Eswatini’s George Hotel denies illegality claims as gaming machines remain under review
The hotel’s General Manager said the project has followed a long regulatory path dating back to 2010.
Eswatini.- The George Hotel in Manzini has rejected allegations of regulatory non-compliance after 39 gambling machines linked to its planned casino project were placed under embargo by the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS), pending verification under national gaming laws.
The embargo follows concerns that the machines may have been imported without fully adhering to procedures outlined in the Gaming Control Act of 2022, which regulates the licensing, importation and operation of gambling equipment in Eswatini.
However, the hotel’s General Manager, Solomon Bright Kumi, said the project has followed a long regulatory path dating back to 2010, when the establishment received a provisional licence from the Eswatini Gaming Board. According to Kumi, the licence comes with specific conditions, including infrastructure upgrades and operational readiness, which must be met before casino approval is granted.
Kumi said the hotel met these conditions by expanding its accommodation capacity to 110 rooms and increasing parking from the required 39 bays to 142. Following these developments, the hotel received approval to import gaming machines, with 103 units subsequently installed on-site.
He added that the machines have undergone multiple inspections by the Gaming Board, including a recent review involving a ministerial committee. This process led to the issuance of a provisional operational licence valid for two years, although the casino has not yet commenced full operations.
The project is currently in a preparatory phase, with more than 50 individuals undergoing training as casino dealers. The hotel expects to employ up to 150 people at launch, with projections rising to 300 jobs once fully operational. Management says the initiative aligns with broader efforts to expand Eswatini’s tourism and entertainment offerings, particularly in attracting regional visitors.
Legal adviser Sipho Matse dismissed allegations linking the project to illegal online gambling activities and recent fraud cases involving foreign nationals. He said the casino development is a separate, regulated venture and warned against conflating it with unrelated criminal investigations.
Matse also confirmed the involvement of foreign investors, noting that all parties underwent the required vetting processes.
The ERS review is ongoing, and the outcome will determine whether the embargo is lifted or further regulatory action is taken.
