GAMBLING AUTHORITY RELEASES PREVALENCE SURVEY REPORT
Over 90 % of targeted respondents interviewed This is a groundbreaking national survey - CEO
Gambling Authority Botswana has concluded a landmark survey on the prevalence of problem gambling within the country, despite challenges such as restricted movements amid COVID-19 pandemic.
Chief Executive of the Authority, which regulates gambling and related sub-sectors, Thuli Johnson is thrilled the report has been delivered. “The objective of the survey was to investigate the prevalence of excessive and problem gambling in Botswana. This is a groundbreaking nationally representative survey of its kind, and it provides baseline information on the prevalence of excessive and problem gambling in Botswana,” said Johnson in his executive summary.
The baseline report which was conducted by experts across several sectors was among others meant to establish how familiar Batswana were with different forms of gambling, how much they participate in them, and what their attitudes are towards gambling. The study which was funded and commissioned by the Gambling Authority at a cost of over P2 million, also went out to demonstrate the prevalence of Problem and Pathological or Compulsive gambling in Botswana, as well as providing a baseline against which to measure and track future change. The survey, which took months to complete also sought to “develop a sound evidence base upon which policymakers, regulators, treatment and education providers, and other relevant professionals can develop effective interventions and services.”
Johnson, who is the founding Chief Executive of Gambling Authority, further said the survey followed a cross-sectional design to cover all districts in Botswana
using a mixed-methods approach.
“Importantly, the study adopted a qualitative and quantitative data collection framework to meet the set objectives. The quantitative design ensured that the level of precision required was
met at both sub-national and national estimates to enhance policy decisions about gambling in Botswana,” states the report which was published recently. A total of 4164 households were targeted
for the survey, and 3876 were successfully interviewed, yielding a response rate of 93.1percent. The qualitative approach successfully yielded twenty-six (26) Key Informant Interviews (KII) and three (3) Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Of the three FGDs, two (2) were conducted with service providers and one (1) with former gamblers.
The report was commissioned by a subcommittee of the board responsible for excessive gambling prevention and rehabilitation, currently chaired by Attorney Marvin Torto. “The purpose of the sub-committee is to guide and monitor the development and implementation of programmes and strategies aimed at preventing addictive or compulsive gambling and rehabilitating compulsive gamblers. The Committee, therefore, needs research evidence to ensure that effective education/prevention and treatment programmes can be delivered to those affected individuals throughout the country. It is against this background that a baseline study was commissioned,” said the CEO of Gambling Authority.
According to information from the Authority, members of the public can contact the Authority to get electronic copies of the report, which has also been published on the organisation’s website.