Is online gambling legal in Botswana?

No licensing route exists. The Gambling Act, 2012 bars gambling anywhere other than licensed premises (s. 112), treating only telephone bets recorded at a licensed bookmaker's premises as placed there, and the Gambling Authority lists internet or online gambling among forms of illegal gambling. Players as well as operators commit an offence.

Who regulates gambling in Botswana?

The Gambling Authority, a body corporate under the Gambling Act, 2012, whose Board is appointed by the Minister. Appeals against licensing decisions go to the Minister. The Botswana Unified Revenue Service collects VAT on gambling supplies.

What is the minimum gambling age?

21 under section 104 of the Act. The Gambling (Amendment) Bill, 2026, passed by the National Assembly on 13 August 2026, lowers it to 18, but assent and commencement had not been confirmed in the sources read for this record.

How are gambling operators taxed?

Licensees pay a monthly licence levy on gross gambling revenue, collected from casinos at 10% according to the Authority's 2022/23 annual report, and contribute 5% of gross revenue to responsible gambling programmes. Since 1 July 2026, VAT is charged on the amount wagered less monetary prizes at the tax fraction of the 14% standard rate.

Which licences are available and how are they granted?

The Act lists twelve licence types, including casino, bookmaker, totalisator, bingo, gambling machine and National Lottery licences, each valid for 10 years with an annual fee. Licences are granted after the Authority publishes a Request for Application; the registers name six casino and six bookmaker licensees.

What are the penalties for unlicensed gambling?

Operating a gambling establishment without a licence carries a fine of up to P180,000 or 15 years in prison, or both, rising to P240,000 or 20 years for a repeat offence. Gambling other than at licensed premises carries up to P20,000 or 12 months.

Sovereign state

Africa

ISO BW

Botswana: gambling regulation and licensing

Online sports bettingProhibited
Online casinoProhibited
Land-based (reference)Regulated

Regulator: Gambling Authority
Headline tax: 10% GGR
Licence required: Yes
Last verified: 23 Sept 2026

Summary

Botswana regulates gambling under the Gambling Act, 2012 (Chapter 19:03) and the Gambling Regulations of 2016. The Gambling Authority licenses and supervises the sector through a Board appointed by the Minister, now the Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship; the licensing provisions have been in force since 1 April 2016. The Act provides for twelve licence types, including casino, bookmaker, totalisator, bingo, gambling machine and a single National Lottery licence, with gambling licensed only on named premises. Section 112 bars gambling anywhere other than licensed premises, deeming only telephone bets recorded at those premises to comply, and the Authority lists internet or online gambling among forms of illegal gambling. There is no remote licence. The Authority's registers, as captured on 17 September 2026, name six casino licensees and six bookmaker licensees, one of which gives a website. The minimum age is 21. Licensees pay a monthly licence levy on gross gambling revenue, which the Authority's 2022/23 annual report records at 10% for casinos, plus a 5% contribution to responsible gambling programmes. Since 1 July 2026 the Value Added Tax Act, 2026 has taxed gambling supplies on the amount wagered less monetary prizes. Casino gross gambling revenue was BWP 206.2 million in the year to March 2023, up 18.6%. On 13 August 2026 the National Assembly passed the Gambling (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (No. 15 of 2026), which lowers the gambling age from 21 to 18 and, in the Minister's account, tightens beneficial ownership, anti-money laundering and enforcement rules and brings amusement arcades under regulation. His summary did not include a licensing route for online gambling. Assent and commencement had not been confirmed in the sources read.

Common pitfalls

Quoting 18 as the minimum age: the Act sets 21 (s. 104) until the 2026 Amendment is in force, even though the Regulations' advertising rules refer to 18. Reading a bookmaker licence as covering online betting: s. 82 authorises bets on the licensed premises and s. 112 deems only telephone bets recorded there to comply. Treating the Gambling Authority's tagline Motshameko O Phepha as its name. Reading the 10% levy as a statutory figure: the Act leaves the rate to Schedule 15 of the Regulations, and the 10% is the rate the Authority reports collecting from casinos.

