Best New Casinos in Zimbabwe: Top 10 Casino Websites 2023

New Casinos in Zimbabwe

Zimbabweans are free to play in offshore online casinos because there are no laws to prevent them from doing so. A particular benefit for Zimbabweans playing on these offshore sites is that they do not have to pay tax to the government because the government does not regulate this online industry.

With approximately only one third of the population having access to the internet, online casinos are only just becoming popular. However, players in this country can easily access new casino sites via computer or mobile devices.

Whilst an increasing number of people in Zimbabwe are seeking new gambling sites online, there are a number of things that players need to check out before signing up to a site and giving away all their personal and financial information. Most importantly, players need to check that a site is safe and secure by finding out if it is properly licensed and with proper encryption.

Casino review sites can help players with deciding which sites are reputable and which are not. Players may also want to check out the top bonuses on offer as well as the variety of games on a site. Payment methods may be another important factor for some players, and level of customer support is a consideration.

New players to brand new casino sites enjoy the best welcome packages out there. This is not surprising as these sites are just starting out and need to attract a customer base. This is good news for new players who will be able to activate a number of different bonuses.

A new casino online will also incorporate the latest gaming technology for outstanding graphics and glitch-free play. However, there are some potential drawbacks with new casino sites, not least the fact that they are new and have had no time to establish themselves as reliable and reputable.

History of Gambling in Zimbabwe

In line with a lot of other countries, Zimbabweans have historically loved gambling in one form or another. Their favorite pursuits have been related to horse racing, dog racing and lotteries. Although gambling has taken place for a long time in Zimbabwe, it has not had a good reputation among most of the people. These views are slowly changing, but are still held by some Zimbabweans. Gambling was also possible at casinos, but these were very few in number.

Over the years, the number of land-based casinos has increased to over 20, located in resort hotels in the capital and major towns. These casinos have been frequented mainly by tourists although locals have also enjoyed them. In fact, land-based gambling establishments continue to be popular with the locals whilst there is a move towards online casinos.

All forms of land-based gambling were legalized with the passing of the Lotteries and Gaming Act of 1998. This act set up the Lotteries and Gaming Board of Zimbabwe, which was charged with overseeing all gambling activities including granting licenses and collecting fees.

Gambling nowadays

The Lottery and Gaming Act of 1998 was really aimed at land-based gambling as online gambling was a rarity at that time due to the low internet coverage. The law was very vague and mentioned controlling 'electronic gaming devices', but it was not specific enough to constitute real regulation. Online gambling in Zimbabwe is therefore considered legal because there is nothing said to the contrary.

In 2021, the Lotteries and Gaming Board of Zimbabwe issued an announcement warning Zimbabweans not to play on online gambling sites. However, this was more of a move to stop unlicensed online sites set up by Zimbabweans, and the government had no power to enforce its citizens not to play on offshore sites.

Future of New Casinos in Zimbabwe

About half the population in Zimbabwe now has access to the internet, and this is obviously set to rise, which will bring with it more Zimbabweans accessing the best new casinos online. The government has already legalized and is regulating land-based casinos, so there is no reason to suppose that they will not legalize online casinos, especially considering the vast amounts of revenue that can be generated.

In fact, it has been said that the laws are soon going to be updated concerning online gambling. This would benefit everyone as it would allow local operators to set up new casinos online, players would be protected and the government would receive a good amount of revenue.

Are Casinos Legal in Zimbabwe?

Land-based casinos in Zimbabwe have been totally legal since the passing of the 1998 Lotteries and Gaming Act. As long as players are 18 years old, they are allowed to play at brick and mortar casinos. However, this law does not cover any regulation of the online casino market as it only referred vaguely to 'electronic gaming devices'. Due to this, there are no legally licensed and regulated online casinos in Zimbabwe because no laws are in place to enable it. Zimbabwean players are still free to gamble on foreign online casino sites as there are no restrictions to prevent them from doing so.

Betting legislation in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe, formerly known as Rhodesia, was a British colony until independence in 1980. The British first enabled acts that outlawed lotteries and gaming, but the first change came in 1935 with the State Lotteries Act that effectively set up a state lottery. Interestingly, only the colonialists were allowed to play, with 'Africans' allowed from 1959. This was similar to the 1914 act that allowed horse race betting for colonialists only. Land-based casinos were legalized in 1998 with the repeal of the Gaminghouse Suppression Act, originally enacted by the British.

Casino acts in Zimbabwe

The most important piece of legislation in the legalization of land-based casinos in Zimbabwe is the Lotteries and Gaming Act 26/1998, 22/2001, 3/2016. This act founded The Lotteries and Gambling Board of Zimbabwe, which is tasked with the reviewing and granting of licenses to applicable parties. It allows for levies to be imposed on lottery and gaming operators. The Lottery and Gaming (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations have been updated a number of times to enable the increasing of licensing fees. The latest increases in 2021 involve a raising of the fees for the verification process and the issuing of a permanent license to a total of 500,000 Zimbabwean dollars (1382 USD).

