Botswana Gambling Authority hosts Eswatini delegation
The visit offers the EGCB a chance to learn about the oversight of Botswana’s robust gambling market, which generates approximately US$20m annually, while maintaining high compliance standards.
Botswana.- The Botswana Gambling Authority has hosted officials from the Eswatini Gaming Control Board (EGCB) in Gaborone for a two-day benchmarking program focused on strengthening regional gaming industry cooperation. The visit, which took place from August 26 to August 27, centred on sharing expertise in regulation, licensing, compliance and responsible gambling practices.
On the first day, the program featured discussions led by key figures from both organisations. Moruntshi Kemorwale, Acting CEO of the Botswana Gambling Authority, provided insights into Botswana’s regulatory journey, highlighting the authority’s efforts to balance economic growth with player safety under the Gambling Act of 2012. Mandla Dlamini, Chairperson of the EGCB, provided an overview of Eswatini’s gambling industry, relating the board’s goals to improve oversight and adopt regional best practices.
Senior managers from Botswana’s Gambling Authority further detailed their approaches to licensing, enforcement and compliance with the Financial Intelligence Act of 2022, which governs anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing in the sector.
On the second day, the two boards visited the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, where they had further discussions on regulatory frameworks, policy alignment and the role of gaming in national development.
Botswana’s Gambling Authority has positioned itself as a regional leader in responsible gambling, notably through its five-year responsible gambling strategy and the Motshameko O Phepa (Fair Play) campaign, which has reached over 150 communities and earned the country the Best Responsible Gambling Programme in Africa award.
Eswatini, where the gaming board regulates land-based casinos, sports betting and lotteries, is seeking to strengthen its framework, particularly as it addresses challenges like illegal slot machines and considers potential online gambling regulations. The visit offers the EGCB a chance to learn about the oversight of Botswana’s robust gambling market, which generates approximately US$20m annually while maintaining high compliance standards.
Dlamini said during the opening session: “This knowledge exchange is invaluable as we work to strengthen our regulatory environment and ensure responsible gambling practices.”
The exchange signifies Botswana’s recognised leadership in the Southern gambling sector. Since the year started, the Gambling Authority has welcomed a series of benchmarking missions from regulatory bodies of other jurisdictions, including Lesotho and North West Province.
