25 Oct 2017

Botswana Gambling Authority has been praised for its modern approach to corporate governance and being proactive in its oversight of the gambling industry in the country.

Speaking during a tour of the Gambling Authority office in Gaborone on October 24, Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Biggie Butale said he had been impressed by the organisational structure of the authority.

“Wherever I go, I lower my expectations then appreciate the place for what it is. But I must say I have been genuinely impressed by what I have seen here. 

There is a youthful staff composition, a visionary board that operates paperless meetings with the use of modern computers and Internet technology to share communication,” Mr Butale said.

He encouraged the staff of the authority to take advantage of working in the environment, saying it was conducive for their future development as employees.

“About 60 per cent of Botswana’s population is under the age of 35 years, so this institution is a good representation of the country’s demographics. Take advantage of this time working in such an institution. 

I believe that if you set your mind to it, you can move to greater heights and take the country to another level,” Mr Butale said.

For his part, the Gambling Authority chief executive officer (CEO), Mr Thuli Johnson said his institution, established by an act of Parliament in 2012, has a staff complement of 50 staff members, including five interns.

“Sixty-six per cent of our staff is aged 35 years and below, 34 per cent are above 35 years, 64 per cent are female, 36 per cent male. 

Many are first time employees, that the authority is their first employer, and we took a deliberate step to assist young people to get jobs and train them for this institution. 

When we in the leadership retire, we want to leave behind capable employees who can take over,” Mr Johnson said.

He said his institution has been working on issuing casino licenses, and that they have issued two in Gaborone and one each in Palapye, Maun and Kasane.

“We are now working on introducing the national lotto, sports gambling which would be new to Botswana as well as Bingo. Gambling must be done responsibly because it has potential harmful effects. In this country we have stipulated that the legal age of gambling is 21 years instead of 18 years as it is the case in many other states,” Mr Johnson explained.

He further said they want Batswana to be involved as shareholders and in management positions of the gambling business which would contribute to citizen economic empowerment. ENDS