Key facts

Regulator: Gambling Authority (GA)
Regulator type: Dedicated regulator
Headline tax: 10% GGR
Licence required: Yes
Minimum age: 21+
Tax base: Licence levy: a monthly levy on the licensee's gross gambling revenue (Act s. 50; reg. 108 at the Schedule 15 rate). Gambling revenue is all sums received as winnings by the licensee, including amounts deducted from stakes or banks, less sums paid out as losses (Act s. 2). The Authority's 2022/23 annual report states the levy is collected from casinos at 10% of gaming revenue; Schedule 15 itself was not read and the rate for other licence types was not confirmed. VAT: since 1 July 2026, output tax on gambling supplies is the amount wagered less monetary prizes, multiplied by the tax fraction (14/114 at the 14% standard rate) (VAT Act 2026 s. 46).

Legal framework

Primary statutes

Gambling Act, 2012 (Act No. 7 of 2012), Chapter 19:03
Year
2012
In force
Yes
Summary
Assented to on 17 September 2012; Parts I to V (the Authority and its Board) commenced on 26 October 2012 and Parts VI to XXI (licensing and conduct) on 1 April 2016. Establishes the Gambling Authority and twelve licence types (the gambling licences tied to licensed premises), each valid for 10 years with an annual fee. Bars gambling other than at licensed premises (s. 112), sets the minimum age at 21 (s. 104), requires a monthly levy on gambling revenue (s. 50), creates a national register of excluded persons (s. 109), restricts advertising (s. 106) and bans credit for gambling (s. 107). Repealed the Casino Act and the Lotteries and Betting Act.

Secondary instruments

Gambling Regulations (S.I. 23 of 2016, as amended by S.I. 81 of 2016 and S.I. 91 of 2019)
Year
2016
In force
Yes
Summary
In force from 1 April 2016. Application, renewal and transfer procedures for each licence type, casino controls including a minimum 80% return on casino gambling machines (reg. 17), records of transactions above P10,000 (reg. 28), electronic monitoring of machines linkable to the Authority (reg. 30), the excluded persons register (regs 89 to 94), advertising rules and a mandatory harm warning (regs 101 to 104), a licence levy on gross gambling revenue at the Schedule 15 rate (reg. 108), a 5% contribution to responsible gambling programmes (reg. 109) and civil penalties (reg. 110).
Value Added Tax Act, 2026, section 46 (gambling supplies)
Year
2026
In force
Yes
Summary
Commenced on 1 July 2026. Output tax on taxable gambling supplies (lottery tickets and bets on gambling events in Botswana) is computed for each tax period as the total amount wagered less total monetary prizes, multiplied by the tax fraction (14/114 at the 14% standard rate); no tax invoice is issued and the player may not claim input tax.

Key amendments

26 Oct 2012Gambling Act Parts I to V commence (S.I. 84 of 2012), establishing the Gambling Authority and its Board.
1 Apr 2016Gambling Act Parts VI to XXI commence (S.I. 31 of 2016) with the Gambling Regulations: licensing, levy, advertising and player protection provisions take effect.
1 Jul 2026Value Added Tax Act, 2026 commences, with a dedicated rule for VAT on gambling supplies (s. 46).

Pending legislation

Gambling (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (No. 15 of 2026)
Stage
Second reading agreed on 5 August 2026; committee stage on 12 and 13 August 2026, where an amendment to keep the age at 21 was negated; read a third time and passed on 13 August 2026 (20 for, 1 against, 1 abstention). Assent, publication and commencement were not confirmed in any source read for this record.
What it changes
Lowers the minimum age for gambling and for entering gambling establishments from 21 to 18. The Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship described the Bill as updating outdated definitions, regulating ownership structures and beneficial ownership, strengthening the Authority's power to supervise licensees, closing anti-money laundering gaps, bringing amusement arcades under regulation, giving more flexibility in licensing and strengthening enforcement. The Minister's summary did not include a licensing route for online gambling. A Parliament note on the BIDPA briefing states that the Bill is intended to align the Act with the Financial Intelligence Act and FATF standards on anti-money laundering.
Review of the Gaming and Gambling Policy of 2002
Stage
Regulatory Impact Analysis published by the Gambling Authority for consultation from 26 February to 28 March 2025; the preferred option is to revise the policy. No revised policy was found in the sources read.
What it changes
The RIA finds that the 2002 policy focuses on machines fixed to premises, that online gambling happens outside the Authority's reach with lost revenue for the regulator and government, and that the policy should accommodate technological advances such as online gambling.

