Botswana Bookmakers

Gambling has always been a popular activity in the southern African country of Botswana; however, the legal framework surrounding gambling has undergone many changes. This article discusses in detail the features of gambling laws for bookmakers, the evolution of the subject, the authorities regulating the activity, the types of bets permitted and prohibited, the cost of a license, and taxes, in the context of Botswana bookmakers and Botswana sports betting.

Botswana Bookmakers

Table of Contents

1961: Lotteries and Betting Act brought into force.

1966: Botswana gained independence.

2012: New Comprehensive Gambling Act is passed.

2013: Gambling Act enlarged the offering of gambling products.

2016: Alterations made for the purpose of enhancement of better regulation.

Background of Gambling Laws in Botswana

Early Legislation

  • 1961: The Lotteries and Betting Act of was passed to regulate for gambling operations in Botswana. This act was the beginning of the regulation of gambling in the country.
  • 1966: Botswana became an independent state and thus the new government started to develop the policies on the gambling itself.
  • 1971: The Casino Act was enacted to provide a guideline on the legal casino gambling business in Botswana. This act was to be the cornerstone of the country’s formal approach to regulating gambling activities.

Modern Reforms

  • 2011: The Ministry of Industry and Finance also released a statement pointing at the fact that currently adopted laws regulating gambling are rather archaic. Thus, the necessity of the comprehensive gambling legislation was identified.
  • 2012: The Botswana Gambling Act was enacted replacing all the previous laws and regulating all forms of gambling. There is the Botswana Gambling Authority that regulates and supervises the operation of the industry.
  • 2013: The new Gambling Act opened new gambling products in the country which include casinos, bingo, totalisators and pools, horse races, sports betting, national and charitable lotteries and non-casino gaming machines.
  • 2016: Some changes were made in the Gambling Act; the control system to regulate gaming machines and other guidelines to combat money laundering were put in place.

Regulatory Agencies

The Botswana Gambling Authority which was established in the year 2012 is the main regulatory body that regulates gambling activities in the country. It regulates, oversees and controls all the gambling activities and the licensing of all gambling operators.

Botswana Bookmakers Licensing and Fees

The Botswana Gambling Authority is the license granting body that is in charge of the different types of gambling licenses. The specific licenses and their associated fees are as follows:

  • Betting License: Betting shop licence and other licences for operating betting establishments.
  • Bingo License: Needing for working in bingo halls.
  • Bingo Machine License: For working with the bingo machines.
  • Bookmaker’s License: Necessary for carrying out activities of a bookmaker.
  • Casino License: This category is applicable for operating casinos.
  • Gambling Establishment License: Needed for working any gambling business.
  • Gambling Machine License: For working with the slot machines.
  • Lottery License: There is one national lottery licence.
  • Lottery Machine License: Needed to work the lottery machines.
  • Racing License: Necessary for the conducting of racing events.
  • Testing Agent License: This is because it is used in testing as well as certification of gambling equipment.
  • Totalisator License: Needed for the functioning of totalisators.

License Fees

The fixed license fees per year (in Botswana Pula, BWP) are as follows:

  • National Lottery: 1 000 000 BWP (approximately USD 89 000).
  • Casino: Kucia 250 000 BWP (około 22 000 USD).
  • Betting Shop: BWP 50,000
  • Bingo Hall: BWP 10,000

Bookmaker Gambling Taxes

Botswana imposes taxes on various gambling activities, which are as follows:

  • Casino Tax: It is 10% of the gross gambling revenue as the name implies.
  • Bingo Tax: This bill is to collect 8% of the gross gambling revenue.
  • Bookmakers: 6. The Commission may keep not more than 5per centum of the gross gambling revenue.
  • Totalisators: 2. 5% of the gross gambling yield

These taxes are on top of the standard corporate taxes that stands at 22 percent. Also, VAT applies to lottery tickets; however, it does not apply to the majority of gambling activities.

Botswana Sports Betting

Legal Framework

The act of betting on sports is legal and is governed by the Gambling Act of the year 2012. Football is the favourite sport to bet on in the country due to the influence of the British colonizers. Others are cricket, rugby, tennis, softball, badminton, golf, and athletics among others.

