To: The Parliament of Zimbabwe, Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, and the Lotteries and Gaming Board

We, the undersigned, call for the urgent regulation or outright ban of high-frequency, algorithmic-based gambling games in Zimbabwe, particularly Aviator and similar digital betting products that are rapidly becoming a public health and social crisis.

Why This Matters

Platforms such as Aviator are falsely marketed as games of chance. In reality, they are algorithmically designed systems that ensure the house always wins. These games are not subject to transparent, regulated probability structures, but are instead controlled by hidden algorithms, designed to induce dopamine-driven feedback loops that keep users hooked.

Unlike traditional sports betting, where some element of skill or knowledge can be applied, these algorithmic games present a high-frequency cycle of wins and losses within seconds creating an intensely addictive experience similar to slot machines or digital casino games.

The Social Impact

• Addiction and Mental Health: Aviator and similar games operate continuously, 24/7, allowing users to place bets every few seconds. This encourages compulsive betting, leading to addiction, anxiety, and depression.
• Youth Exploitation: These games are easily accessible via mobile apps and are aggressively marketed on social media, targeting young and vulnerable Zimbabweans.
• Economic Devastation: Many users have reported severe financial losses, affecting households and increasing cases of debt, theft, and even suicide.
• Lack of Transparency: No regulatory body currently audits or verifies the fairness of the underlying algorithms. Players are betting against a machine, not on chance.

What We Are Calling For

1. An immediate investigation into algorithmic gambling products operating in Zimbabwe, especially Aviator.
2. Public disclosure of algorithmic models used in such games to ensure fairness and transparency.
3. The banning or strict regulation of high-frequency digital gambling games that operate outside traditional sports betting frameworks.
4. Stronger age verification and advertising restrictions, especially on social media.
5. National awareness campaigns about the dangers of algorithmic gambling addiction.

Aviator is not just a game, it’s a social scourge, preying on vulnerable Zimbabweans under the guise of entertainment. If left unchecked, these forms of gambling will erode communities, worsen poverty, and destroy lives.

We demand responsible action to protect our citizens and uphold the public interest.