Case law

Growmine Africa (Pty) Ltd review application (National Lottery licence)
After the Authority revoked Growmine Africa's preferred applicant status for the National Lottery licence and the Minister held he had no jurisdiction over its appeal, Growmine applied to the High Court to review both decisions. The Authority's 2022/23 annual report records the matter as awaiting hearing and negotiations with Ithuba Botswana (Pty) Ltd as concluded, pending consultation with the Minister. No later status was found.

Licensing

Licence required: Yes
Application window: Not yet verified
Local establishment required: Yes
Local server required: Not yet verified
Active licences: 12 (as of 17 Sept 2026)
Bank guarantee or bond: A casino applicant must give a guarantee or deposit security the Authority considers adequate to meet obligations to players (Act s. 37(1)(g)).
Notable licensees: Pstbet Botswana, Sunbet Botswana, Betway Botswana (Delta Bay (Pty) Ltd), B-Bets, Bet 267, BetXplosion, Avani Gaborone, Grand Palm, Thakadu, Menateng, Moonlite, Sedibeng
Certification requirements: Gambling machines and devices must be registered with the Authority (Act s. 90, reg. 58), calibrated and certified (s. 101) and, where required, type approved under the Communications Regulatory Authority Act before installation (reg. 83); casino machines must return at least 80% to players (reg. 17).
Barriers to entry: Licences are issued only after the Authority invites applications through a Request for Application that sets the requirements and locations (reg. 66; Authority licensing pages). Applicants must advertise the application in two consecutive issues of the Gazette or a local newspaper, with 30 days for objections (s. 34(2)); a body corporate must be a company or external company under the Companies Act (s. 37(1)(h)); applicants must occupy and manage the whole premises and pass integrity, experience and financial tests and police clearance (ss. 36 and 37); applicants under 21 and public servants are refused (s. 39). The Authority may restrict further licences (reg. 115). The count of 12 is the six casino and six bookmaker licensees named on the Authority registers in the 17 September 2026 capture.

Licence types

Casino licence
Scope
Casino games specified in the licence, on the licensed premises only (Act s. 55); the Board weighs tourism, local procurement, training and citizen participation (s. 54).
Term
10 years
Fee basis
Prescribed application and annual fees (Act ss. 34 and 38(2); Regulations Schedule 14, not read); monthly licence levy on gross gambling revenue (s. 50, reg. 108)
Renewal terms
Renewal application at least six months before expiry (s. 40)
Bookmaker's licence
Scope
Accepting fixed bets on sporting events on the licensed premises (Act s. 82(1)); telephone bets accepted and recorded at the licensed premises are deemed placed there (s. 112(2)).
Term
10 years
Fee basis
Prescribed fees (Regulations reg. 42 and Schedule 14, not read) and the monthly licence levy
Renewal terms
Renewal application at least six months before expiry (s. 40)
Totalisator licence
Scope
Totalisator and betting pools specified in the licence; at least 85% of the pool must be returned to winners (Act s. 75(3)); a daily levy on gross takings at a rate the Authority sets (s. 79).
Term
10 years
Fee basis
Commission and daily levy at rates set by the Authority (s. 79)
National Lottery licence
Scope
Conducting the National Lottery; only one licence at a time, issued after consultation with the Minister to an applicant with lottery experience (Act s. 62).
Term
10 years
Fee basis
A prescribed percentage of proceeds to a National Lottery Distribution Fund once established by Order (s. 63)
Renewal terms
Later licences for a period set by the Authority (s. 62(4))
Bingo, gambling machine, gambling establishment, racing and lottery machine licences
Scope
Other premises-based licence types listed in Act s. 33; the Authority planned to issue requests for applications for betting, bingo and limited payout machines, according to its 2022/23 annual report.
Term
10 years
Fee basis
Prescribed fees (Regulations Schedule 14, not read)
Registration certificate (machine suppliers, repairers and testers) and testing agent licence
Scope
Anyone who sells, leases, distributes, imports, markets, maintains or repairs gambling machines or devices must register (Act s. 97, reg. 63); testing agents are licensed (s. 100).
Application fee
BWP 50,000 as of 17 Sept 2026
Fee basis
Application fee of P50,000 for a registration certificate, as stated by the Authority
Employee licence
Scope
Anyone working in the gambling industry (Act s. 102); key employees are defined in reg. 85.
Fee basis
Prescribed fee (Schedule 14, not read)

