01 Feb 2017

The Gambling Authority Botswana will this year issue a number of gambling licenses.

Speaking at a press briefing in Gaborone recently, Gambling Authority CEO, Mr Thuli Johnson said the board, as assigned by the Minister of Investment Trade and

Industry, Mr Vincent Seretse, had approved the issuing of some licenses for the gambling industry.

“There are a number of licenses that we will be issuing this year, one being casinos, lottery, book making specifically sports betting and bingo,” he said.

Mr Johnson said the authority was finalising the documentation with respect to a request for application process.

”In order to obtain a license no entity can apply directly unless we have issued an invitation for a specific license,“ he said.

He further said in terms of the roll out of casinos, already there were existing casinos in Gaborone, Jwaneng, Selebi Phikwe, Lobatse and Palapye. “Two new licenses will be issued in Gaborone, two in Palapye, one in Maun while Kasane will get one or more licenses based on its population,” he said.

Mr Johnson said one license would be issued for the national lottery, but with respect to sports betting and bingo there would be stand-alone operators and combine operators.

He said the authority would publish invitations for the public to apply for licenses through the Request for Application process which will set out the requirements for each of the license type and locations of the said licenses.

He said the application times, processing times and guidelines for each licence type will be contained in the RFA. BOPA