Eswatini operators seek clarity on self-exclusion rules under new draft regulations
The new rules do not prescribe a mandatory exclusion period.
Eswatini.- Licensed gambling operators in Eswatini have urged authorities to provide clearer guidance on self-exclusion procedures, raising concerns that the proposed gaming regulations do not specify how long individuals should remain barred from gambling after requesting exclusion.
The issue emerged during a stakeholder consultation on draft regulations intended to support the implementation of the country’s Gaming Control Act. Government officials, industry representatives and other stakeholders met at Sibane Sami Hotel in Ezulwini to review the proposed framework.
Participants questioned how operators should handle situations where a customer requests self-exclusion but later seeks to resume gambling within a short period. Officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs indicated that the draft regulations do not prescribe a mandatory exclusion period and that certain decisions may be handled on a case-by-case basis. The ministry said the Gaming Board would be responsible for informing operators when an individual has been placed on the self-exclusion register.
Under the proposed regulations, a gambler or a third party would be permitted to apply for a person to be excluded from gambling activities. The Gaming Board would maintain a register of excluded individuals, preventing them from entering licensed gambling venues or participating in regulated gaming activities. Those seeking reinstatement would be required to apply for removal from the register.
The draft framework also proposes penalties for breaches of exclusion orders: people who enter gambling premises or participate in gaming activities while excluded could face a fine of up to E2,000 (US$123) or imprisonment for up to two years.
The government has been under pressure from lawmakers to finalise the regulations amid concerns about regulatory gaps and the growth of digital gambling activity. The Gaming Board has confirmed that online casino-style gambling remains illegal in Eswatini, and the country’s four registered gaming operators currently hold bookmaker-only licences, meaning they are authorised to offer sports betting but not online casino products such as slots or virtual table games.
The proposed regulations also seek to address administrative challenges affecting licensing. Nonophile Mavuso, ministry legal advisor, said the absence of prescribed fees in certain areas has slowed the processing of new licence applications and renewals, creating uncertainty for operators and applicants. Mavuso said the new regulations include a detailed fee schedule designed to improve efficiency and provide greater transparency for the industry.