Taxation

Headline GGR tax: 10% GGR
Effective date: 1 Jul 2026
VAT treatment: Value Added Tax Act 2026, s. 46 (in force 1 July 2026): VAT on gambling supplies is accounted for per tax period on the amount wagered less monetary prizes paid, multiplied by the tax fraction; if the result is negative nothing is due. Operators may claim input tax, including on non-monetary prizes, but may not issue tax invoices, and players may not claim input tax. The standard rate is 14%.
Tax base: Licence levy: a monthly levy on the licensee's gross gambling revenue (Act s. 50; reg. 108 at the Schedule 15 rate). Gambling revenue is all sums received as winnings by the licensee, including amounts deducted from stakes or banks, less sums paid out as losses (Act s. 2). The Authority's 2022/23 annual report states the levy is collected from casinos at 10% of gaming revenue; Schedule 15 itself was not read and the rate for other licence types was not confirmed. VAT: since 1 July 2026, output tax on gambling supplies is the amount wagered less monetary prizes, multiplied by the tax fraction (14/114 at the 14% standard rate) (VAT Act 2026 s. 46).

Earmarked levies

Responsible gambling contribution (Regulations reg. 109): 5% of gross revenue (A programme supporting responsible gambling monitored by the Excessive Gambling Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee)
Licence levy destined for the Gambling Levy Fund (Act s. 134): 10% of gaming revenue (casinos, 2022/23 annual report) (A fund for the general benefit of the gambling industry, to be established by ministerial Order; pending that Order the Authority remits the levy to a Government account at the Bank of Botswana)

Compliance

Minimum age: 21+
National self-exclusion: National register of excluded persons (Gambling Act s. 109) (mandatory)
AML regime: The Authority is the supervisory authority for casinos under the Financial Intelligence Act, 2022 and checks compliance with that Act, its regulations and the Financial Intelligence (Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions) Regulations, 2022. Licensees and their staff must report suspicious transactions (Act s. 121). The Gambling (Amendment) Bill, 2026 is intended to align the Act with the Financial Intelligence Act and FATF standards.
AML supervisor: Gambling Authority (supervisory authority for casinos under the Financial Intelligence Act, 2022)
Source of funds thresholds: Casinos record exchanges of chips or tokens for cash, cheques or fund transfers, and chip redemptions, above P10,000 (reg. 28).
Central monitoring system: Licensees must connect all gambling machines to a central computer or approved monitoring system with online monitoring and data acquisition capability that can be linked to the Authority's monitoring system (Act s. 96, reg. 30). Gambling establishments must install CCTV surveillance (Act s. 120).
KYC requirements: Licensees and their staff must take reasonable steps to establish whether a person is under 21 before allowing entry to a gambling area or play (Act s. 108(6)) and must take the prescribed measures to check the register of excluded persons (s. 109(9)). Casinos must record chip and cash exchanges, cheques and fund transfers above P10,000 and must not let patrons split transactions within 24 hours to avoid the record (regs 28 and 29).
Stake limits: Not yet verified
Mandatory player messaging: Advertising must carry a warning on the dangers of addictive and compulsive gambling with the name, toll-free number and slogan of the Excessive Gambling Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee (reg. 102). Licensed premises must offer the self-exclusion form and a directory of counselling services, with a notice at every entrance (Act s. 109(10)).
Reporting obligations: Monthly licence levy with a certificate from the person appointed by the Board that it is fairly calculated (Act ss. 50 and 51); proper accounts and annual reports to the Authority (regs 80 and 81), with a civil penalty of up to 2% of the levy for each day of delay (reg. 110(1)); records of problem gambling incidents kept by a gambling contact officer (regs 105 and 106).
Game content restrictions: Gambling is allowed only on casino games, bingo, gambling machines and sporting events, and only with the licensee authorised for that event (Act s. 111). No credit for gambling (s. 107). Casino machines must return at least 80% (reg. 17) and totalisators at least 85% of the pool (s. 75(3)). No gambling on events that are themselves unlawful (s. 124).

