The Eswatini government has said it will table the country’s long awaited Gaming Act Regulations during the third quarter of the current financial year after lawmakers questioned delays in finalising the framework despite the Gaming Act already being in force.
Tourism and Environmental Affairs Minister Jane Simelane announced the timeline during a parliamentary session. She was responding to questions from Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo, who asked why gaming licences continued to be issued before the regulations had been finalised.
Parliament raises concerns over delays
During the debate, Khumalo said the absence of supporting regulations meant the Gaming Act was operating without its full legal framework. He questioned why licence applications continued to be processed before the regulations had been approved.
Simelane told Parliament that the draft regulations had already been prepared but required further stakeholder consultations because of what she described as the complexity of the gaming industry. She said a validation workshop that began on 16 June had not been completed because participants were still considering several issues, including the proposed schedule of fees.
The minister said the regulations would be tabled during the third quarter of the current financial year. Speaker Jabulani Mabuza noted the minister’s assurance during the parliamentary proceedings.
Draft regulations under review
The parliamentary update follows stakeholder consultations held in June on the draft regulations.
According to Independent News Eswatini, Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Legal Advisor Nonophile Mavuso said the draft regulations include a schedule of fees for licence applications and renewals. She said the absence of prescribed fees had delayed the processing of applications and renewals by the Ministry and the Gaming Board.
Mavuso said the draft regulations set out procedures for implementing the Gaming Act and do not introduce new licence categories. The draft also includes provisions covering licensing and compliance requirements for regulated gambling operators.
Responsible gambling proposals discussed
During the June consultations, officials and industry representatives discussed proposed responsible gambling measures, including self-exclusion provisions that would allow players to voluntarily exclude themselves from gambling through a framework administered by the Gaming Board. Stakeholders also discussed how self-exclusion periods would apply if the regulations are adopted.
The responsible gambling measures remain under consultation as part of the draft regulations. Once tabled, the regulations will be considered by Parliament. If adopted, they will set out the procedures for implementing the Gaming Act, including licensing fees, licence administration and regulatory requirements for Eswatini’s gambling sector.
Background
Eswatini’s gambling sector is regulated under the Gaming Control Act, 2022, which sets out the legal framework for licensing and regulating gambling activities. However, several provisions of the Act require supporting regulations to establish administrative procedures, including licensing fees, licence applications, renewals and compliance requirements. The government has been developing those regulations through stakeholder consultations led by the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs.
This version is factual, concise, and suitable for a news article. It avoids opinion, speculation and promotional language while providing readers with the necessary legislative context.
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