bookmakers may find this more difficult. Publications such as Bloomberg have noted that the government has ceased awarding gambling licenses.

Due to the legislation requiring licenses and the lack of new ones being released, citizens in Zimbabwe will have better luck utilizing older and more established punting sites. On the other hand, the co.zw domain has seen an increase in websites. They are full of organizations focused on providing betting opportunities on sports such as horse racing, cricket, football, and greyhound racing.

It should be noted that it is perfectly legal to gamble via foreign bookmakers. The main caveat is that it still needs to be licensed. The government in Zimbabwe does not currently have legislation in place to regulate unlicensed sites. It is important that citizens keep up to date on any news laws coming into force. That way, they will be less likely to inadvertently break the rules.

Are Betting Winnings Taxed in Zimbabwe?

Yes. This is important to be aware of. The government will place a tax on any gambling winnings. This tends to be around 10%. As a result, those who win big will need to pay more. The good news is that this incentivizes the Zimbabwean authorities to keep sports betting legal.

What Is the Minimum Gambling Age in Zimbabwe?

People in/from Zimbabwe have to be eighteen or over to enjoy sports betting. It is unwise for minors to engage in this activity. If they do, they will be breaking the law and unable to retain any winnings. Furthermore, bookmakers found catering to minors will face prosecution and lose their license.

What If Gamblers Use a VPN in Zimbabwe?

Recently some people have started to use VPNs in order to access certain online bookie sites. If the bookmaker finds out about this, they usually terminate the account. The Zimbabwean player will be unable to cash out their winnings as a result. Therefore, it is unwise to utilize this type of technology for wagering purposes.

Can Zimbabweans Gamble With Currencies Other Than ZWL?

The Zimbabwean dollar (ZWL) is the main form of legal tender within this country. However, if the person is using a foreign sportsbook, they might need to use an alternative currency such as the US dollar. If so, it is important to check the exchange rate. Doing so will give them an idea of what the total winnings will be when cashed out.