Advertising

Advertising permitted: Yes
Affiliate rules: No affiliate licence exists. Acting as an agent for a bookmaker, or as an intermediary between a bookmaker and any other person, for betting on a sporting event is an offence (Act s. 82(2) and (4)), and advertising gambling that is unlawful under the Act is prohibited (s. 106(1)(a)).
Bonus advertising rules: No advertising of gambling as free of charge or at a discounted rate as an inducement to gamble (Act s. 106(4)); a bookmaker may not give money or other consideration, beyond winnings, to induce a person to bet (s. 82(3)).
Mandatory warnings: A warning against the dangers of addictive and compulsive gambling in at least the body font size, with the name, toll-free number and slogan of the Excessive Gambling Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee; printed and electronic mail advertisements must state that only persons aged 18 or over may lawfully gamble (although the Act sets 21); on billboards, web pages and pamphlets the warning must cover at least 10% of the surface or home page (reg. 102).
Penalties for breach: Breach of s. 106 is an offence with, where no specific penalty applies, a fine of up to P20,000 or 12 months in prison, or both, and up to P30,000 or two years for a repeat offence (Act s. 128). Failing to carry out a takedown order is an offence (reg. 101(4)).

Restrictions

Advertising a casino, a gambling establishment and the games offered there is lawful subject to the Act and regulations (Act s. 105).
No advertising of gambling that is unlawful under the Act, false or misleading, or intended to target or attract minors (s. 106(1)).
No advertising at or near schools, hospitals, sporting grounds, civic parks, shopping centres, cinemas and places of worship (s. 106(3)), or at venues where the audience is likely to be under 18 or on outdoor displays aimed at educational institutions (reg. 103).
Advertisements must not promote excessive play, present gambling as a way out of financial difficulty, a route to success, an alternative to employment or an investment, imply that winning is probable or that gambling is mainly skill, or show people who are or appear to be under 18 (reg. 101(1)).
No advertising that encourages removal from the register of excluded persons (s. 106(2)(b)), and no promotional material may be sent to excluded persons (reg. 93).
The Authority may order an advertisement taken down, and may refer advertising matters to the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (regs 101(2) and 104).

Payments

Credit card ban: Yes
Crypto stance: Not yet verified
Permitted methods: Cash, Cheque that is not post-dated and for which full value is given, Debit card payment that is not post-dated and for which full value is given
Payment blocking regime: No statutory blocking of payments to unlicensed operators was found in the Act or Regulations. Licensees must keep banking and payment processing arrangements approved by the Authority and may not change them without approval (reg. 79).

Enforcement

ISP blocking: Not yet verified
DNS blocking: Not yet verified
Payment blocking: Not yet verified
App store takedowns: Not yet verified
Administrative penalties: Revocation or refusal to renew a licence (Act s. 41); civil penalties of up to P2,000 a day for a continuing breach of licence conditions and up to 2% of the payable levy a day for late reports (reg. 110); a late levy penalty of 2% a week, capped at twice the levy (reg. 108(3) and (4)), and a fine of up to P20,000 for late or unpaid levy (Act s. 50(4)).
Criminal penalties: Operating a gambling establishment without a licence: up to P180,000 or 15 years in prison, or both, and up to P240,000 or 20 years for a repeat offence (Act s. 32). Unlicensed casino, bingo, totalisator, bookmaking or racing, and any unlicensed gambling game: up to P60,000 or four years, and up to P80,000 or five years for a repeat offence (ss. 53, 59, 74, 81, 85 and 125). Permitting a minor to gamble in a casino carries the same penalties (s. 108).
Operator liability: Owners and occupiers who allow premises to be used for unlicensed gambling commit an offence punishable by up to P10,000 or six months (Act s. 87); licensees must take every possible step to prevent fraud and offences by players and staff (s. 133(2)).
Player liability: Gambling other than at licensed premises, or with anyone other than the licensee authorised for the event, is an offence punishable by up to P20,000 or 12 months in prison, or both (Act ss. 111(3) and 112(4)). An excluded person who knowingly enters a gambling establishment or gambles faces up to P5,000 or six months (reg. 91).

