Botswana gamblers voice concerns over technical issues
The Gambling Authority said it is aware of player concerns and is actively “engaging with all parties involved to ensure the issues are resolved in a fair and transparent manner.”
Botswana.- The Botswana Gambling Authority has released a statement responding to concerns raised by gamers about certain licensed betting platforms operating in the country.
Botswana bettors have flooded social media platforms in the past week with complaints about Betway, alleging difficulties with betting and withdrawals. According to the screenshots posted by these players, Betway’s page displayed a ‘We’ll be right back’ message”, indicating temporary maintenance or technical issues.
In its press release issued today, October 1, 2025, the Gambling Authority said it is aware of player concerns and is actively “engaging with all parties involved to ensure the issues are resolved in a fair and transparent manner”.
The announcement continued: “To strengthen this process, the Authority has engaged independent external experts to assist in identifying the root causes of the challenges and to recommend corrective measures. This step reflects our commitment to accountability, integrity and upholding the highest regulatory standards.
“We assure all stakeholders, including licensees, partners and most importantly, players, that their interests remain protected. Safeguarding the wellbeing of players and ensuring responsible gambling practices remain at the core of our mandate. The Gambling Authority remains committed to building a safe, fair, transparent and sustainable gambling industry for the benefit of all citizens of Botswana.”
However, players are criticising the gambling authority for not directly naming Betway in their statement, despite the platform being at the centre of the controversy. They contend that this deliberate omission suggests that the authority is shielding or intimidated by the international betting giant.
Since Botswana’s regulated betting market officially went live in March 2025, technical issues like this have been a recurring theme. For instance, in April, several sites experienced a blackout that allegedly left several users without access to their betting platforms.
Similarly, many Botswana bettors vented their frustrations at the platforms and gambling authority at the time, accusing them of unfair betting practices.
With continued technical glitches and perceived regulatory inaction, bettors may lose confidence in licensed platforms and seek alternative solutions in offshore betting platforms, which may result in lost tax revenue and increased problem gambling rates in the jurisdiction.
