The Botswana Gambling Authority (GA) has officially awarded ten bookmaker licenses in a push to expand and regulate the country’s gambling industry. Six of these operators have already launched, with one choosing to withdraw, and the remaining three expected to begin operations shortly. The announcement came during the launch of BetXplosion, one of the newly licensed operators, and reflects Botswana’s broader effort to stimulate the sector while enforcing responsible gambling standards.

Speaking at the event, GA Board chairman Marvin Torto highlighted the significance of this step in enhancing regulatory oversight and creating opportunities for local economic growth. “As part of our repositioning strategy as a facilitative regulator, we are intensifying stakeholder engagement, developing Botswana gambling standards and proactively working to reduce regulatory hurdles,” said Torto.

Employment growth and social safeguards:

The rapid licensing and rollout of new operators is already having a tangible economic impact. The GA reported that more than 400 jobs have already been generated through casinos and the freshly licensed bookmakers. Forward-looking estimates suggest that as many as 2,300 additional positions could be created across casinos, betting outlets, and Limited Payout Machines (LPMs).

Despite these positive indicators, Torto acknowledged the inherent risks linked to the growth of gambling activities, including underage participation, excessive betting behavior, and money laundering. He emphasized that the Authority will continue to enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding minors accessing gambling platforms. All operators, including BetXplosion, are required to implement robust access restrictions and real-time identity verification systems to prevent unauthorized participation.

To further bolster compliance and consumer protection, the regulator is encouraging operators to embrace advanced technologies. Torto specifically urged BetXplosion to integrate Artificial Intelligence tools capable of detecting unusual gambling behavior, identifying early signs of problem gambling, and generating alerts for anti-money laundering (AML) risks.

“We implore BetXplosion to go further by embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based monitoring tools to detect irregular player behavior patterns, flag potential problem gambling, and generate early-warning indicators for AML concerns,” he stated, as reported by Mmegi Online. “Leveraging AI will enhance your ability to protect both your business and your customers, and align with global best practices in gambling regulation.”

CSR commitments and responsible growth:

As part of its licensing agreement, BetXplosion has pledged to allocate no less than five percent of its Gross Gambling Revenue (GGR) annually to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts. These initiatives will support youth development, educational programming, sports, and health awareness campaigns. According to the Gambling Authority, these CSR goals are aligned with national development strategies and represent the kind of community engagement the regulator expects from all licensees.

The Authority will closely monitor these contributions through structured annual reporting and community feedback systems to ensure their effectiveness and accountability.

In tandem with licensing expansion, the GA is conducting a comprehensive national study aimed at understanding gambling prevalence across the country. This research will place particular focus on the rise of online gambling and the behavioral risks associated with it. Findings from this study are expected to guide future regulatory strategies and help implement stronger safeguards for players.

The development in Botswana aligns with a broader regional momentum toward formalizing gambling regulation, such as Brazil’s recent issuance of 21 permanent betting licenses by its Ministry of Finance. Botswana’s proactive measures place it among a growing number of jurisdictions prioritizing both economic opportunity and responsible gambling oversight.