Notable actions

Illegal gambling machine operators (unnamed)
Following a tip off, the Authority and law enforcement agencies confiscated and destroyed illegal gambling machines during the 2022/23 financial year.
Unnamed casino licensee
Penalised for paying levies late under section 50 of the Act during the 2022/23 financial year.

Market data

Figures on this record are drawn from official regulator data.

Online GGR: Not yet verified
Reporting year: 2023
Year-on-year growth: 18.6%

GGR by vertical

Land-based (reference): BWP 206,184,212.63 as of 31 Mar 2023

Timeline

25 Jul 2012
Gambling Act passed by the National Assembly.
17 Sept 2012
Gambling Act, 2012 receives assent; published in the Gazette on 21 September 2012.
26 Oct 2012
Parts I to V of the Act commence, establishing the Gambling Authority.
1 Apr 2016
Licensing and conduct provisions (Parts VI to XXI) and the Gambling Regulations commence; the Casino Act and the Lotteries and Betting Act are repealed.
31 Mar 2023
Financial year closes with casino gross gambling revenue of BWP 206.2 million, up 18.6%.
26 Feb 2025
Authority opens consultation on its Regulatory Impact Analysis of the Gaming and Gambling Policy of 2002, until 28 March 2025.
1 Jul 2026
Value Added Tax Act, 2026 commences, with a specific rule for gambling supplies.
5 Aug 2026
Gambling (Amendment) Bill, 2026 read a second time.
13 Aug 2026
Amendment to keep the age at 21 negated in committee; Bill read a third time and passed, 20 votes to 1.

Outlook

Four things to watch. Assent, publication and commencement of the Gambling (Amendment) Bill, 2026, passed on 13 August 2026, which would lower the minimum age to 18. Whether the Authority revises the Gaming and Gambling Policy of 2002, as its 2025 Regulatory Impact Analysis recommends, including how it treats online gambling. Whether the requests for applications and regulations for betting, bingo and limited payout machines described in the 2022/23 annual report are issued. And the National Lottery licence, which in 2023 was in negotiation with Ithuba Botswana and subject to a High Court review brought by Growmine Africa; no later status was found.

Frequently asked questions

Is online gambling legal in Botswana?: No licensing route exists. The Gambling Act, 2012 bars gambling anywhere other than licensed premises (s. 112), treating only telephone bets recorded at a licensed bookmaker's premises as placed there, and the Gambling Authority lists internet or online gambling among forms of illegal gambling. Players as well as operators commit an offence.
Who regulates gambling in Botswana?: The Gambling Authority, a body corporate under the Gambling Act, 2012, whose Board is appointed by the Minister. Appeals against licensing decisions go to the Minister. The Botswana Unified Revenue Service collects VAT on gambling supplies.
What is the minimum gambling age?: 21 under section 104 of the Act. The Gambling (Amendment) Bill, 2026, passed by the National Assembly on 13 August 2026, lowers it to 18, but assent and commencement had not been confirmed in the sources read for this record.
How are gambling operators taxed?: Licensees pay a monthly licence levy on gross gambling revenue, collected from casinos at 10% according to the Authority's 2022/23 annual report, and contribute 5% of gross revenue to responsible gambling programmes. Since 1 July 2026, VAT is charged on the amount wagered less monetary prizes at the tax fraction of the 14% standard rate.
Which licences are available and how are they granted?: The Act lists twelve licence types, including casino, bookmaker, totalisator, bingo, gambling machine and National Lottery licences, each valid for 10 years with an annual fee. Licences are granted after the Authority publishes a Request for Application; the registers name six casino and six bookmaker licensees.
What are the penalties for unlicensed gambling?: Operating a gambling establishment without a licence carries a fine of up to P180,000 or 15 years in prison, or both, rising to P240,000 or 20 years for a repeat offence. Gambling other than at licensed premises carries up to P20,000 or 12 months.

