Gambling: A growing crisis disguised as entertainment

In recent years, Botswana has witnessed a sharp rise in gambling activities; from flashy betting shops in Gaborone and other urban areas, to mobile apps that reach even the most remote villages. What was once a niche pastime has now become a survival mechanism for many Batswana. But beneath the glitz of jackpots and celebrity endorsements lies a growing social crisis, one that threatens the very fabric of our society.There have been murmurs about reducing the legal gambling age from 21 to 18. This would be a catastrophic move. At 18, many young people in Botswana are still financially dependent, emotionally vulnerable, and navigating the pressures of unemployment and identity. Introducing them to gambling at such a formative stage would only accelerate cycles of debt, addiction, and despair. Instead of empowering youth, it would exploit their vulnerability. While aligning Botswana’s gambling laws with global standards may seem progressive, it dangerously overlooks the country’s distinct socio-economic realities.In many countries where the legal gambling age is 18, there are robust safety nets; comprehensive mental health services, financial literacy programs, and strong regulatory frameworks that help mitigate the risks associated with early exposure to gambling. Botswana does not yet have these protections in place. Here, turning 18 does not automatically mean financial independence or emotional maturity. Many young Batswana at this age are still in secondary school, unemployed, or dependent on family support. Lowering the legal age in this context does not empower youth, it exposes them to an industry that thrives on impulsivity and desperation. Moreover, the argument for consumer protection through legalisation ignores the deeper issue: normalisation. Legalising gambling for 18-year-olds sends a message that gambling is a rite of passage into adulthood. In a country grappling with high youth unemployment and rising household debt, this message is not just misleading, it’s dangerous. Botswana must craft policies that reflect its own realities, not blindly mirror international trends. Global standards should be a reference point, not a rulebook. Our laws must protect our youth from harm, not usher them into it under the guise of modernization.ADVERTISING: THE SILENT PREDATORGambling companies in Botswana are increasingly using aggressive marketing tactics. Billboards, social media ads, and even radio jingles glamorise betting as a quick fix to poverty. Worse still, they now use beloved local celebrities, many of whom don’t even gamble to lure the youth into a false sense of trust. These endorsements send a dangerous message: that gambling is not only normal, but aspirational.If there are strict regulations on advertising for alcohol, why not gambling? Alcohol advertising is limited because of its known social and health consequences. Gambling, which can lead to addiction, financial ruin, and emotional distress, deserves the same level of scrutiny and control. The psychological impact of being constantly flooded with gambling advertisements is profound. It normalises gambling from a young age, embedding it into everyday life as a casual, even necessary, activity. This desensitisation makes it harder for young people to recognise the risks and easier for them to fall into harmful patterns.We need stricter regulations on gambling advertisements, especially those targeting young people and low-income communities. Just as we regulate tobacco and alcohol, gambling should not be allowed to masquerade as harmless fun.BOTSWANA’S HOUSEHOLD DEBT: A TICKING TIME BOMB Botswana’s household debt reached a staggering P61 billion as of December 2023, with unsecured personal loans accounting for nearly 70 percent of household credit. This isn’t just a financial figure, it’s a warning sign. Unsecured loans, often taken out without collateral, are typically used for short-term survival rather than long-term investment, trapping borrowers in high-interest cycles of debt. As of March 2025, household debt has continued to climb, growing by 6.2 percent year-on-year. Unsecured personal loans still dominate, now representing 69.4 percent of household credit.The Bank of Botswana warns that the dominance of unsecured loans presents “growing structural vulnerabilities,” especially in the event of job loss or economic shocks. People are not gambling to win, they are gambling to survive. And in doing so, they risk losing what little they have left. The most affected demographic, working-age adults between 36 and 49, are also among the most active gamblers. This overlap is no coincidence. When traditional income sources fall short, gambling becomes a desperate attempt to bridge the gap. But instead of relief, it often leads to deeper financial instability. Lowering the legal gambling age in such a fragile economic environment is not just irresponsible, it’s dangerous. It risks pulling younger people into the same debt traps before they’ve even had a chance to build financial literacy or stability.We must ask: are we creating opportunities, or are we manufacturing desperation? GAMBLING AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE There is a disturbing and underreported connection between gambling and gender-based violence (GBV) in Botswana, one that demands urgent attention. Financial stress, addiction, and emotional instability caused