There is no legislation specifically governing online casinos, and the Zimbabwean government is well aware of the need for laws to be updated. The Home Affairs Minister, Kazembe Kazembe has advised the government that a review of the law needs to take place by the end of 2022. There is definitely more legislation to come in this area.

Zimbabwean Players' Favorite Games

The most popular casino games for Zimbabweans are poker, roulette, blackjack, slots and baccarat. Some of these games are best played with a range of strategies to help increase the chances of winning. This is where free games come in handy. Not only are they a source of enjoyment, they can also help players to master the rules of a particular game variation whilst developing strategies to help them win. As players become more adept at playing these games of skill, they are increasingly turning to the live dealer games offered on new casino sites.

Poker

A favorite game with many players, poker has a number of variations, such as Texas Hold'em and Five-Card Draw. Players really need to understand the rules of each variation before placing high stakes on the games. Players can play virtually, live or take part in tournaments.

Roulette

Another favorite for Zimbabwean players, as well as for many players around the world, is online roulette. A number of variations are available with lots of betting opportunities. Players can enjoy the classic American or European versions, or go for some of the new variations, such as Multi-ball or Multi-wheel.

Blackjack

An all-time favorite for many players due to its very simple rules. Also, online blackjack is the casino game that has the best odds of winning. The basic game involves players trying to get their cards to add up to 21, or get the closest they can to this number. This is definitely a game to practice to develop strategies, particularly the strategy of card counting.

Slots

Perhaps the simplest game to play, it requires no skill and is purely by chance. There are so many different types of slots to choose from with many different games in each of the types. The best slots have an RTP 98.2% which is very good.

Baccarat

Another popular game that is easy for new players to try out baccarat. It is a game of chance, but it offers some good chances of winning. A game of chance, it has a 44.6% chance of winning.

Popular New Casino Bonuses in Zimbabwe

New casinos are well known for having some of the best bonuses on the market as they need to attract new players to their sites. They offer large welcome bonuses, some of them requiring a deposit and others which do not.

The no deposit bonuses are probably the most popular because they offer the chance of playing and winning without having to deposit any funds first. These could include bonus money to wager with or free spins on the slots. Players need to read the T&Cs before accepting the offers, especially if any wagering requirements are in place or if there are time limits.

Casino Payment Methods in Zimbabwe

The currency situation in Zimbabwe is pretty unique as it operates with a number of international currencies as well as the Zimbabwe dollar (ZWL). Some sites will accept ZWL and then convert it into USD, GBP, EUR etc. Players will need to pay a conversion fee for this service.

Many people do not have bank accounts in Zimbabwe and prefer to pay by SMS or web wallet. They will need to check if these payment options are available on their preferred sites. As the casino sites that Zimbabweans play on are international, the usual payment options are available. Players will find credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, American Express), bank transfers and e-wallets (Neteller, Skrill, PayPal, InstaPay, EntroPay) available, but will need to check the site.

All the methods are secure, but some differences in transaction times may determine which method is the best for a particular player. The time for deposits may vary between 1-3 days for credit/debit cards, whereas e- wallets are normally instant. Withdrawal times also vary with the fastest payout method being to e-wallets ( a few hours, up to 1 day). Debit cards may take up to a week before the withdrawal is available.

Languages at Zimbabwe New Casinos

There are 16 official languages spoken in Zimbabwe with Shona spoken by 70% of the population. English is a second language for most Zimbabweans, being the language of business, government and the medium of instruction in schools. Players from Zimbabwe will have no problem accessing sites in English as it is the main second language in Zimbabwe.

How we Select the Top Zimbabwe's New Casinos

With new casinos popping up all the time, players need some help to decide which sites are the best. We check a number of factors to help make sure that players have good gambling experiences. The factors include safety, security, licensing, software providers, variety of games, bonuses, payment methods and customer support.

Safety & security

This is the most pressing concern when playing in a new online casino. We check to make sure the site is properly licensed and that the games are fair. The security of the site is checked out to make sure that players' details and transactions are protected by SSL encryption. A presence of a good license will ensure all these factors have been thoroughly checked.

Language & software

Some sites offer local languages, and we will try to identify these for players in Zimbabwe who would prefer to play in their own language. The software providers and games offered by the sites are checked to make sure they are the latest technologies available and do not include fake games.

Customer service

Customer service is extremely important, and a site can be judged by the quality of service provided. This service should be around the clock and be very accessible. A variety of methods including live chat, e-mail and telephone, generally mean it is a good site.

Top-rated New gambling sites in Zimbabwe