Botswana Gambling Authority outlines new priorities for 2026
In 2026, the Authority will take stricter action against influencers and endorsers of illegal gambling.
Botswana.- The Botswana Gambling Authority has hosted a media briefing to outline its regulatory priorities for the year. Held at the Avani Hotel on Thursday, January 15, the regulator used the session to reaffirm its commitment to fair, safe and responsible gambling amid continued industry growth.
Moruntshi Kemorwale, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Gambling Authority, briefed journalists on the watchdog’s achievements over its ten years of operation. These include the national Responsible Gambling Programme, which reduced problem gambling from 5 per cent in 2020 to 3.4 per cent in 2025, and the Motshameko o Phepha campaign, which has so far reached 173 of the 500 targeted sites in just two and a half months.
Over the past year, the regulator has also used roadshows, pamphlets, social media influencers and community engagement initiatives to promote responsible gambling.
Kemorwale said: “This year, we celebrate a decade of the Gambling Authority – ten years of protecting the public, regulating the industry and ensuring that gambling contributes positively to our nation. Our work is deliberate, not accidental. We are here to safeguard the public interest and promote integrity in an industry that has grown faster than many anticipated.”
In 2026, the Authority will take stricter action against influencers and endorsers of illegal gambling. Kemorwale noted: “These individuals operate illegally, misleading people with false promises of wealth. This is wrong. We are working closely with the police to put an end to it. We recently apprehended one, and he has since apologised.”
In line with industry developments and expanding gaming technologies, the Authority is also updating its regulatory strategy. It plans to introduce stronger safeguards, enhance consumer protection and consider the implementation of a central electronic monitoring system to mitigate risks.
The Authority noted the industry’s rapid growth, with gambling revenue forecast to reach P1 billion (€64.3 million) this year. However, it stressed that it remains firmly committed to enforcement, licensing compliance and active stakeholder engagement.
Kemorwale added: “We are not here to punish by default. We are here to guide, engage and build capacity to ensure operators do right by the public.”
