Members of Parliament in Eswatini are calling on the government to halt the issuance of new gambling operating licences until comprehensive Gaming Control Regulations are finalized and presented to Parliament. This request was made during the final House of Assembly session of 2025 on December 18, as lawmakers discussed the Gaming Control Act of 2022.
While this Act legalizes gambling, it lacks detailed rules to protect players, especially vulnerable groups. MPs questioned Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Mkhonta-Simelane, who is responsible for the gambling sector, about the timeline for implementing critical regulations, including age restrictions and online gaming controls.
In response, the minister acknowledged that the 2022 Act does not provide adequate regulatory detail and stated that her ministry is developing a comprehensive framework from scratch, with completion expected in the 2026/27 financial year. However, lawmakers expressed strong concern about the continued approval of gambling licences in the absence of proper regulations. They warned that this regulatory gap allows unmonitored activities to thrive, particularly online betting platforms that can be easily accessed by minors.
Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo welcomed the minister’s update but criticized the government’s direct involvement in regulating the industry. He advocated for the establishment of an independent regulatory authority or parastatal, akin to models used in other countries. Describing gambling as a serious social threat, Khumalo stated, “Gambling is a disease. If it is not properly regulated, it will destroy the country.” He also firmly supported halting the issuance of new licences until the regulations are fully established.
Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini, Chair of the Portfolio Committee on Tourism, raised further concerns regarding licensing practices. He pointed out that some online gambling operators have been given bookmaker licences intended for horse and dog racing, rather than for interactive or online gaming. “From my understanding of the law, this means some operators have been wrongly licensed,” Dlamini asserted.
Dlamini emphasized that Parliament cannot effectively oversee the industry without formal regulations. He dismissed claims that draft regulations had already been submitted to his committee, stating, “It has been years since these regulations were expected to be completed, yet to date, they are still not in place. This limits proper control of the industry.”
Lawmakers also questioned whether the country is receiving adequate economic benefits from gambling. Khumalo asked if Eswatini gains enough revenue from the sector and why stricter child-protection measures similar to Australia’s online access blocks for minors have not been adopted. Government figures indicate that Eswatini collected more than E9 million (€450,000) in levies from bookmakers and E48,000 (€2,400) in annual license fees during the 2023/24 financial year.
However, detailed data on total gambling revenue and the costs of treating gambling addiction are not publicly available. While the industry continues to grow, MPs cautioned that its social consequences may outweigh its economic contributions. Although suspending new licenses could slow industry expansion and discourage investment, lawmakers believe that a temporary halt is necessary to protect the public until clear and enforceable regulations are in place.
