‘36.6% of Batswana actively engaged in gambling’

Botswana is now facing a troubling social phenomenon that underscores the deepening financial distress among its people.According to Moruntshi Kemorwale, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Botswana Gambling Authority, a staggering 36.6 percent of Batswana are actively engaged in gambling.This figure, revealed during Kemorwale's testimony before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Statutory Bodies and State Enterprises, signals not just widespread participation but a direct link to the financial pressures gripping the population.Botswana’s economy, while still projecting growth in 2026, is navigating a precarious path. After a contraction in 2025, the country is expected to see a modest GDP growth rate of around 2.3 percent to 3.1 percent, depending on various forecasts.This slow recovery is shadowed by a fiscal deficit hovering near 9 percent of GDP and unemployment rates that have climbed to nearly 26 percent, creating an environment where many citizens struggle to make ends meet.The diamond market, a critical pillar of Botswana's economy, continues to falter, contributing to the financial instability that is pushing many towards gambling as a perceived escape or solution to their woes. The social fabric ofBotswana is feeling the strain of this gambling surge. Kemorwale indicated that gambling is increasingly becoming a coping mechanism for those burdened by joblessness and dwindling incomes.Reports indicate that a significant portion of gamblers are unemployed or self-employed in precarious conditions, highlighting the vulnerability of these groups. The consequences are severe: family breakdown, financial distress, and rising cases of problem gambling are quietly tearing at the core of communities, Kemorwale’s Gambling Authority noted in one of their reports.The Gambling Authority’s findings reflect a population caught in a cyclical trap, and financial pressure drives gambling, which in turn exacerbates economic hardship and social instability.Gambling is not a new activity in Botswana; it has been regulated since the 1960s, with lotteries and casinos legalised decades ago. However, the regulatory landscape has evolved significantly.The Gambling Authority, established under the Gambling Act of 2012 and operational since 2016, oversees all gambling activities, aiming to balance economic benefits with social responsibility.The sector is undeniably a contributor to the economy, creating jobs and generating tax revenue that supports public services. Yet, the rapid rise in participation, especially among younger and financially strained demographics,is revealing the darker side of this industry, Kemorwale revealed.Kemorwale said government efforts to curb the negative impacts of gambling include stricter regulation of illegal and online gambling platforms, mandatory player protection protocols, and expanded public education campaigns about the risks of gambling addiction.Despite these steps, illegal gambling remains rife, with reports of over half a million Batswana engaging in unlicensed online gambling monthly. This not only undermines regulatory efforts but also fuels fraudulent activities and financial losses among vulnerable populations.The government faces a complex challenge: supporting an industry that contributes to economic growth while protecting citizens from its harms.Observers say underlying the gambling issue is a broader context of inequality and economic vulnerability in Botswana. Despite being one of Africa’s more prosperous nations, the country grapples with significant disparities in wealth and opportunity.Inequality in per capita consumption remains high, and the pace of poverty reduction has slowed. These conditions create fertile ground for gambling to take hold as both a symptom and cause of financial desperation.For many, gambling represents a gamble on hope, a chance to break free from economic hardship, even as the odds are stacked heavily against them.Various studies undertaken by the Gambling Authority have revealed that the social effects of gambling extend beyond individual financial ruin. Families suffer from breakdowns and domestic violence linked to gambling-relatedstress.Kemorwale agreed that the stigma attached to problem gambling isolates individuals, while the need to fund gambling habits can lead to income-generating crimes such as theft and fraud.

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‘36.6% of Batswana actively engaged in gambling’