Zimbabwe has traditionally not been a huge online betting country because of low internet penetration and the lack of an advanced banking infrastructure.
However, with neighbouring countries now stimulating economies with legalised online sports betting, Zimbabwe is also beginning to blossom into a growth market for online betting companies.
While the African country is yet to license any online operators, it is possible for Zimbabweans to bet using offshore sites. This means that Zimbabwe will not be regulating the market but another government will be doing that so locals need not worry as their money is still secure as long as they choose a licensed betting platform.
To learn about everything around betting online on sports in Zimbabwe from learning how to deposit funds to the popular sports and everything else you may require to successfully start betting in the Jewel of Africa, you’ve come to the right place as this guide should solve your major queries.
Although Zimbabwe may not have much of a history with betting, it is still an exciting place for bettors. Zimbabwean sportsbooks offer sports-lovers the chance to gamble on their favourite leagues and games.
Biggest Sports for Betting in Zimbabwe
Most bettors always decide which sports and events they are interested in before selecting an online sportsbook. They pick the one that offers them all their prioritised/favourite sports before deciding to sign up.
Luckily, most of the sports betting sites in Zimbabwe offer a wide range of sports, leagues, and events that you can choose from to bet on. Here are the most popular sports to bet on in Zimbabwe.
Horse Racing
Horse racing is the most popular form of sports betting in Zimbabwe. In fact, it is so big that it beats football in terms of popularity as well.
There are many horse racing betting sites that you can find in Zimbabwe and it is no surprise that there is a horse race track in the country.
Football
Zimbabweans love football just like most countries in Africa. It is extremely popular for betting as well.
Locals love to bet on the local Premier Soccer League, which is Zimbabwe’s top flight of domestic football.
The English Premier League is another extremely popular tournament that sees a lot of betting.
Cricket
Cricket is the third most popular sport in Zimbabwe and this comes as no surprise either.
The Zimbabweans had a very accomplished side back in the day with some top talents that were able to match up to the heavyweights of the international game.
In recent times, the team has failed to make a mark and regularly qualify for the major tournaments including the World Cup but the locals still do adore the sport.
The locals love to bet on the Indian Premier League (IPL), Australia’s Big Bash League, the Pakistan Super League, the Caribbean Premier League and many more.
Rugby
Rugby is quite popular in Zimbabwe and especially when it comes to betting on the sport.
Many online bookmakers offer different events and leagues for rugby lovers, including Premiership Rugby and the Rugby World Cup.
These sites also offer the best odds to give bettors a better experience.
Hockey
Field Hockey is widely played in Zimbabwe, so this also comes as no surprise that it is a popular betting choice among online bettors.
From the odds to famous matches and leagues, the top sportsbooks offer numerous field hockey betting choices for Zimbabweans to enjoy and make the most of.
Handball
To round up the major sports that are popular for betting in Zimbabwe is handball.
It is another popular sport that you can find on most online bookmakers in Zimbabwe. The sport is not only popular among online bettors in Zimbabwe but also widely played and loved by the locals.
Thus, bookmakers offer odds on the top leagues and matches for bettors. These leagues include the Bundesliga, French National League and many more.
These are only six of the sports that you will find when looking for sites to bet on in Zimbabwe. There are many more sports that you can find on other betting sites including golf, netball, swimming and many others.
There is a wide array of sports to choose from so take your time before deciding where to put your money and place that winning bet.
Betting Bonuses and Promotions
Bonuses and betting offers are the highlight of any popular bookmaker in Zimbabwe.
Registered users love bonuses to test the platform and enjoy betting when given incentives. It is also a way of giving new bettors an idea of what to expect in terms of the budget.
If you enjoy bonuses and promotions then there are many that you can find at the top sportsbooks in the country. One popular betting offer is the no deposit bonus, which offers bettors free cash to bet on a few games in the beginning. There are also free bets, deposit match bonus and cashback offers that can be leveraged depending on the bookmaker you select.
Before using any sportsbook bonus, most players forget an important factor – the terms and conditions.
Please read through the terms and conditions of any bonus being offered to you as you do not want to waste any. It is important to have a proper understanding of the conditions so as to make sure you can perfectly utilise the bonus and are eligible for the same.
Another important feature is the wagering requirement of the bonus. This shows the minimum number of times times you would need to bet before withdrawing your winnings.
If the requirement is unfavourable, then you might just end up losing the bonus. Most bookmakers in Zimbabwe do not set unreasonable wagering requirements so you needn’t worry. Do check the validity and minimum bet allowed on the betting websites.
Apart from the welcome bonuses, betting site promotions are also on offer to existing players, which is said to boost their loyalty. At top Zimbabwean bookmakers, you can find some ongoing bonuses like cashback and reload bonuses. There are VIP programs for players who play with high stakes as well.
Popular Bets in Zimbabwe
As there are many legal online sportsbooks in Zimbabwe, you can expect many types of bets to choose from when betting.
From single bets and moneyline bets to totals and parlays, these bets are offered by most of the top online sportsbooks that offer services to Zimbabweans. There are also very few restrictions on sports betting in Zimbabwe.
All the top bookmakers offer a wide range of betting types, so you can look forward to a lot of variety when it comes to betting.
The sportsbooks always explain all bet types offered that you can find in the FAQ or Help section, so use that in case you have any doubts when placing a bet.
Here is a list of the popular bets placed by Zimbabwean bettors.
