The Gambling Authority of Botswana has issued 10 bookmaker licenses, marking a significant milestone in the development of the country’s gambling industry.
Out of the 10 authorized operators, three are getting set to start operations soon, one has withdrawn, and six have already started operations. This milestone aligns Botswana with global standards by reflecting the Authority’s strategic decision to improve the governance and structure of the country’s gambling industry.
The announcement, which was made at the official launch of BetXplosion, one of the recently licensed operators, is indicative of Botswana’s broader attempt to promote the industry while upholding responsible gambling guidelines.
In his remarks, the Board’s Chairman, Marvin Torto emphasized the importance of this action in strengthening regulatory supervision and fostering local economic development.
“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.”
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The expansion of the sector is already yielding economic benefits, with over 400 jobs created through casinos and licensed bookmakers. The Gambling Authority of Botswana anticipates this number could rise substantially, with projections indicating that as many as 2,300 jobs could be generated across casinos, betting shops, and Limited Payout Machines (LPMs) in the coming years. This growth supports broader national objectives of employment creation and economic diversification.
Despite these encouraging signs, Torto acknowledged the risks that come with the expansion of gambling activities, such as money laundering, excessive betting, and underage participation. Regarding minors using gaming platforms, he underlined that the Authority will continue to impose a rigorous zero-tolerance stance. To stop illegal involvement, BetXplosion and all other operators must put strong access controls and real-time identity verification mechanisms in place.
