08 Aug 2018

The Gambling Authority of Botswana will host Gaming Regulators Africa Forum (GRAF) conference from August 26-29 in Gaborone.

Briefing the media on August 7, Gambling Authority chief executive officer, Mr Thuli Johnson said the conference would be officially opened by Minister of Trade, Investment and Industry, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo.

He said it was a great feat for the authority to be hosting the conference considering that they commenced operations in April 2016, and that hosting the event showed achievement and growth.

He said the conference would be held under the theme: The socio-economic impact of harmonised gaming regulation in the era of rapid technological advancement.

Mr Johnson said the forum comprised of national gambling regulators from the continent, specifically Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.   

Membership is open to all gambling jurisdictions on the African continent and each member jurisdiction carries one voting right at forum meetings and annual general meetings.

He said the forum guards’ communities and citizens through adherence of gaming regulatory laws applicable to each jurisdiction. 

Furthermore, he said it aligned matters that affected the industry and ensured that Africa and the sub-Sahara region did not become dumping grounds for old and degenerating gaming technologies. 

He also said it implemented initiatives that were aimed at curbing problem gambling and ensured counselling and education to the affected. ENDS