Botswana Gambling Authority eyes regulated gaming as engine for economic growth
CEO Moruntshi Kemorwale urges policymakers to “think outside the box” and leverage casinos, betting houses and gaming platforms to boost jobs, innovation and Vision 2036.
Botswana.- Regulated gambling could emerge as a major engine of economic growth in Botswana, according to the Gambling Authority (GA). Acting CEO Moruntshi Kemorwale urged industry leaders and policymakers to “think outside the box” and explore how casinos, betting houses and gaming platforms could contribute to jobs, innovation and the country’s Vision 2036 goals.
A GA statement titled ‘Thinking Outside the Box – Leveraging regulated gaming to transform Botswana’s Economy’ highlighted the presentation, reinforcing the Authority’s vision of gambling as a strategic economic tool rather than merely a form of entertainment, as discussed at the recent Botswana Mining Conference 2025.
Kemorwale said: “The global gaming and gambling industry is now valued at over $500bn, supporting more than 200 million jobs worldwide, spanning technology, tourism, hospitality, sports and entertainment.”
He also pointed to the sector’s rapid innovation, from AI-driven betting platforms and immersive digital casinos to esports and virtual gaming ecosystems, which is “redefining economic diversification and sustainable growth models globally”.
Botswana eyes global gaming success
Drawing on global examples, Kemorwale compared Botswana to Las Vegas in the USA, Macau in China and Sun City in South Africa, highlighting the country’s potential to leverage its concentration of casinos, betting houses and limited payout machines to drive economic growth.
The GA added that, with prudent regulation, responsible gambling frameworks and strategic investment, the sector “could become a catalyst for Botswana’s Vision 2036 goals, driving employment, innovation and inclusive economic growth” while also supporting infrastructure funding, social programmes and national development.
With careful regulation and strategic investment, Botswana’s Gambling Authority sees regulated gaming as a powerful driver of jobs, innovation and sustainable economic growth.