Prohibited and Allowed Bets

The gambling act of 2012, hammer down the different forms of bets that are permitted and those that are not allowed. In general all types of sports betting are allowed, as long as they are practiced in establishments that are authorized to do so. However, there are no laws that specifically outlaw online sports betting since it is not regulated. Thus, the citizens of Botswana can easily engage in the foreign based online sports betting sites that are accessible for them.

Sporting Event Glory Milestones

  • 1980: This was the first time that Botswana was participating in the Olympics.
  • 2000: Of importance, Glody Dube did well in the 800m at the Sydney Olympics.
  • 2012: Nijel Amos stood second and got the silver medal in the 800m race during the London Olympics.
  • 2014: Isaac Makwala clinched the gold in the 400m event of the Commonwealth Games.
  • 2014: Kabelo Kgosiemang was an Olympic bronze medalist for the 400m hurdles at the Commonwealth Games.

Conclusion

There is a clear legal system concerning the provision of gambling services, which includes bookmakers and sports betting in Botswana. The activities are also regulated by the Botswana Gambling Authority which sees to it that the activities are carried out in a right manner. Given the current state of development of gambling laws and their further changes, Botswana can remain a leading country in the sphere of gambling.

FAQ for Botswana Bookmakers

Related content

Africa Bookmakers

Djibouti Bookmakers

Djibouti Bookmakers

Located on the western side of the Gulf of Aden in northeastern Africa, that is predominantly a Muslim country with rather oppressive views on gambling, has found a way to legalize and regulate some forms of gambling. Aims to analyze ... Read More about Djibouti Bookmakers
Comoros Bookmakers

Comoros Bookmakers

Comoros is an island state situated in the Indian Ocean, at the northern entry to the channel of Mozambique and has a very fruitful history of legal regulations related to gambling, which makes it a promising jurisdiction for both online ... Read More about Comoros Bookmakers
Sudan Bookmakers

Sudan Bookmakers

Sudan is a country that is part of both the Sub-Saharan Africa. Sudan, has one of the richest histories, has not been very favorable on gambling especially on the Sudan bookmakers and sports betting. In this article, the reader will ... Read More about Sudan Bookmakers
Burundi Bookmakers

Burundi Bookmakers

Burundi, a country located in East Africa, Neighboring countries include Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west and Lake Tanganyika to the southwest. In this article, we zoom in ... Read More about Burundi Bookmakers
Mauritius Bookmakers

Mauritius Bookmakers

Mauritius is an island country in the eastern Africa located in the southwestern part of the Indian Ocean near Madagascar and about 2200 km from the African coast. Nevertheless, it also has a properly regulated gambling sector, especially in the ... Read More about Mauritius Bookmakers
Ethiopia Bookmakers

Ethiopia Bookmakers

Ethiopia is located in northeastern Africa, bordering Djibouti and Somalia to the east, Sudan and South Sudan to the west, Kenya to the south, and Eritrea to the north. It is also a nation where the handling of gambling specifically ... Read More about Ethiopia Bookmakers
Eswatini Bookmakers

Eswatini Bookmakers

Eswatini, or Swaziland as it used to be called is situated in the southernmost part of Africa and is neighbored by South Africa on three sides, namely the north, west and south, while the eastern side is bordered by the ... Read More about Eswatini Bookmakers
Guinea-Bissau Bookmakers

Guinea-Bissau Bookmakers

The country of Guinea-Bissau is in the continent of Africa specifically on the western part of it. Liberia is bordered by Senegal to the north, Guinea to the east and south and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Guinea-Bissau has ... Read More about Guinea-Bissau Bookmakers
Morocco Bookmakers

Morocco Bookmakers

The Kingdom of Morocco is a North African Arab country that lies along the Atlantic Ocean; it is bordered by Algeria to the east and southeast, Western Sahara to the south, and Spain and Portugal to the north. Its capital ... Read More about Morocco Bookmakers
Zimbabwe Bookmakers

Zimbabwe Bookmakers

Zimbabwe is a country located in southeastern Africa where gambling has been accepted by society since the early 20th century. In the years that followed, the country's gambling industry, especially Zimbabwe bookmakers and sports betting, has grown tremendously. In this ... Read More about Zimbabwe Bookmakers
Scroll to Top