Sources

Gambling Act, 2012 (Act No. 7 of 2012), as published in Supplement A to the Botswana Government Gazette of 21 September 2012
Blackhall Publishing, Laws of Botswana (publisher of the revised edition of the Laws of Botswana)
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 21 Sept 2012
Gambling Act, Chapter 19:03 (consolidated text: Act 7 of 2012, S.I. 84 of 2012, S.I. 31 of 2016), with commencement dates
Blackhall Publishing, Laws of Botswana (publisher of the revised edition of the Laws of Botswana)
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
Gambling Regulations under section 135 of the Gambling Act (S.I. 23 of 2016 as amended by S.I. 81 of 2016 and S.I. 91 of 2019), in force 1 April 2016
Blackhall Publishing, Laws of Botswana (publisher of the revised edition of the Laws of Botswana)
The consolidated text is open to regulation 117; Schedules 1 to 16, including the fees in Schedule 14 and the levy rate in Schedule 15, sit behind a subscription wall and were not read. Regulation 108(2) makes the licence levy payable on or before the first day of each month, while section 50(2) of the Act allows ten days after the month; the Act is the higher instrument. Regulations 101 to 103 refer to persons under 18, while the Act (section 104) sets the minimum age at 21.
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
Bookmaker and Betting Licensees (register) (read from the Internet Archive capture of 2026-09-17; the live site did not respond on 2026-09-23)
Gambling Authority
Archived copy
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
Casino Licensees (register) (read from the Internet Archive capture of 2026-09-17; the live site did not respond on 2026-09-23)
Gambling Authority
Archived copy
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
General Information: what is gambling, what is illegal gambling, underage gambling (read from the Internet Archive capture of 2025-08-07; the live site did not respond on 2026-09-23)
Gambling Authority
Archived copy
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
Licensing Services (read from the Internet Archive capture of 2026-09-17; the live site did not respond on 2026-09-23)
Gambling Authority
Archived copy
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
Application Process (gambling, employee and registration licences) (read from the Internet Archive capture of 2026-09-17; the live site did not respond on 2026-09-23)
Gambling Authority
Archived copy
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
Compliance and Monitoring (read from the Internet Archive capture of 2026-09-17; the live site did not respond on 2026-09-23)
Gambling Authority
Archived copy
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
Annual Integrated Report 2022/23 (financial year 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023) (read from the Internet Archive capture of 2026-09-17; the live site did not respond on 2026-09-23)
Gambling Authority
The most recent annual report found on the Authority site. Its account of the National Lottery licence, the draft regulations and the Levy Fund reflects the position in 2023 and was not updated from any later primary source.
Archived copy
Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026
Regulatory Impact Analysis Report: Gambling Sector in Botswana (review of the Gaming and Gambling Policy of 2002) (read from the Internet Archive capture of 2025-08-07; the live site did not respond on 2026-09-23)
Gambling Authority
Archived copy
Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026
Gaming and Gambling Policy of 2002 Regulatory Impact Assessment Report: publication and public consultation notice (read from the Internet Archive capture of 2025-08-07; the live site did not respond on 2026-09-23)
Gambling Authority
Archived copy
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 2 Mar 2025
Daily Hansard, Wednesday 5 August 2026: Gambling (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (No. 15 of 2026), second reading, resumed debate and reply of the Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship (mixed English and Setswana; Setswana passages translated by iGaming Times)
Parliament of Botswana, National Assembly
Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 5 Aug 2026
Daily Hansard, Wednesday 12 August 2026: Gambling (Amendment) Bill, 2026, committee stage (35 clauses; amendment to retain the age of 21 moved)
Parliament of Botswana, National Assembly
Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 12 Aug 2026
Daily Hansard, Thursday 13 August 2026: Gambling (Amendment) Bill, 2026, committee stage concluded and third reading passed on a division
Parliament of Botswana, National Assembly
Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 13 Aug 2026
BIDPA briefs Parliamentary Committee on Finance, Trade and Economic Development on the Gambling (Amendment) Bill No. 15 of 2026
Parliament of Botswana, National Assembly
Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026
Value Added Tax Act, 2026, section 46 (gambling supplies) and section 7 (standard rate 14 per cent)
Botswana Unified Revenue Service
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
Public Notice: Zero-rated foodstuffs under the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act, 2026 (confirms the Act commenced on 1 July 2026)
Botswana Unified Revenue Service
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 9 Jul 2026