Online Gambling in Botswana
Like most new millenniums, the 21st millennium ushered in great innovation. This innovation referenced here is the advent of the internet. With it, the internet also brought many other innovations which include online gambling.
Just two decades into the new millennium, the world has experienced a massive boom in online gambling something which has necessitated hundreds of betting sites to emerge and many nations to legalise online gambling. The boom has prompted a significant surge in global online gambling revenue with the Business Research Company valuing the gambling industry at $449,04 billion in 2022.
Considering the huge revenue figures in the global online gambling industry, the question that individuals from many countries ask is just how much their countries are benefiting from online gambling. What portion of the cake are they getting? Well, when it comes to the nation of Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana, all the questions that pertain to the country’s online gambling status are answered and explored here. Just spare a few moments to check out this detailed guide.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Botswana?
The question – Is online gambling legal in Botswana – plainly put is just straightforward. The bizarre thing however is that this seemingly straightforward question doesn’t have a straightforward Yes or No answer. The answer to this question lies in a grey area. To understand this ‘grey area’, let’s check out what the Botswana gambling laws say.
2012 was a watershed year in Botswana’s gambling history, legal-wise. Before 2012, two laws guided gambling in the country. Namely, these were the Lotteries and Betting Act of 1961 and the Casino Act of 1971. These two were repealed in 2012 paving the way for the Gambling Act. Surprisingly though, The Gambling Act was promulgated after the Minister of Industry and Finance had said the existing gambling laws needed to be amended as they were ‘outdated and inadequate’ but still, the new law failed to address the legality of online gambling which at the time was already a big thing globally.
Among its many provisions, the Gambling Act created a body to regulate and oversee all gambling activities in the country. This body is officially known as The Botswana Gambling Authority. The Gambling Authority officially commenced its operations on 1 April 2016. As the gambling regulator in Botswana, The Gambling Authority is entrusted with:
- Regulating and controlling the development of gambling establishments in Botswana;
- Defining areas in which gambling establishments may be established and operated with the approval of the Minister;
- Receiving, considering and deciding on applications for licenses, to verify information contained in or submitted therein and to issue, refuse, suspend or revoke licenses;
- Receiving, considering and deciding on applications for the transfer of licenses;
- Ensuring that sums of money as may be due by licensees are duly paid and accounted for; and
- Ensuring that licensees maintain gambling establishments in respect of which they are licensed, to the standards set out in the Act, thereby ensuring safe and fair gambling throughout Botswana.
Looking at the above core functions of The Gambling Authority and all other provisions in The Gambling Act, two words are strongly mentioned that is, gambling establishments (premises) and gambling licenses. The strong emphasis of these two words as well as the absence of ‘online gambling’ means that The Gambling Act is silent on online gambling.
The mere fact that Botswana’s Gambling Act is silent when it comes to online gambling means online gambling’s legal status in the country lies in a grey area. It’s neither permitted nor prohibited. Those interested in engaging in online gambling can therefore do so albeit with nowhere to seek recourse if they don’t do due diligence in picking the right and trustworthy online betting sites to settle at.
List of the top Botswana Betting sites
Can Botswana Citizens Play at Offshore Betting Sites?
As The Gambling Authority of Botswana which is tasked with regulating and overseeing gambling operations in the country does not recognise and permit online gambling nor does it prohibit it, it means Botswana citizens at their own risk can play at offshore betting sites. To protect their identity, data including sensitive financial data and the money itself (deposited funds), it’s important for them to verify the authenticity and trustworthiness of the sites they want to play at. Some key considerations include:
- Avoid VPNs: Though offshore, some sites may not launch when one is based within the Botswana borders. Mostly, this is because of licensing stipulations. In such a case, players should refrain from using VPNs to access such sites. If detected to be using a VPN, most sites will instantly block the account and any funds available are forfeited.
- Only Play if You Are of Legal Age: All betting sites have a minimum age that they require from players. Mostly it’s 18 years but at times it’s 21 years. To prevent future challenges including possible funds forfeiture, always adhere to the age requirements
- Check the Licensing Details and Other Security Protocols: Authentic betting sites are licensed and regulated by reputable gambling regulators. As such, always ensure that the site you want to play at is licensed. Moreover, you also need to consider other security protocols chief among them the use of SSL bit encryption technology as well as any independent game auditors
- Check Ratings and reviews from Third Parties and Casino/Sportsbook Review Sites: Whether new or old, the casino you want to play at will already have several other people who played there before. These people will have better first-hand insights into the operations of the site. As such, always check what other past players have to say by checking casino/sportsbook review sites. You can also make use of professional sites such as AskGamblers which have a panel of experts that independently rate and review casinos.
What Are the Online Gambling Services That Botswana Citizens Can Indulge In?
Well, perhaps the major advantage of playing at offshore casinos and sportsbooks is that you can indulge in any gambling service you want. There aren’t any restrictions which limit players from accessing any games they prefer. This therefore means all of the following can be enjoyed by Botswana players.
- Casino Games: Players can enjoy any type of casino game they want. This may range from online slots, scratch cards, crash games, table and card games, TV Games as well as live dealer games
- Sportsbetting: Those who are interested in placing sports bets can also do so on a variety of sports which include football, the most loved sport in the country. Bets can also be placed on eSports (professional video games) and virtual games (simulated sports events mimicking real-life sports)
- Bingo & Lottery: Those who are good with numbers as well as those who are after one big life-changing win can pick their favourite lucky numbers by playing lotteries from all over the world
- Novelty Betting: Those who follow global politics, economics, entertainment news or even weather forecasts can place novelty bets on their favourite events and stand a chance of winning big.
What Does the Future of Online Gambling in Botswana Look Like?
In Terms of Legislation: At the present moment, there aren’t any rumblings in the high offices in Botswana about the possibility of explicitly permitting or prohibiting online gambling. Anything that has to do with gambling in the country is restricted to brick-and-mortar casinos. The prediction at this moment therefore is that online gambling will remain in a grey area.
In an interview in 2016, the CEO of Botswana’s Gambling Authority Thulisizwe Johnson said, “Anyone wishing to be involved in any other kind of betting, including SMS and online, will need to be registered and licensed with the authority first.” This gave hope to many that maybe some movements with regards to legalising online gambling were in the offing but 8 years later, that hasn’t been the case. The Gambling Authority has not updated its core functions and still regulates and licenses ‘established’ (land-based) casinos only.
In Terms of Numbers Involved: Perhaps the major positive going into the future is that the numbers involved in online gambling in Botswana will continue to rise. This is largely necessitated by a significant rise in Botswana’s internet penetration rate. When the Gambling Act came into force, the country’s internet penetration rate was below 30%. As of 2022 however, the internet penetration rate now stands at 60%. This has inadvertently led to an increase in the number of Botswana citizens engaging in online gambling. The trend is likely going to continue going into the future. Perhaps, if the trend continues, the authorities in Botswana will be forced to embrace and legalise online gambling so they can earn revenue from online gambling via taxes.