Botswana’s National Assembly has approved the Gambling (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which lowers the legal gambling age from 21 to 18, while updating the regulatory framework for the growing sector. The bill passed its third reading on August 13, following discussions during the second reading and detailed examination in committee. The legislation has not yet received presidential assent, nor has it taken effect.
Should it become law, the amendment will revise the Gambling Authority Act (Cap. 19:03), and its provisions will commence on a date set by the minister through an official publication in the Government Gazette.
The proposed age change attracted significant debate among members of parliament. Some opposition MPs stressed retaining the age limit at 21, arguing that a lower limit could expose younger individuals to gambling addiction. However, the Assembly maintained Clause 2, which modifies the legal age from “21” to “18.” This change aligns the gambling age with Botswana's general age of majority, which is already 18 years.
Advocates for the amendment argued that individuals aged 18 to 20 are recognized as adults in various aspects of society and that a higher gambling age might lead to an increase in unregulated gambling activities among younger individuals. During discussions, Major General Pius Mokgware, the Labour and Home Affairs Minister, cautioned against enacting unenforceable laws. “Do not have legislations which you cannot enforce; it is dangerous,” Mokgware stated.
MP Karabo Gare opposed the proposal, expressing concerns that individuals who are still 18 may lack the ability to make informed decisions, increasing their risk of gambling addiction. Similarly, Kenny Kapinga from the Botswana Congress Party urged that the current minimum age of 21 should be upheld due to the vulnerability of younger adults.
In January, Moruntshi Kemorwale, the Acting CEO of the Gambling Authority, reported a decline in problem gambling from 5% in 2020 to 3.4% in 2025. He attributed this change to the regulatory body’s National Responsible Gambling Programme and education efforts. Kemorwale emphasized the need to protect the public from unregulated gambling activities, stating that illegal betting platforms diverted roughly P850 million ($63.2 million) from Botswana’s economy annually, putting children and teens at risk.
The amendment also aims to bring the Gambling Authority Act in line with the Financial Intelligence Act and Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards, enhancing anti-money laundering measures and mitigating financial crime risks. Key changes include defining beneficial ownership, evaluations of fitness and propriety, and know-your-customer requirements. License holders would need to connect gambling devices to the Gambling Authority’s monitoring system, while casinos would deploy their systems.
Increased penalties are also a feature of the bill, raising maximum fines for certain offenses to P100,000 or up to five years in prison, or both.
Discussions in parliament frequently highlighted responsible gambling and treatment services. Minister of Environment and Tourism, Dr. Wynter Mmolotsi, proposed establishing a dedicated facility for individuals facing gambling issues and suggested creating systems to track gambling habits to address potential addiction. Mpho Morolong, MP for Kgatleng Central, added that gambling should be viewed as entertainment rather than a means to financial gain.
Botswana’s legal gambling market has grown rapidly since the Gambling Authority’s 2023 licensing of bookmakers and totalisator operators, including online betting. In January 2024, prior to the launch of licensed online operators, the Authority noted around 510,000 monthly instances of illegal online gambling. Sunbet Botswana launched its platform in February 2025, reporting a staggering 4,700% growth in sign-ups in its initial month. The Authority disclosed that licensed operators processed P150 million in wagers, with P135 million paid in winnings and a gross revenue of P15 million in March 2025.
By the end of 2025, gambling revenue had surpassed P700 million, with expectations of exceeding P1 billion by March 2027, according to Kemorwale. He remarked on the need for modernized oversight as the industry evolves and pointed out that current regulations often rely on external expertise due to limited local knowledge.
Illegal betting remains a significant concern for enforcement. Reports indicate that investigations are ongoing into several foreign betting sites allegedly operating through local proxies, with authorities aiming to restrict access to these sites and interrupt their payment methods.
With parliamentary approval, the focus will shift toward securing presidential approval and implementing the reforms. The Gambling Authority now faces the challenge of enhancing digital oversight and protecting consumers as Botswana's regulated gambling market continues to grow.
