Key points:
- Ten bookmaker licences have been issued, with six operators already active
- The Gambling Authority is focusing on responsible gambling measures and monitoring systems
The Botswana Gambling Authority (GA) has issued ten bookmaker licences, marking a development in the regulation of the country’s gambling sector.
According to the Authority, six licence holders have already commenced operations. One has withdrawn and the remaining three are expected to begin operating in due course.
The GA reported that over 400 jobs have already been created through casinos and the newly licensed bookmakers. Projections suggest that up to 2,300 jobs could be generated across casinos, betting shops and Limited Payout Machines (LPMs) in the near future.
As part of its licensing obligations, BetXplosion has committed to allocating at least five per cent of its annual Gross Gambling Revenue to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. These will focus on youth programmes, education, sports and health awareness initiatives.
Good to know: The GA is conducting a national study on gambling prevalence, including online gambling and at-risk behaviour with findings from the research informing future regulatory decisions and risk mitigation strategies
Marvin Torto, GA Board chairman, stated: “As part of our repositioning strategy as a facilitative regulator, we are intensifying stakeholder engagement developing Botswana gambling standards and proactively working to reduce regulatory hurdles.
"We implore BetXplosion to go further by embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based monitoring tools to detect irregular player behavior patterns, flag potential problem gambling, and generate early-warning indicators for AML concerns.
“Leveraging AI will enhance your ability to protect both your business and your customers, and align with global best practices in gambling regulation.”
This development in Botswana comes as Brazil's Ministry of Finance recently issued 21 new definitive betting licences, highlighting a broader regional trend toward formalising gambling regulation.
