The Botswana Gambling Authority (GA) has issued ten gambling licenses, marking progress in the regulation of the country's gambling industry.
According to the authority, six licensed institutions have started operations. One has withdrawn, and the remaining three are expected to start operations at an appropriate time.
The GA reports that casinos and newly licensed gambling companies have created over 400 jobs. Forecasts indicate that casinos, betting stations, and Limited Payout Machines (LPM) could create up to 2300 jobs in the near future.
As part of its licensing obligations, BetXplosion has committed to allocating at least 5% of its annual gambling revenue to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. These activities will focus on youth programs, education, sports, and health awareness initiatives.
The GA is conducting a national study on gambling prevalence, including online gambling and high-risk behaviors, the results of which will inform future regulatory decisions and risk mitigation strategies.
GA Board Chairman Marvin Torto stated: "As part of our strategy to reposition ourselves as a facilitative regulatory authority, we are enhancing stakeholder engagement, setting Botswana gambling standards, and actively working to reduce regulatory barriers.
"We urge BetXplosion to go further by adopting AI-based monitoring tools to detect irregular player behavior patterns, flag potential gambling issues, and generate early warning indicators for anti-money laundering issues.
"Utilizing artificial intelligence will enhance your ability to protect your business and customers, and align with global best practices in gambling regulation."
This progress in Botswana comes as the Brazilian Ministry of Finance recently issued 21 new final gambling licenses, highlighting a broader trend of regulatory normalization in the gambling sector in the region.
