Eswatini Gaming Board reaffirms ban on online casino-style betting
The four registered gaming companies in the country hold bookmaker-only licences.
Eswatini.- Chairperson of the Eswatini Gaming Board, Mandla Dlamini, has confirmed that online casino-style gambling remains illegal in the country, despite the continued expansion of digital betting platforms.
He noted that licensed operators in Eswatini are limited to bookmaker activities, adding that the four registered gaming companies in the country hold bookmaker-only licences, which do not permit online casino games such as slots or virtual table games.
Dlamini said ongoing discussions with industry stakeholders have informed the drafting of revised gambling regulations, which are meant to support the implementation of the national gaming law and strengthen sector oversight. However, no timeline has been set for when, or if, online casino gaming will be formally introduced under a regulated framework.
The regulatory stance in Eswatini aligns with developments in neighbouring South Africa. The South African National Gambling Board recently reiterated that online casino gambling remains unlawful due to the absence of enabling legislation. Authorities in South Africa have maintained that current laws only permit limited forms of online betting, such as sports wagering, while prohibiting casino-style offerings.
The continued prohibition in both countries reflects broader regulatory caution across parts of Africa, where policymakers are weighing revenue opportunities against risks such as fraud, addiction and weak consumer protection mechanisms.
For operators in Eswatini, the existing framework restricts expansion into higher-revenue online casino products, while players rely on offshore or unregulated platforms to access such services, raising concerns over compliance and player safety.
What follows next will depend on legislative action. Without formal amendments to existing laws, both Eswatini and South Africa are expected to maintain their current positions, keeping online casino gambling outside the legal market while focusing on enforcement and regulatory clarity.