- Single Bet
- Double Bet
- Live Betting
- Overs/Unders
- Both Teams to Score (BTS)
- Parlays
- Handicap
- Double Chance
- Moneyline
- Draw No Bet (DNB)
- Combo Betting
- Totals
To learn about all these terms (and more) along with the various types of bets, head to our dedicated sports betting page – Sports Betting
There are too many types of bets available on online sportsbooks to keep track of. Players usually have preferences when it comes to a certain type of bets.
However, it does not hurt to have diverse betting options. This increases the potential for huge payouts.
Betting Safety and Security in Zimbabwe
Another important factor that every top sportsbook focuses on is security and safety of its customers. It is of paramount importance that bettors and registered users feel a sense of security and safety when placing bets on a betting site or app. This is essential in protecting the banking and personal information of all those placing bets or visiting the online betting platforms.
Top online bookmakers use a wide range of methods to ensure that players can bet safely on their platforms. One of the popular methods of ensuring bettor safety is by using encryption systems to prevent hacking and protect sensitive information.
Responsible gambling technology is just as important to any sports betting site as encryption technology is. This technology is used to recognise patterns of betting addiction in players and recommend different self-exclusion tools. Thus, bettors can be saved from imminent bankruptcy. In this way, players can enjoy gambling in a safe environment.
The first sign that an online bookie is safe is always on the bottom part of its homepage. There, you can see all the logos of the companies it has tied up with along with its license number and where the license has been issued. It is crucial to check if the online sportsbook you plan to use is safe before signing up.
Mobile Betting in Zimbabwe
Bettors have shifted from using their desktops or laptops for betting to now using their mobile phones or tablets.
Customers can simply tap the links on their smartphones or tablets and be taken directly to the sports betting sites. Log in using your desktop details or sign up on your mobile device – to access the sportsbook, as well as other betting services on the go.
The convenience and ease of use of using mobile phone apps or mobile versions of websites is that you can bet from anywhere at any time and need not be physically present at a particular location to place your bets. The site must be easy to navigate on all types of mobile devices, and it is an even more pleasant experience for a bettor when it has the same features as a desktop.
Live Betting and Live Streaming in Zimbabwe
Live betting and streaming are a feature of top betting sites that allow players to place their bets while the game is ongoing.
Luckily, Zimbabwean bettors can also enjoy betting on live events. Many websites in the country offer live betting odds and in-play betting options.
The excitement and adrenaline rush with placing bets based on the way a game is going comes, with an unparalleled experience.
If you end up betting with a site that offers live streaming and betting, you should definitely go for it as it is an exciting way to enjoy sports betting.
Since there are in-play betting odds available, you can enjoy betting in real time and place live bets. Some of these sites also allow early cashout, which means that you can withdraw your winnings before the game ends as well and need not wait for the result to play out.
Payment Methods in Zimbabwe
Everyone has their preferred choice of transacting. They all look for different types of payment methods, and that has led to online sports betting companies finding a variety of banking options that a betting site can offer.
Top betting sites offer all sorts of payment options for both deposit and withdrawals and it is no different for Zimbabweans.
There are many types of payment methods – from e-wallets and credit cards to prepaid cards and bank transfer. Some even offer crypto currencies for trading now! When there is a wide range of them, it builds loyalty as people feel secure by having their preferred choices.
The deposits and withdrawal limits, as well as the fees on operations, can differ from bookmaker to bookmaker. Keep in mind that not every sportsbook is offering all these payment methods.
A lot of these sportsbooks might not accept the Zimbabwe dollar therefore, deposits might need to be made in US$ or Euros.
PayPal is widely accepted by online sportsbooks in Zimbabwe so it may be the best option to use that for betting. A wise move is to choose an online sportsbook that accepts PayPal as a payment method.
We recommend PayPal over all the other means of fund transfer simply because of its global reputation, state-of-the-art security encryptions and speedy deposits and withdrawals.
The Massive Craze for eSports in Zimbabwe
eSports is one of the fastest-growing and exciting forms of online betting.
It involves online competitions, tournaments/leagues and games.
Many sports bettors are looking out for bookmakers that allow them to bet on these and eSports betting sites are already extremely popular in Zimbabwe.
The most popular eSports available for betting are the usual player favourites – League of Legends, Counter-Strike (CS:GO) and Dota 2. Pick an online sportsbook that has eSports as it is safe to assume that they are up to date with all the latest trends in the sports betting market.
History and Future of Zimbabwe’s Betting Industry
Almost two decades after Zimbabwe gained its independence, it passed its first Lotteries and Gaming Act, which was in 1998. The Lotteries and Gambling Board was also founded to execute the law in the same year.
The law was adjusted twice after that but it has not been reviewed since 2002. A more recent review is required as it will greatly help to catch up with the other African nations that are surging ahead in the betting space.
Zimbabwe has been operating a state-owned lottery game since 1935 but has only one online platform.
The lottery has been considered quite the joke after the president of the country, Mugabe, won the lottery in 2000! Horse racing is also historically popular in the country since it was allowed in 1980.
Even before Zimbabwe gained its independence, it was already building its gambling environment. The state lottery dates as far back as 1935 while the first and only horse racecourse opened in 1957. This is why betting is so popular in the country.
There are 11 cities in Zimbabwe that offer a total of 21 legal betting facilities. These range from betting shops to horse tracks, as well as casinos.
The biggest number of betting facilities are located in the capital city of Harare, where you will find five casinos offering a number of table games and slots. Harare also has the biggest casino in the country, known as Regency Casino Harare and Rainbow Towers Hotel. Here you will find over 12 table games and around 160 slots.
Zimbabwe has a long way to go to grow its betting market and things need to be changed for the country. Betting may be the answer to the economic problems the country is going through.