By Own Correspondent
There are concerns that most new casinos allegedly run by Chinese are fraudulently operating with the blessings of political big wigs.
Recently, during a visit at the Lotteries and Gaming Board offices in Harare, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe warned illegal lotteries that the long arm of law will soon catch up with them but it seems this could have fallen on deaf ears.
It seems immigration officers are working in cahoots with these illegal Chinese casino operators.
This seems to be the case at SunCity casino in Belgravia where the spot has now allegedly led to a spike in criminal activities such as armed robberies, murders and drug trafficking raising the ire of residents.
An immigration officer who requested anonymity claimed that recently arrested Chinese and Cambodians working at SunCity were released after allegedly paying bribes.
“You are aware that some Chinese and Cambodians workers at SunCity were recently arrested for contravening immigration laws but they are now out. The only stumbling block is how the story has attracted a frenzied media attention so our boss won’t sign their papers anytime soon, ” said the immigration officer.
A few days after Minister Kazembe’s warning, a newly casino has emerged at No 147 Samora Machel Ave and Glenara in Harare and has opened its doors to gamblers with rumours that it has not complied with expected policies, procedures and protocols of the Lotteries and Gaming Board.
“ There is apparent defiance by some casino operators, how can a few days after the minister announces that proper regulations of casinos will be adopted we are already witnessing a newly established casino run by Chinese emerging in Harare, this does not show commitment towards fighting corruption in the lotteries and gaming sector
“ Most Chinese personnels running this business are doing so due to the corruption by immigration authorities who are allowing unfit Chinese immigrants without proper operating licenses to go on with business,” said a ministry of home affairs official on condition of anonymity.
With the escalating drug trafficking, many are sceptical that most casinos which are operation illegally could be fuelling this ill.
