20 Jan 2020

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

Speaking at a press briefing in Gaborone recently, Gambling Authority (GA) CEO, Mr Thulisizwe Johnson said a license was issued for the Botswana’s first national lottery, and in 2017 when in the process of awarding the license, the matter was challenged by one bidder, an appeal which was however won by the authority.

Mr Johnson said the authority was ready to award the licence of the Botswana National Lottery during the first quarter of 2020.

On  licensing of casinos in the four locations advertised: Gaborone, Palapye, Maun and Kasane, Mr Johnson said one application was received and the license had been awarded to a local company called Scenic Adventures and would operate a casino at Masa Centre, in Gaborone’s CBD.

 The casino will operate up to 130 slot machines and 11 tables, and is expected to employ 130 persons.

He explained that there had been two applications for a transfer of license as per section 44(1) of the act.

The two casino being Kings Casino which is set to operate in Cumberland Hotel and will continue operating 50 EGM’s and 4 tables while Moonlite casino will transfer from Gaborone Hotel to Airport Junction Mall increasing the slot machines from 53 to 122 slot and 10 table.

Mr Johnson also said they had reviewed, approved and licensed 231 casino industry employees.

“There are a number of licenses that would be issued this year, one being licensing of service providers for any company to be able to sell, lease, distribute, import, maintain, repair, test any gambling machine or device required to register with the Authority,” he said.

In addition he said in the matter of responsible gaming they had recently awarded a contract to a citizen company to carry out a baseline study on the prevalence of problem of gambling in Botswana. ENDS