BGA hosts responsible gambling training for frontline staff in Tlokweng
The training provides practical guidance on responding in real time, with staff practising how to start supportive conversations and refer players to help.
Botswana.- The Botswana Gambling Authority (BGA) has hosted a responsible gambling first aid training at Royal Aria in Tlokweng, with employees from licensed gambling operators across the country participating.
The programme, which ran from Tuesday, February 24 to Thursday, February 26, targeted frontline staff who work directly with customers at casinos, betting shops and other licensed venues. Participants learnt to recognise early signs that a player may be experiencing gambling difficulties, such as visible distress during play or unusually long sessions at tables or machines.
The training provided practical guidance on responding in real time, with staff practising how to start supportive conversations and refer players to help, including the BGA’s free counselling services, self-exclusion programmes and other support options.
In a media statement, the Gambling Authority noted that the training builds on its commitment to industry excellence and player wellbeing, equipping staff with the skills to identify risks and act early to support players. The regulator added that this proactive approach is vital for maintaining public trust, attracting ethical investment and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the industry. The week-long initiative aimed to create a resilient, informed environment that prioritised social harmony alongside economic growth for all Batswana.
The current programme follows a series of similar sessions, including a week-long training in September 2025 at Gaborone’s Travelodge, which focused on the mental health impacts of problem gambling and early intervention techniques for sector workers.
Staff who complete the training can apply the skills in their daily work, helping players at the first signs of trouble and supporting the BGA’s aim of keeping the gambling sector safe and sustainable while protecting individuals and families in Botswana.
