Eswatini reports three self-exclusions in first quarter
The low number of registrations came under scrutiny from senators, who raised concerns about the adequacy of the safeguards currently used across the gambling sector.
Eswatini.- The Eswatini Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs has revealed that only three gamblers enrolled on the country’s national self-exclusion register between April and June 2026, prompting lawmakers to question the effectiveness of existing measures designed to protect vulnerable and underage people from gambling-related harm.
The figures were included in the ministry’s first-quarter financial year performance report, presented by Minister Jane Simelane during a recent parliamentary session. The report covers the period from April to June and outlines the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen controls across the country’s gambling sector.
According to the ministry, the three people who used the system during the quarter selected exclusion periods ranging from 12 months to two years. The low number of registrations came under scrutiny from senators, who raised concerns about the adequacy of the safeguards currently used across the gambling sector.
The ministry said the Gaming Control Act prohibits anyone below the age of 18 from gambling. Licensed gambling operators are also required to carry out age verification through Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, prevent unauthorised accounts from being used and provide mechanisms through which customers can exclude themselves from gambling services.
However, lawmakers questioned the practical and effective enforcement of these requirements, particularly on online gambling platforms.
Unlike land-based casinos, online gambling can be accessed through mobile phones and other personal devices without requiring an individual to enter a physical gambling venue. This creates additional challenges for parents, guardians and regulators seeking to establish whether minors are accessing gambling services.
The ministry said it is pursuing the procurement of a central monitoring system to strengthen regulatory oversight. The proposed system is expected to give authorities greater visibility across the gambling industry and improve their ability to identify and address cases involving underage gambling.
The government is also working to establish a gambling fund before the end of the current financial year. The fund is intended to support counselling services for people experiencing gambling-related problems, alongside public awareness initiatives focused on the risks associated with excessive gambling.
Illegal gambling operations
The ministry also faced questions from Senator Isaac Magagula about what lessons had been learnt from the reported influx of foreign nationals allegedly involved in illegal gambling activities.
Magagula questioned how the situation had developed and what weaknesses in the country’s regulatory system may have allowed such operations to emerge.
In response, the ministry said gambling licence applicants are ordinarily subjected to vetting by law enforcement authorities before their applications can proceed through the regulatory process. However, the individuals referenced in the senator’s question had not applied for licences or made representations to the ministry.
Consequently, the government had no licensing records relating to them, and their activities were being conducted outside the established legal framework.
The ministry said addressing the matter requires cooperation between multiple authorities. It also declined to comment on aspects of the case that remain before the courts.
Gaming regulations move forward
Alongside its work on gambling oversight and responsible gambling measures, the government reported progress in developing regulations to support the implementation of Eswatini’s gaming legislation.
The ministry said the draft Gaming Regulations underwent a validation process involving government officials and representatives of the gambling industry. The consultation was intended to examine the proposed rules and make necessary refinements before they are finalised.
The first validation workshop took place in May, while the final validation session was completed during the first week of July.
The ministry described the completion of the consultation process as a significant step towards putting the country’s gaming legislative framework into operation. It also called for parliamentary support for the promulgation of the regulations.
The regulatory work is taking place alongside plans for the central monitoring system and gambling fund, giving the government several mechanisms through which it intends to strengthen oversight, improve compliance and expand support for people affected by gambling-related harm.
The ministry also stressed that parents and guardians have a role to play in preventing minors from gambling, particularly by monitoring children’s online activities and access to gambling services.
