The Botswana Gambling Authority says it has issued 10 bookmaker Online Gambling license, marking a significant milestone in the formalization of the country’s gambling industry. According to the country’s gambling regulator, six licensees have already commenced operations while one has withdrawn with the remaining three expected to start operating soon.

Speaking at the BetXplosion launch on Friday, GA Board chairman, Marvin Torto said this development is seen as a major stride towards regulating the gambling sector, promoting responsible betting and creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

“As part of our repositioning strategy as a facilitative regulator, we are intensifying stakeholder engagement, developing Botswana gambling standards and proactively working to reduce regulatory hurdles,” he said.

The sector’s positive growth trajectory is already bearing fruit with over 400 jobs already created through casinos and newly licensed bookmakers. Projections indicate that more than 2,300 jobs could be generated across casinos, betting outlets and Limited Payout Machines (LPMs) in the near future.

However, Torto said they are aware of the social risks that accompany an expanding gambling industry, adding that underage gambling, excessive wagering and money laundering are real threats that require proactive mitigation. He said the Authority maintains a zero-tolerance stance on underage gambling and has directed all operators, including BetXplosion, to enforce strict access controls and conduct real-time identity verification to prevent children and vulnerable persons from participating.

“We implore BetXplosion to go further by embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based monitoring tools to detect irregular player behavior patterns, flag potential problem gambling, and generate early-warning indicators for AML concerns,” Torto said. “Leveraging AI will enhance your ability to protect both your business and your customers and align with global best practices in gambling regulation.”