by gambling losses often manifest in domestic abuse, turning homes into battlegrounds. During the 2024 festive season alone, Botswana recorded 93 rape cases and 10 murders of women in just two weeks. Police reports revealed that 61 percent of all crimes during that period were related to GBV. This is not an isolated spike, it reflects a deeper, systemic crisis. Studies show that 67 percent of women in Botswana have experienced some form of gender violence in their lifetime.The most prevalent form is emotional violence, often triggered by financial strain and substance abuse, both common among problem gamblers. When gambling addiction enters a household, it doesn’t just drain bank accounts—it erodes trust, safety, and dignity. The co-occurrence of intimate partner violence and gambling addiction is a pattern that cannot be ignored. It is a cycle: gambling leads to financial loss, which leads to emotional instability, which leads to violence, and then back again. Lowering the legal gambling age risks introducing this cycle to younger households, where coping mechanisms are even less developed and support systems are often absent. If we are serious about tackling GBV, we must also confront the industries that fuel it. Gambling is not just a personal choice, it is a public health issue, a social justice issue, and a gender equity issue. The cost of ignoring this link is paid in trauma, silence, and lives.UNEMPLOYMENT AND THE ILLUSION OF HOPE With youth unemployment in Botswana hovering around 27.6 percent, gambling has become more than a pastime, it’s a lifeline for many. In the absence of stable job opportunities, betting offers a seductive illusion of hope.For young people facing daily economic uncertainty, the promise of instant wealth feels like the only way out. But this illusion is dangerous. It diverts attention from sustainable solutions like education, entrepreneurship, and job creation. Instead of building futures, it builds false dreams, dreams that collapse under the weight of addiction, debt, and despair. Gambling does not solve unemployment; it exploits it. It capitalises on the vulnerability of young people who are desperate for opportunity but denied access to meaningful work. Lowering the legal gambling age would only widen the trap, pulling more youth into a cycle of risk without reward. If we truly care about empowering young Batswana, we must invest in their potential, not their desperation. That means funding vocational training, supporting small businesses, expanding digital literacy, and creating pathways to employment. Gambling may offer a quick thrill, but it cannot offer a future.A SYSTEM WITHOUT SUPPORT Botswana lacks adequate rehabilitation and counseling services for gambling addiction. This silence is not benign, it is devastating. Individuals and families are left to navigate the emotional wreckage alone, with no lifeline, no guidance, and no place to turn. In this vacuum, gambling companies thrive, preying on pain and profiting from despair. Without support structures, we become easy targets for an industry that knows exactly how to exploit vulnerability.The absence of public rehabilitation centers, mental health services tailored to addiction, and community outreach programs creates a perfect storm, one where desperation meets manipulation. Gambling companies must be held accountable. Their profits come from the very communities they destabilize. It is not enough to sponsor celebrities or host flashy events. They should be legally required to contribute significantly to the development and maintenance of: Rehabilitation centers for gambling addiction Mental health counseling accessible to low-income families Youth sports and mentorship programs that offer alternatives to gambling These contributions must be channeled through independent commissions, free from industry influence, to ensure transparency, integrity, and community-centered outcomes. This is not charity—it is restitution. If gambling companies can afford prime-time ads and celebrity endorsements, they can afford to invest in the healing of the communities they profit from. Anything less is exploitation disguised as entertainment.A CALL TO ACTION Gambling in Botswana is no longer just a game, it is a social emergency. The flashing lights, catchy jingles, and celebrity endorsements mask a deeper crisis that is unraveling families, draining bank accounts, and stealing futures. If we do not act now by protecting our youth, regulating advertising, addressing unemployment, and building robust support systems, we risk losing an entire generation to the false promises of quick wealth. We must reject the narrative that gambling is empowerment. It is not. It is exploitation dressed as entertainment. Let us not allow our favorite celebrities to sell us dreams they don’t even believe in. Let us not drown in gambling while the things that truly matter; education, family, dignity, and hope slip away. This is a defining moment. We can choose to be passive observers, or we can be active protectors of our communities. We must demand accountability from gambling companies, transparency from regulators, and compassion from policymakers. We must build a Botswana where opportunity is earned through effort, not gambled on chance. The stakes are too high for silence. The time to act is now.

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Gambling: A growing crisis disguised as entertainment