Gambling Authority of Botswana and South East Region Launch Education MoU
The Gambling Authority, in partnership with Botswana’s education sector, co-hosted the launch of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the South East Region of the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education.
Across Botswana, youth engagement in sports and digital activities is growing rapidly, creating a need to protect young people from the risks of problem gambling and underage gambling. The Gambling Authority, operating under the Gambling Act of 2012, regulates the gaming industry, oversees licensing, and promotes responsible gambling practices nationwide.
To protect vulnerable young people and uphold the legal minimum gambling age, the MoU aims to promote responsible gambling awareness, protect children, and create safer learning environments across the South East Region.
The partnership gives the Gambling Authority access to 77 schools across the region to deliver responsible gambling education to educators and students. It also supports the region’s Staff Excellence Awards for two years, recognizing teachers’ contributions to student development and welfare.
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As Ms. Linnet Mafukidze, Acting Director of Responsible Gambling and Corporate Affairs, and Mr. Lesoto Sebogodi, Performance Improvement Coordinator, highlighted, guidance and counselling teachers play a vital role in identifying early warning signs of betting participation among learners.
Mr. Kwante Kwante, Acting Director of the South East Region, further emphasized the importance of supporting initiatives that motivate and recognize educators, noting their contributions to learner welfare and development.
By combining policy enforcement under the Gambling Act of 2012 with school-based campaigns and teacher training, the Gambling Authority of Botswana and the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education are building a multilayered protection network for the country’s youth.
