Manzini’s George Hotel casino reopens under provisional gaming licence
The casino has recorded steady visitor traffic, including local patrons and guests from South Africa and Mozambique.
Eswatini.- The George Hotel in Manzini has resumed casino operations after receiving a provisional licence, allowing it to operate under regulatory supervision until 2028. The move has introduced structured gaming activity within the hotel precinct, alongside increased visitor traffic and compliance monitoring.
The licence was issued on April 14 after a final inspection by regulators, following a visit by a parliamentary select committee and the Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs on April 10. Before granting approval, the Eswatini Gaming Control Board set conditions covering compliance monitoring, approval of gaming equipment and responsible gambling requirements.
Since opening, the casino has recorded steady visitor traffic, including local patrons and guests from South Africa and Mozambique. The gaming area includes slot machines and table games, with staff positioned on the floor to supervise activity and support customers. The casino operates on a 24-hour basis and is integrated into the hotel’s broader services.
Management said the project includes an expansion of hotel facilities, increasing room capacity from 80 to 110 and parking spaces from 38 to 142. The gaming floor hosts 103 machines that have undergone regulatory inspection.
The casino currently has 60 local employees in training and expects to expand staffing to around 150 after full operational approval is secured. Management stated that the project will support employment and skills development within Manzini’s hospitality and gaming labour market.
The development has previously faced allegations of unauthorised gambling activity, regulatory breaches and issues related to gaming equipment imports, with legal processes still ongoing. Despite this, the provisional licence allows continued operations under regulatory oversight. Further expansion and full stabilisation of the casino will depend on ongoing compliance reviews and decisions by the gaming regulator.
