The Botswana Gambling Authority has outlined its regulatory priorities for 2026 following a media briefing in Gaborone. The briefing was held at the Avani Hotel on Thursday, 15 January, and brought together journalists and industry experts. The session reaffirmed the regulator’s commitment to fair, safe, and responsible gambling amid sustained sector growth.
The Acting Chief Executive Officer, Moruntshi Kemorwale, addressed the media regarding the Authority’s dynamic approach in regulation and restated its commitment to consumer protection as part of its overall mandate.
A decade of regulation and public protection
Speaking of milestones achieved in the last ten years of the Botswana Authority’s existence, Kemorwale highlighted, “A major achievement for us is the National Responsible Gambling Programme, which has resulted in a decrease in problem gambling from 5 percent in 2020 to 3.4 percent in 2025. Another major success story for us is Motshameko o Phepha, which has already targeted 173 out of 500 targeted sites in only two and a half months. During the current year, we have stepped up public education countrywide through roadshows, leaflets, social influencers, and other community outreach activities.”
Commitment to integrity and deliberate regulation
Kemorwale highlighted the regulatory approach of the Authority in the briefing. “This year, we celebrate a decade of the Gambling Authority – ten years of protecting the public, regulating the industry, and ensuring that gambling contributes positively to our nation.” “Our work is deliberate, not accidental.” “We are here to safeguard the public interest and promote integrity in an industry that has grown faster than many anticipated.” The Authority made it clear again that the promotion of enforcement and education should move ahead side by side.
Crackdown on illegal gambling promotion
A primary focus for 2026 will be action against influencers promoting illegal gambling. Botswana Gambling Authority plans to implement more stringent measures targeting unlawful endorsements and misleading advertising.
Kemorwale warned that such practices undermine consumer trust and regulatory objectives. He stated, “These individuals operate illegally, misleading people with false promises of wealth.”
“This is wrong,” he added. “We are working closely with the police to put an end to it.” He confirmed that enforcement actions are already underway. “We recently apprehended one, and he has since apologised,” Kemorwale noted.
Regulatory updates & technology safeguards
The Authority is also updating its strategic approach to regulation in order to keep up with new gaming technology, including a review of policies to deal with new risks associated with digital gambling. This update includes improving safeguards and consumer protection policies, and a proposal to introduce a central electronic monitoring system to counter risks.
Balancing growth and responsibility
However, the Authority recognised Botswana’s fast-growing gaming industry, where gambling revenue is expected to hit P1 billion (€64.3 million) this year. Nevertheless, the Authority maintained a strong position on the need for compliance in enforcement and licensing. Kemorwale ended the discussion by saying, “We are not here to punish by default.” “We are here to guide, engage, and build capacity to ensure operators do right by the public.”
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