Eswatini MPs seek gambling licence suspension pending new regulations
Lawmakers expressed worry over continued licence approvals without full regulations, saying it enables unregulated activities.
Eswatini.- Eswatini MPs have called for a halt in issuing new gambling operating licences until the Gaming Control Regulations are completed and presented to Parliament. The demand came during the final House of Assembly session of 2025 on December 18, where members debated the Gaming Control Act of 2022, which allows gambling but doesn’t outline clear rules for protecting players.
MPs quizzed Jane Mkhonta-Simelane, the Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs responsible for regulating the gambling sector, on when new regulations, including age restrictions, would be enforced. In her speech, Mkhonta-Simelane acknowledged the absence of detailed regulations in the 2022 Act and said her ministry is developing a framework from the ground up, with completion slated for 2026/27.
However, lawmakers expressed worry over continued licence approvals without full regulations. They said this creates gaps that allow unregulated activities, particularly affecting children who gain access to online betting platforms.
Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo welcomed the minister’s update as a sign of progress but criticised direct government involvement in regulation. He argued for an independent authority or parastatal to handle it, like in other countries. He said: “Gambling is a disease. If it is not properly regulated, it will destroy the country.” He also called for a full stop on new licences until regulations are ready.
Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini, Chair of the Portfolio Committee on Tourism, flagged concerns about online operators receiving bookmaker licences, which are meant for horse and dog racing, rather than specific interactive gaming ones. He noted: “From my understanding of the law, this means some operators have been wrongly licensed.”
Dlamini added that Parliament cannot provide proper oversight without the regulations. He also rejected claims that draft rules were already with his committee. He said: “It has been years since these regulations were expected to be completed, yet to date, they are still not in place. This limits proper control of the industry.”
MPs also questioned the sector’s financial gains for the country. Khumalo asked if Eswatini benefits enough and why it does not adopt stricter child protections, such as Australia’s blocks on minors accessing online sites. The government collected more than E9 million (€450,000) in levies from bookmakers and E48,000 (€2,400) in annual licence fees during the 2023/24 financial year. Exact figures on total gambling revenue or direct costs of addiction treatment in Eswatini are not publicly detailed, but the sector’s growth has raised concerns about social impacts alongside its economic contributions.
While a pause on licences might stall sector expansion and deter investors, MPs believe it could serve as a protective measure until complete rules are in place.
