The Botswana Gambling Authority (GA) has awarded ten new bookmaker licences, and six of the newly licenced operators are already up and running. One operator has opted to withdraw, and three others are preparing to begin operations shortly.
As per the authority, over 400 jobs have been created, mainly through casinos and the newly licenced betting operations. This figure is expected to climb significantly, with projections pointing to 2,300 jobs across casinos, betting shops, and Limited Payout Machines (LPMs) in the near future.
Among those licenced, BetXplosion, a prominent player, has committed to allocating at least five percent of its annual gross gambling revenue (GGR) to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. These include youth programmes, education, sports and health awareness initiatives. Other operators, though unnamed in initial reports, are expected to contribute to a competitive and diverse betting market.
Marvin Torto, GA Board chairman, said,“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.”
Botswana’s regulatory push echoes recent moves in Brazil, where the Ministry of Finance has issued 21 new definitive betting licences. This highlights a broader regional trend toward formalising gambling and creating structured, regulated markets.
Recently, Botswana’s regulator strengthened on its commitment to responsible gaming, ensuring that player protection keeps pace with economic opportunity. “Generating revenue for the country is important,” Portia Diteko, Responsible Gambling Manager at the Gambling Authority of Botswana, told SiGMA TV, “but before that, human lives matter. We want to be able to keep our players safe.”
Botswana, home to over 2.25 million people, has nine licenced casinos operating under the Gambling Act of 2012. While the country’s laws around land-based gambling are among the most robust in Africa, regulators are facing the dual challenge of sustaining industry expansion while maintaining a fair and responsible gaming environment.
Last month, the Gambling Authority of Botswana ordered the destruction of obsolete slot machines that were being used at the Avani Hotel on a mission to promote regulatory compliance and responsible gaming. The exercise at G-West Industrial is in line with the authority’s ongoing endeavour to keep the gambling industry secure, updated, and transparent.
Welcome to Gambling Consulting Authority (GCA) - Your Strategic Partner in Gambling Industry Advancement
