With just over 2.5 million residents and one of Africa’s most stable economies, Botswana is rapidly becoming a rising force in the region’s gambling landscape. Recent figures show that the country’s betting industry generated more than USD 11 million in total wagers during early 2025, with projections suggesting the market could triple in size within the next few years as digital channels mature.
The Gambling Authority Botswana has taken significant steps to modernize the industry, introducing frameworks that welcome both land-based and online operators. For iGaming companies seeking to expand into a stable and fast-growing African market, Botswana offers political stability, transparent regulation, and strong potential for digital betting growth.
This Gambling Authority Botswana guide outlines what operators need to know about licensing, compliance, and market entry under Botswana’s evolving gambling framework.
Understanding the Gambling Authority Botswana
The Authority is now finalising a framework to license and regulate online gambling activities, a move designed to give structure to what has so far been a largely unregulated digital market.
While the Gambling Act currently focuses on land-based operations, certain aspects of online betting remain open to interpretation — creating a transitional phase as the Authority adapts its policies to digital formats.
The update is expected to make Botswana more accessible to international operators, while reinforcing the government’s focus on player protection, tax transparency, and sustainable growth.
Why Choose Botswana for iGaming Operations?
For operators exploring new opportunities in Africa, Botswana stands out as one of the region’s most stable and business-friendly markets. Its economy has maintained steady growth for over a decade, supported by strong governance and an expanding digital infrastructure.
Key factors driving Botswana’s appeal include:
- Stable regulatory environment: The Gambling Authority operates under clear legal mandates with strong oversight and transparent licensing procedures.
- Rapid digital expansion: Internet penetration exceeds 70%, and mobile connectivity continues to rise — creating fertile ground for online betting and mobile-first gaming.
- Reputation and transparency: Botswana consistently ranks among Africa’s least corrupt nations, ensuring predictable operations and investor confidence.
- Strategic location: Positioned at the crossroads of Southern Africa, it offers easy access to key markets such as South Africa, Zambia, and Namibia.
Together, these factors make Botswana a compelling jurisdiction for iGaming operators seeking credibility, scalability, and regulatory certainty in an increasingly competitive African landscape.
The Licensing Process: Step-by-Step
While Botswana’s full online licensing framework is still taking shape, the Gambling Authority already applies a clear, structured process for new applicants. Whether you’re pursuing a casino, sportsbook, or iGaming platform licence, the following steps outline the general procedure::
1 – Pre-Application Consultation:
Start by engaging early with the Gambling Authority Botswana to confirm your licence category and review the necessary documentation. Early consultation helps avoid delays later in the process.
2 – Application Submission:
Submit a formal application with supporting documents — including company registration, ownership structure, financial statements, proof of capital adequacy, and technical details about your gaming systems. Transparency about shareholders and key management is essential, as it forms part of the Authority’s integrity checks.
3 – Background and Compliance Checks:
The Authority conducts extensive due diligence to ensure directors and shareholders are “fit and proper” persons — meaning they hold a clean record and demonstrate financial and ethical integrity.
Technical platforms are also reviewed for fairness, data security, and responsible gambling compliance.
4 – Technical Evaluation and Inspection:
If the initial application is approved, the Authority may commission an independent system audit. This step confirms that all betting, gaming, and payment systems comply with international transparency and security standards.
5 – Licensing Decision and Fees:
Once approved, the operator must pay the relevant licensing fees. Although costs may vary by licence type and business scale, current estimates place annual fees between USD 3,000 and USD 15,000.
Licences are typically valid for one year, with renewal contingent on continued compliance, accurate reporting, and adherence to responsible gambling obligations.
As Botswana finalises its digital licensing framework, requirements are expected to evolve. Operators should therefore monitor official Gambling Authority updates to stay aligned with the latest standards.
Key Compliance and Reporting Obligations
Like most regulated gambling jurisdictions, Botswana requires operators to adhere to global compliance and player protection standards, adapted to the local legal framework.
Licensed platforms must not only follow the Gambling Authority’s rules but also align with widely recognised international best practices such as KYC (Know Your Customer), AML (Anti-Money Laundering), and responsible gambling protocols.
- Implementing player protection tools — including self-exclusion options, deposit limits, and reality checks to promote responsible play.
- Conducting KYC verification and AML monitoring to prevent fraud and financial crime.
- Submitting regular financial and operational reports to the Gambling Authority Botswana for transparency and audit readiness.
- Maintaining secure and encrypted systems to safeguard player data and ensure payment integrity.
Non-compliance can result in fines, suspension, or full licence revocation, depending on the severity of the breach.
For sustainable success, compliance in Botswana should be seen not as a box-ticking exercise, but as an ongoing operational discipline that strengthens player trust and business resilience.
Preparing for Market Entry
Before launching, operators should ensure their platforms are fully localized — from payment methods and tax reporting to user interface and marketing content. Compliance with Botswana’s advertising, data protection, and fiscal laws is essential to operate legally and build trust with both players and regulators.
Partnering with Botswana-based entities, such as marketing affiliates, payment processors, or compliance consultants, can help streamline licensing and strengthen local market credibility.
For operators seeking a faster route to market, PlaylogiQ’s white-label solutions offer full compliance-ready infrastructure designed to adapt to different tax systems and jurisdictional requirements — including Botswana.
Our platforms can be customized to integrate local payment gateways, support reporting under regional regulations, and maintain ongoing alignment with the Gambling Authority’s evolving standards.
For a broader look at regulatory frameworks and regional expansion, see our in-depth guide on the African iGaming market.
Botswana’s Road to a Regulated iGaming Future
What can operators expect from the next regulatory framework proposed by the Gambling Authority Botswana?
The country’s current regulation still leans heavily toward land-based operations, so the key question is how the Authority will structure its approach to digital and remote gambling in the coming years.
As seen in other African markets, such as Kenya and Nigeria, regulatory reforms often bring higher licensing costs and stricter technical requirements, aimed at improving compliance and consumer protection. Botswana is expected to follow a similar trajectory, aligning with international standards while refining its own digital-first model.
For forward-thinking operators, these changes represent both a challenge and an opportunity: those who prepare early with robust compliance systems and scalable technology will be best positioned to benefit when the updated framework takes effect.
Ultimately, Botswana remains one of Africa’s most promising and well-governed environments for regulated iGaming — a market where clarity and credibility will increasingly define competitive advantage.
