Problem gambling in focus as Botswana hosts global meet
The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) conference, which will be hosted by Botswana in October 2023 will, among others, discuss initiatives aimed at curbing problem gambling. This is to ensure industry monitoring and facilitate counselling and education for the affected.
Botswana has won the bid to host next year’s conference and benefit from key interactions with advocacy committees at the IAGR, enjoying support and exclusive access and discounts on members-only content, services, events and opportunities.
This was revealed by the Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry, Beauty Manake on the sidelines of the 2022 IAGR conference in Melbourne, Australia.
“My attendance is a confirmation that next year’s host regulator, the Gambling Authority Botswana has full support from my government,” she said.
“The Gambling Authority Botswana is a state entity that is mandated to oversee gambling through regulating and controlling the development of gambling businesses in Botswana as well as promoting Botswana as a gaming industry destination.”
Manake said hosting the conference will promote Botswana as a Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism destination. She urged delegates to attend the conference in large numbers and extend their stay in Botswana so they could enjoy the country’s beautiful scenery.
Members of IAGR have established a working relationship, whose key objectives are to protect communities and citizens through adherence to gaming regulatory laws. The IAGR aligns matters that affect the industry and ensures that the world is free from old and degenerating gaming technologies.
The Gambling Authority recently instituted a baseline survey on the prevalence of excessive and problem gambling in Botswana. According to the Acting CEO Peter Kesitilwe, this was the first ever comprehensive study to measure the prevalence of problem gambling in Botswana.
“The baseline survey indicated that the prevalence of problem gambling in Botswana stands at five percent and is mostly existent among the youth,” he said.
The study also showed that problem gambling differs significantly by district and stratum, which speaks to the need for all interventions to be carried out nationwide. Cities and towns have a higher prevalence at seven percent, as compared to urban villages and rural areas with four percent and 4.9 percent respectively.
Botswana currently has eight licensed casinos and the Gambling Authority recently launched a licensing plan that includes new license types such as betting licenses, bingo licenses and additional casino licenses. Negotiations are advanced to appoint an operator for Botswana’s first National Lottery.