Overview

The Gambling Authority is an autonomous body established under the Gambling Act of 2012 to regulate, control, and oversee gambling activities in Botswana. The Authority became fully operational on April 1, 2016, taking over responsibilities previously managed under the Casino Act and the Lotteries and Betting Act.

Its creation aimed to modernize gambling oversight, promote responsible gambling, and ensure that the sector contributes positively to the country’s economic and social development.

Mandate and Responsibilities

The Gambling Authority’s primary role is to regulate and control all gambling activities within Botswana. Its key functions include:

Issuing, renewing, suspending, or revoking gambling licences.

Ensuring compliance with licence conditions and established industry standards.

Registering and monitoring the importation, distribution, and maintenance of gambling machines and devices.

Collecting fees, levies, and payments from licensed operators.

Disbursing funds from the National Lottery for social and community development projects.

Promoting responsible gambling practices and mitigating problem gambling through awareness and counselling programs.

Governance and Structure

The Authority operates under a Board of Directors, which provides strategic leadership, policy guidance, and oversight.
Its operations are also governed by several complementary laws, such as the Financial Intelligence Act, Citizen Inclusion Act, and Financial Reporting Regulations.

Licensing and Regulations

The Gambling Act provides for multiple categories of licences, including:

Casino licences

Bookmaker licences

Bingo licences

Lottery licences

Totalisator and racing licences

Employee licences

All gambling operators must be licensed by the Authority, and unlicensed gambling is illegal under Section 32 of the Act.
The Authority also maintains a register of all approved gambling machines, including details like serial numbers, descriptions, and certification status.

Amendments introduced in recent years have updated certain provisions to enhance regulation and align with emerging industry trends.

Illegal and Unregulated Gambling

Illegal gambling remains a challenge in Botswana. It often occurs in informal spaces such as homes, shops, or shebeens, outside the formal licensing system.
The Authority has taken steps to combat these practices through public education, enforcement, and collaboration with law enforcement agencies.

Recent Developments

The Authority recently approved several new bookmaker licences, expanding the regulated market.

There is growing concern about online and offshore gambling, which remains largely unregulated under current laws.

Discussions are ongoing to amend the Gambling Act to include online betting, strengthen anti–money laundering measures, and modernize the legal framework.

The Authority continues to emphasize responsible gambling, requiring licensed operators to contribute a percentage of their revenue toward public awareness and rehabilitation programs.

There have been delays and policy debates regarding the issuance of the national lottery licence, highlighting the complexity of regulatory coordination.

Strengths and Challenges

Strengths

Comprehensive legal framework under the Gambling Act of 2012.

Clear licensing and compliance mechanisms.

Active promotion of responsible gambling.

Increasing transparency and formalization in the gambling sector.

Challenges

The law does not yet cover online gambling, creating enforcement gaps.

Limited resources for monitoring unlicensed or remote operators.

Delays in certain licensing processes due to administrative or policy issues.

The need for stronger digital monitoring and cross-border cooperation.

Future Outlook

Botswana’s gambling sector is evolving. The Authority is likely to pursue reforms that:

Introduce explicit online gambling regulation.

Strengthen enforcement against illegal operators.

Update age restrictions and responsible gambling programs.

Enhance cooperation with international regulators.

Expand research and data collection to inform evidence-based policy.

With modernization efforts underway, the Authority is positioning itself to balance economic growth with social protection and responsible gaming standards.