Bet267 makes bold debut in Botswana as Gambling Authority eyes market shake-up
With P150 million ($11m) wagered in one month, the country’s betting regulator signals major industry revamp at Bet267’s high-profile launch in Mogoditshane.
Botswana.- Botswana’s betting industry is entering a new era with the official launch of Bet267, a move backed wholeheartedly by the Gambling Authority of Botswana. The high-energy event, held in Mogoditshane on Thursday, was more than a ribbon-cutting – it marked a powerful turning point for the nation’s regulated gambling sector.
The Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Emolemo Peter Kesitilwe, didn’t hold back on the significance of the launch. Addressing a crowd of government officials, industry leaders and media, Kesitilwe described the occasion as a defining moment in Botswana’s gaming future.
“Today is more than a business opening, it’s a statement of intent for responsible and inclusive gambling in Botswana,” said Kesitilwe.
He welcomed Bet267 as a vital ally in shaping a betting environment that is “commercially viable, technologically advanced and socially responsible.”
Crunching the numbers in Botswana
With an estimated 550,000 active gamblers in Botswana, the CEO revealed that only 40 per cent currently place bets through licensed operators, a statistic that spells both risk and opportunity. The remaining 60 per cent are funnelling funds into unregulated channels, which Kesitilwe warned not only threaten consumer safety but also bleed potential tax revenue.
And the numbers don’t lie. In March 2025 alone, Botswana punters placed bets worth P150 million ($11m), generating a gross gambling revenue (GGR) of P15 million ($1.1m).
“Extrapolated annually, that’s P180 million ($13.2m) from just 40 per cent of active gamblers. If we close the gap, our GGR could exceed P450 million ($33m),” Kesitilwe said.
In this regard, the Authority is pushing sweeping reforms, including amendments to the Gambling Act of 2012 and a revamp of the outdated 2002 Gambling Policy. These changes aim to tighten controls on digital betting, combat money laundering and lower the legal gambling age from 21 to 18.
“We are not just regulating. We are rebuilding a smarter, safer and more sustainable industry,” he said.
With Bet267 now on the scene and a reform agenda in full swing, Botswana’s betting industry is poised for a high-stakes evolution.
