Botswana Gambling Authority promotes responsible gambling at UB Marathon 2025
Team members from the authority supported the runners by cheering them on and setting up an informational stall to interact with participants and spectators.
Botswana.- The Botswana Gambling Authority (BGA) has made an appearance at the 10th annual University of Botswana (UB) Marathon. The event, held on September 7, 2025, at the UB Stadium in Greater Gaborone, drew hundreds of runners across various distances, including a full 42.2 km marathon, 21.1 km half-marathon, 10 km race and a 5 km fun run.
As an official qualifier for prestigious international races like The Comrades Marathon and the Two Oceans Marathon, the UB Marathon not only tests endurance but also serves as a platform for community engagement and fundraising, with proceeds historically supporting initiatives such as the Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership.
The BGA’s involvement highlighted a strategic outreach to promote responsible gambling alongside a healthy, active lifestyle. Team members from the authority supported the runners by cheering them on and setting up an informational stall to interact with participants and spectators. This setup allowed the BGA to distribute educational materials and discuss the importance of mindful gaming practices, reaching a diverse audience of athletes, families and locals.
A statement posted on the regulator’s Facebook page read: “The Gambling Authority is proud to participate in the UB Marathon 2025. We were thrilled to support the runners, promote a healthy and active lifestyle. Our team also got a chance to set-up a stall and connect with the participants by spreading responsible gambling awareness. It was an inspiring day filled with incredible energy and determination.”
While the BGA’s role as outlined in the Gambling Act of 2012 is to regulate the industry while mitigating related societal harms, it has developed several strategies to fullfil this mandate. Some of which include community engagement, crackdown on unlicensed platforms and participation in social and sporting programs like the UB Marathon. This approach not only humanises the regulator but also leverages the marathon’s energetic atmosphere to educate on balanced living.
Acting CEO Moruntshi Kemorwale has underscored this, saying: “The Motshameko-O-Phepa campaign has been instrumental in educating the public on how to gamble responsibly. We’ve seen a significant increase in awareness, and we believe this is why the vast majority of Batswana, 95 per cent, gamble responsibly.”
