Minister Ntsima pushes for responsible gambling as revenue rises

Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship Tiroeaone Ntsima says government does not measure the success of the gambling industry solely by revenue, despite a steady rise in gross gambling revenue. Ntsima made the remarks at the Betting and iGaming (BiG) Africa Summit, held for the second time in Gaborone recently. “Here in Botswana, as the Gambling Authority marks its 10th anniversary, the Gross Gambling Revenue has been increasing steadily, and we believe that the industry has the potential to contribute immensely to the Gross Domestic Product when developed responsibly and sustainably,” Ntsima said. “It is, however, essential to note that government does not measure success by revenue alone.” Ntsima said government’s responsibility is to ensure the industry’s growth is supported by sound policy, robust regulation and strong institutions. He said Botswana’s approach is deliberate, aimed at building a gambling sector that is transparent, ethical, well-regulated and aligned with national development priorities. Ntsima said the gambling ecosystem extends beyond employment creation. “Gambling creates employment. Employment generates income. Income is taxed through licence fees, responsible gambling levies, and corporate taxation, revenues that can be reinvested into public services and development,” he said. “Beyond this, gambling does not operate in isolation. It supports fintech innovation through digital payments, contributes to tourism and hospitality, strengthens entertainment and retail sectors, and, when the environment is right, attracts long-term investment.” He cautioned that economic opportunity must be balanced with social responsibility. As markets expand, particularly through digital and mobile platforms, Ntsima said the duty to protect players, safeguard young people and prevent gambling-related harm also increases. “Responsible gambling must be embedded at the centre of policy and regulation, not treated as an afterthought,” he said. “Globally, expectations are rising. Investors and international partners increasingly demand strong governance, effective anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing controls, data protection, and ethical business practices.” Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Joel Ramaphoi, said Africa is no longer a marginal player in the global gaming industry. “Africa is no longer a peripheral participant in the global gaming economy,” Ramaphoi said. “Ours represents one of the fastest growing markets, centred around the youth and digital transformation.” He said Africa’s online gambling revenues have risen steadily over the past five years. From 2019 to 2024, the market roughly doubled and is projected to grow by about 6.3 percent annually between 2024 and 2028, reaching about $2.36 billion by 2028. “These are milestones the gambling service should be proud of,” Ramaphoi said. “This reflects the maturation of the African gambling market. There is no doubt this industry will grow; what we must ask ourselves is how it will grow.” For Botswana, Ramaphoi said the conversation is timely as the country pursues economic diversification beyond traditional sectors. He said gambling is among industries with the potential to grow long after minerals have run out. Botswana Gambling Authority Acting CEO Moruntshi Kemorwale said the growth of Botswana’s gambling industry is undeniable, but warned that regulatory frameworks must remain agile and risk-based to respond to rapid technological change while ensuring consumer protection and market integrity. “From a Botswana perspective, our ambition is clear. We seek to build a gambling sector that is transparent, ethical, and firmly anchored in the rule of law,” Kemorwale said. “Botswana does not merely aspire to participate in this industry; we aspire to help set standards for responsible regulation in the region and globally.” Kemorwale said technology is transforming the industry at unprecedented speed, citing online gaming, artificial intelligence, data analytics and evolving digital payment systems. He said regulators must remain informed, adaptive and collaborative. With more than a decade of existence, the BiG Africa Summit has established itself as Africa’s premier event for industry leaders shaping the continent’s iGaming landscape. It is known for in-depth discussions and networking, attracting innovators, executives and decision-makers from local and international markets.

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Minister Ntsima pushes for responsible gambling as revenue rises

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