Botswana is facing growing concerns over the scale of illegal online gambling, with more than P850 million reportedly wagered on unlicensed betting platforms in just six months, according to the country’s Gambling Authority.
The figure has renewed attention on the growth of offshore betting platforms targeting Botswana and the challenges they pose to the country’s regulated gaming market, particularly around tax revenue, consumer protection and underage gambling.
Gambling Authority Chief Executive Officer Moruntshi Kemorwale warned that offshore gambling platforms are increasingly targeting young people in Botswana.
“More than P850 million has been spent on illegal gambling sites over the past six months,” Kemorwale said.
Concerns Over Underage Gambling
Botswana’s current gambling laws set the legal gambling age at 21. However, the regulator has raised concerns that some unlicensed online platforms may not have effective age-verification measures, potentially making it easier for younger users to access betting services.
The growing presence of offshore operators has created a parallel gambling market that attracts significant spending from local consumers while operating outside Botswana’s regulatory framework.
Unlike licensed operators, offshore platforms are not subject to the same local tax obligations, regulatory requirements and consumer protection standards. This creates concerns over the amount of economic activity taking place outside the regulated market.
Gambling Age Debate
The development comes as Botswana considers changes to its gambling legislation.
Parliament is currently considering the Gambling (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposes reducing the legal gambling age from 21 to 18.
Supporters of the proposed amendment argue that lowering the age would align gambling regulations with Botswana’s age of majority. Critics, however, have warned that the change could expose more young people to gambling at a time when authorities are already dealing with the challenges of illegal online betting.
Economic Impact of Illegal Betting
Beyond consumer protection, the Gambling Authority has highlighted the potential economic consequences of the illegal market.
Money wagered through offshore platforms may not generate the same tax revenue or employment opportunities associated with licensed gambling businesses. Illegal operators can also gain a competitive advantage by avoiding regulatory costs and compliance obligations required of licensed operators.
The offshore nature of many of these platforms further complicates enforcement, as local authorities have limited control over companies operating outside Botswana’s jurisdiction.
Regulators Face Growing Digital Challenge
The P850 million figure underscores the growing importance of online gambling within Botswana’s gaming ecosystem and the difficulty regulators face in monitoring digital operators that can reach consumers across borders.
As more players shift from traditional betting outlets to online platforms, regulators are likely to place greater emphasis on digital monitoring, stronger age-verification systems and cooperation with financial and technology companies.
For Botswana, the growing illegal betting market is likely to remain an important part of the country’s wider gambling policy debate.
As Parliament considers proposed changes to the legal gambling age, authorities face the challenge of balancing the development of the regulated gaming industry with stronger measures to protect consumers, particularly young people, and prevent unlicensed operators from continuing to capture significant betting activity outside the formal market.
