Peter Emolemo Outlines Vision for a Safer, Smarter Gambling Industry in Botswana
Peter Emolemo, CEO of the Gambling Authority of Botswana, offered a comprehensive overview of the country’s rapidly evolving gambling sector during an exclusive interview with iGaming AFRIKA at the recent Gaming Tech Summit Africa 2025 (GTSA 2025). He highlighted the significant progress made in regulation and responsible gambling, acknowledged ongoing challenges such as underage betting and illegal operators, and laid out a strategic outlook focused on modernization, regional partnerships, and data-driven policy reforms.
With Botswana’s gambling sector still in its early stages of regulated operation, Peter explained his commitment to continuous learning and adapting best practices from more advanced markets. “Botswana is quite a small market,” he noted. “Kenya, for instance, is quite advanced in mobile wallets and online betting. We observe how these mature ecosystems function, not just in technology but also in policy implementation, enforcement, and stakeholder engagement.”
He emphasized that Botswana is not trying to replicate, but rather contextualize and localize solutions that suit its socio-economic and regulatory landscape. “We look at what’s working in other jurisdictions and ask: how can this be tailored to meet our specific needs?” he said. “It’s not about copying and pasting. It’s about learning, adapting, and applying in a way that protects our citizens while allowing the industry to thrive.”
Botswana’s gambling industry has undergone a significant shift in recent years, shifting from a largely unregulated space to a more structured and supervised sector. The Gambling Authority of Botswana, established under the Gambling Act of 2012 and operational since 2016, is now responsible for regulating and licensing gambling activities across the country. While land-based casinos have existed since the 1960s, the rapid growth of online betting has forced the Authority to adapt quickly. Under the leadership of Peter, the Authority has prioritized building strong regulatory frameworks, advancing responsible gambling practices, and embracing digital tools to monitor the fast-evolving industry.
During the discussion, Peter emphasized the Authority’s commitment to a research-driven approach in shaping gambling policy. Before licensing operators, the Authority invested heavily in public awareness campaigns and conducted in-depth research to ensure messaging and interventions were grounded on evidence. One of the key insights from their research was the clear distinction between responsible gamblers, who make up 95% of participants and the 5% showing signs of problematic behavior. Rather than restricting the entire industry based on a minority, the Authority focused on supporting growth while putting safeguards in place to manage the risks faced by vulnerable individuals.
To support its responsible gambling strategy, the Authority rolled out nationwide awareness campaigns and introduced targeted interventions. Still, regulating online gambling brought new challenges. As Emolemo put it, issuing licenses “provoked the illegals,” with unlicensed operators responding to the formalization of the market. With an estimated 500,000 people gambling, roughly a quarter of Botswana’s population, the Authority began to examine who remains outside the regulated space.
Emolemo suggested that many could be underage users, particularly those between 18 and 21, who are excluded under the current law, which only permits gambling from age 21. He noted that the Authority has been stuck at around 70% market coverage and believes the missing share may fall into this legal grey area. In response, efforts are underway to review and amend the Gambling Act of 2012 to better reflect today’s digital landscape.
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A major step forward was the launch of the Responsible Gambling Self-Help portal, a free, multilingual tool accessible via USSD or online. According to Emolemo, the platform has made it easier for people to report problematic gambling behavior and access support. It allows for both self-exclusion and operator-led exclusion, and since its launch, there has been a noticeable rise in the number of people seeking help and entering counseling. “Now they know where to go,” he explained, calling the tool a practical and timely solution.
Licensing conditions in Botswana are designed to ensure that gambling operators meet strict standards for safety and transparency. Emolemo explained that operators must give the Gambling Authority direct system access and undergo regular penetration tests to protect user data. Compliance with anti-money-laundering and data protection laws is also mandatory, and all platforms must be certified by the approved testing labs. “We don’t just rely on paperwork,” he noted. “We test things ourselves and the systems must be certified by approved test labs to ensure full transparency and functionality.”
In a bid to strengthen regulatory standards across Southern Africa, Botswana has signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with regional peers. “We have MOUs with Malawi, Namibia, and parts of South Africa,” said Emolemo. “The UK Gambling Commission also trained our team on online enforcement.” Most recently, a partnership with the Lesotho Casino Board was formalized. “Lesotho is new to licensing. We’ll share documentation, processes, and frameworks, including our responsible gambling portal,” he added.
Looking ahead, Emolemo laid out a clear strategy to elevate Botswana’s gambling industry to global standards. At the heart of this plan is the establishment of a national lottery. “The national lottery can fund sports, youth, and the arts through the distribution fund. It’s very, very strategic,” he said. The Authority is also pushing for a revision of outdated legal frameworks. “We are amending the Gambling Act of 2012 and reviewing the gambling policy from 2002. The industry has changed too much for us to stay behind.”
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