Botswana’s Gambling Authority is supporting Namibia’s efforts to establish a regulated and licensed betting industry by sharing its experience in bookmaker licensing, gambling regulatory oversight and responsible gambling.

The Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Moruntshi Kemorwale, and Chief Operations Officer, Mopati Rammekwa, participated in the Gambling Board of Namibia’s (GBN) Industry Consultation Workshop on the Licensing of Bookmakers and Totalizators, held at the Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management (NIPAM) in Windhoek.

The engagement provided Namibia with insights into Botswana’s regulatory reforms as the country works to formalize its betting sector, strengthen oversight and address illegal gambling activities.

During the workshop, Kemorwale highlighted the reported impact of Botswana’s licensing framework, revealing that betting revenue had increased from BWP 240 million to BWP 1.3 billion, with projections of BWP 1.5 billion for the current financial year.

He also reported a decline in illegal gambling accounts from more than one million before licensing to approximately 40,000. Meanwhile, the prevalence of problem gambling fell from 5% in 2020 to 3.4% in 2025.

The figures highlight Botswana’s experience in developing a regulated betting market while addressing the need for stronger player protection and responsible gambling measures.

By sharing its regulatory knowledge and implementation experience, the Gambling Authority aims to support regional cooperation and help neighboring jurisdictions develop frameworks suited to their local markets.

The engagement also reflects the Authority’s commitment to working with regulators and industry stakeholders internationally to promote effective gambling regulation, responsible participation and safer communities.

Botswana’s experience is expected to provide practical lessons for Namibia as it advances efforts to license bookmakers and totalizators and strengthen governance of its betting industry.