- Licences to be issued out in March 2024
- Authority will issue 60 independent site operator licences
- More licences expected after issuance of Route Operators
The Gambling Authority has disclosed that it will award licences for Limited Payout Machines (LPMs) between March and April 2024.
Limited Payout Machines are gambling machines with Limited Bets and Payout. According to the Gambling Authority Acting CEO Emolemo Peter Kesitilwe, the Authority last month published a Request for Applications (RFA) for these licences, which elapsed this Friday.
Last month, the Gambling Authority published the Draft Gambling Establishment RFA document inviting applicants to apply for LPMs licences. Kesitilwe told The Business Weekly & Review that in response to the LPMs RFA, the Authority is impressed with the number of applications it received. Due to the impressive numbers, he noted that the Authority will not be extending the deadline which elapsed this Friday.
“This is a good response from the applicants,” Kesitilwe said in an interview. “At this stage, we expect to issue out licences for Route Operators and Independent Operators.” Kesitilwe said according to their model of operation, more licence applications are expected after Route Operator licences have been issued. “Batswana will be able to now apply for other licences like Site Operators especially for bars and restaurants,” he said.
The Gambling Authority intends to issue two Route Operator licenses and 60 independent site operator licences. “It is essential to note that the Route Operator will then enter into agreements with Site Operators so that they conduct the business using the machines supplied and owned by the Route Operator,” he disclosed. “There will be 200 sites linked to the Route Operator. Each Route operator will be allowed a maximum of 100 sites.”
Aimed at educating the public about the gambling industry, the Authority had for the past months launched a vigorous campaign dubbed “Motshameko o Phepa” and Kesitilwe said the public’s reaction to it is much more encouraging than they had hoped. Moreover, he said the Gambling Authority has been determined to ensure that Batswana are aware of available investment options in the gambling industry.
“While at it, we are continuously advocating for responsible and sustainable gambling,” he added. Kesitilwe further noted that gambling has the potential to add value to the economy. While the industry has often been stigmatised, the interim CEO believes that once licences are issued, the resultant economic value will help convince people of the potential value of the gambling industry.
