According to the latest data from the Botswana Gambling Authority, the total monthly betting amount in the country has reached 150 million Pula, with over 220,000 participants, indicating a rapid expansion of the gambling industry, especially online sports betting nationwide. However, behind the boom, issues such as gambling addiction and the proliferation of illegal platforms are gradually emerging, causing widespread public concern.
Currently, about 550,000 people in Botswana participate in gambling activities, but only 40% of the betting is conducted through legal licensed platforms, with most users still active on unregulated illegal online channels. Peter Kaseetilwe, CEO of the Gambling Authority, pointed out that illegal platforms not only cause loss of national tax revenue but also pose a serious threat to consumer rights. He expects that if the current trend continues, the annual gross income from legal gambling could reach 180 million Pula; if illegal betting can be successfully redirected to compliant platforms, the industry's annual total output value could even exceed 450 million Pula.
Although the overall size of Botswana's gambling market is still smaller than some neighboring countries, its per capita betting activity is among the highest in Southern Africa, showing strong growth potential. With the entry of international and local platforms such as Betway, Sunbet Botswana, and PSBET, gambling content has extended from traditional sports events to diverse areas such as esports, further stimulating the increase in betting amounts. Many users have developed from initial "small-scale testing" to placing bets of up to tens of thousands of Pula, as citizen Lanton Noah stated, "After winning prizes, the betting amounts tend to grow larger and larger."
The gambling demographic is not limited to young people; middle-aged and older users also actively participate due to the convenience of operation, with some even using their pensions or savings for high-risk betting, leading to frequent family conflicts and social issues. For this reason, the Gambling Authority has initiated a nationwide survey to assess the addiction risks and economic impacts of gambling behavior.
Facing the explosive growth of the industry, the government is revising the "2002 Gambling Policy" and the "2012 Gambling Act," proposing to lower the legal gambling age from 21 to 18 and introduce anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing clauses to strengthen the regulation of the digital gambling sector. Kaseetilwe emphasized that only by combining improved legislation, enhanced compliant operations, and public education can Botswana's gambling industry achieve truly sustainable and healthy development.
