21 Aug 2024

The Gambling Authority (GA) will issue two gambling establishment route operator licenses and 60 independent site operators at a minimum citizen shareholding of 40 per cent in the next seven days.

It had received 16 applications for gambling establishment licenses from seven companies comprising four gambling establishment route operators and 12 site operators.

Speaking during the public hearing held in Gaborone on Tuesday August 20, the GA Board chairperson, Mr Marvin Torto said it is upon citizens who will be afforded an opportunity to enter into partnership arrangements with companies, which have been licensed as route operators to introduce gambling operations in their businesses.

Mr Torto said only route operators will be licensed to roll-out 500 Limited Payout Machines (LPMs) each with minimum citizen shareholding participation of 40 per cent, citing that the machines were to be installed in liquor restaurants, bars, pubs, hotels, guest houses and taverns opened throughout the country.

He reiterated that there were 900 LMPs set aside for another type of a gambling establishment license called an independent site.

Mr Torto said these were sites, which will be allowed to operate 15 LPM’s independent of a route operator and 60 of these types of licenses, would be made available at a minimum citizen shareholding participation of 40 per cent.

He added that citizens may still submit applications for this type of licence after these public hearings, in determined areas and district to allow an equitable spread of these opportunities countrywide.

“We are committed to empowerment of citizens and appreciate the challenge with shortage of the required knowledge and skills to operate this type of business and will allow foreign participation purely for consideration of skills transfer and investment in Botswana,” he said.

Mr Torto said their endeavour was to promote participation of citizens in these licences and they would be monitoring all elements of possible fronting and will ensure that there was effective shareholding by citizens in the companies licensed for these operations.

He further said all contracts entered into between foreign companies and citizens were carefully analyzed and approved before commencement of business operations.

Mr Torto said the board of the GA was required in terms of Regulation 68 to hold these hearings to consider the applications submitted, the comments and objections from the public, which were lodged during the application phase and ask questions for clarifications.

He said the process carefully followed notices that were published inviting public comments and objections.

Mr Torto said there was an objection lodged by one company against applicants for Route Operator licences, which would be processed by the board at these public hearings. Ends