Low Self-Exclusion Register Enrollment Raises Concern

 

Eswatini- Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs shared a striking figure recently. Only three gamblers enrolled on the country’s national self-exclusion register. This happened between April and June 2026. As a result, lawmakers began questioning existing safeguards. They want to know if current measures truly protect vulnerable and underage people from gambling-related harm.

Minister Jane Simelane presented these figures during a recent parliamentary session. The data appeared in the ministry’s first-quarter financial year performance report. This report covers the period from April to June 2026. It outlines the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen gambling sector controls.

 

Details Behind the Low Self-Exclusion Numbers

According to the ministry, all three people chose specific exclusion periods. These ranged from 12 months to two years in length. However, senators raised real concerns about this low participation rate. They questioned whether current safeguards work effectively across the gambling sector.

 

The ministry explained the legal framework governing this issue. The Gaming Control Act prohibits anyone below age 18 from gambling. Licensed operators must also complete age verification through Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures. These operators must prevent unauthorised accounts from being used as well. Furthermore, they must provide mechanisms allowing customers to exclude themselves voluntarily.

 

Lawmakers Question Enforcement Effectiveness

Despite these requirements, lawmakers pushed back on their practical enforcement. This concern applies particularly to online gambling platforms. Unlike land-based casinos, online gambling presents unique challenges. Players can access these platforms through mobile phones and personal devices. They never need to enter a physical gambling venue at all.

This accessibility creates real difficulties for several groups. Parents and guardians struggle to monitor children’s gambling activity. Regulators also face challenges determining whether minors access these services.

 

Ministry Plans Central Monitoring System

The ministry outlined plans to address these enforcement gaps directly. It’s pursuing procurement of a central monitoring system currently. This system should strengthen regulatory oversight considerably once implemented. Authorities expect greater visibility across the entire gambling industry as a result. This should improve their ability to identify underage gambling cases specifically.

 

The government also has additional plans underway. It’s working to establish a gambling fund before this financial year ends. This fund would support counselling services for people facing gambling problems. It would also fund public awareness initiatives about excessive gambling risks.

 

Senator Questions Illegal Gambling Response

The ministry also faced pointed questions from Senator Isaac Magagula. He asked about lessons learned from a troubling development. Foreign nationals had reportedly become involved in illegal gambling activities. Magagula wanted to understand how this situation developed over time. He also questioned what regulatory weaknesses allowed such operations to emerge.

 

The ministry responded with important context about licensing procedures. Gambling licence applicants normally undergo vetting by law enforcement first. This happens before applications can proceed through the regulatory process. However, the individuals in question had never applied for licences at all. They made no representations to the ministry whatsoever.

 

Consequently, the government held no licensing records for these individuals. Their activities operated entirely outside the established legal framework. The ministry stressed that addressing this issue requires cooperation. Multiple authorities need to work together on this problem. It declined to comment further on matters still before the courts.

 

Gaming Regulations Move Toward Implementation

Beyond oversight and responsible gambling measures, the government reported other progress. It’s developing regulations to support Eswatini’s gaming legislation implementation. The draft Gaming Regulations recently underwent a validation process. This process involved both government officials and industry representatives.

The first validation workshop took place back in May. The final validation session wrapped up during the first week of July. The ministry described this consultation’s completion as significant progress. It marks an important step toward operationalising the country’s gaming framework. The ministry also called for parliamentary support to promulgate these regulations.

 

Multiple Mechanisms Strengthen Oversight

This regulatory work continues alongside other key initiatives. These include the central monitoring system and gambling fund plans. Together, these mechanisms give the government several tools. They can strengthen oversight and improve compliance across the sector. They can also expand support for people affected by gambling-related harm.

Finally, the ministry emphasized an important point about shared responsibility. Parents and guardians also play a crucial role in prevention efforts. They should actively monitor children’s online activities and gambling access. This collaborative approach involves government, industry and families working together.

 

 

 

 

See also…

https://afriplayhub.com/2026/08/19/eswatini-pm-warns-against-gambling-probe-interference/