Eswatini government plans gaming fund to tackle gambling addiction
The fund will provide structured support and resources for people experiencing gambling addiction.
Eswatini.- The Eswatini government has announced plans to establish a dedicated gaming fund aimed at helping individuals battling gambling addiction, following concerns over how gaming revenues are being used.
Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Jane Mkhonta-Simelane, revealed the proposal while responding to Members of Parliament during discussions on the Ministry’s 2025/26 annual performance report. The disclosure came in response to questions from MP Welcome Dlamini on whether proceeds from gaming levies are being used to support individuals affected by gambling-related harm.
Mkhonta-Simelane said all gaming levies are presently paid into the Government Consolidated Fund, with no dedicated allocation for addiction support. However, consultations with the Ministry of Finance are expected to lead to the creation of a legally mandated gaming fund. The fund will provide structured support and resources for people experiencing gambling addiction, marking a policy shift towards reinvesting industry revenue into social interventions.
On regulation, the Minister confirmed that the Gaming Control Regulations are still under stakeholder consultation, with six consultation workshops held to date. She said the new rules are expected to be finalised in the 2026/27 financial year. Pending completion, authorities have suspended new licence approvals, with only four existing licences renewed under stricter oversight.
The update comes as Eswatini continues to refine its regulatory framework following gaps identified in the Gaming Act of 2022, which primarily addressed land-based gambling. A parliamentary motion passed in 2025 to legalise and regulate online gambling is now guiding ongoing reforms.
To address addiction risks, the government is maintaining a self-exclusion programme that allows individuals to voluntarily block access to gambling services. While the system is functioning in land-based casinos, the Minister noted limitations in applying similar controls online. Authorities are engaging with the Gaming Board to identify service providers capable of implementing digital self-exclusion tools. So far, more than 27 individuals have joined the existing programme.
