Botswana Gambling Authority issues 10 bookmaker licenses 

The Botswana Gambling Authority (GA) has issued 10 new bookmaker licenses as part of its plan to expand and regulate the country’s gambling industry. Six of the licensed operators are already active, three will launch soon, and one has withdrawn, the World Casino News reported.

The announcement was made during the launch of BetXplosion, one of the newly licensed companies. “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,” said GA Board Chairman Marvin Torto.

According to the GA, more than 400 jobs have been created through both casinos and the newly launched bookmakers. Projections indicate that the industry could support up to 2,300 additional jobs across casinos, betting shops, and Limited Payout Machines (LPMs).

However, Torto cautioned against the potential social risks associated with gambling, including underage access, excessive betting, and money laundering. 

He said that the authority maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy for minors accessing gambling platforms. Torto added that all operators are required to implement robust identity verification and access control systems.

To enhance compliance and consumer protection, the GA is urging operators to adopt advanced technologies. Torto specifically encouraged BetXplosion to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. “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,” he said via Mmegi Online.

“Leveraging AI will enhance your ability to protect both your business and your customers, and align with global best practices in gambling regulation,” he added.

As part of its license, BetXplosion will commit at least 5% of its gross gambling revenue to corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs focused on youth, education, sports, and health. The GA will track CSR contributions through annual reports and community feedback.

The GA has also launched a national study to assess gambling prevalence in Botswana, with particular focus on online betting trends and associated behavioral risks. 

Botswana’s regulatory developments come amid a wider regional trend toward formalizing gambling oversight. Similar moves have been seen in Brazil, where 21 permanent betting licenses were recently issued.