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 country of Mozambique. Its capital is Mbabane. Gambling in Eswatini includes activities that involve wagering of money, betting and gaming machines. Current laws relating to gaming in Eswatini bookmakers are provided by several legislative acts, outlining the legal procedures for casinos, sports betting and other related games.
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Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
Legal Framework for Eswatini Bookmakers
Historical Context
Pari-mutuel betting was allowed in Eswatini even before the formation of the kingdom in 1968. The principal pieces of legislation regulating gambling were enacted in 1963, these being the Casino Ordinance and the Lotteries Ordinance. These laws formed the basis for controlled gambling activities in the area.
- 1963: The Casino Act and the Lotteries Act were introduced paving the way for legal gambling in Eswatini.
- 1965: The first casino known as the Royal Swazi Spa Hotel complex was established in the Ezulwini Valley.
- 1968: Esawi entered into a treaty of protection with Great Britain in 1907 and remained a protectorate until gaining independence in 1967; gambling was still legal at that time.
Current Regulations
Eswatini legal Gambling is regulated by the Ministry of Tourism, Environmental Affairs, and Communication. This body is also responsible for the formulation and implementation of the tourism policies, especially in as far as the licensing and regulation of the gaming business is concerned. The legal framework relies on three main laws:
- Casino Act of 1963
- Lotteries Act of 1963
- An Act of Parliament to regulate the Activities of Bookmakers and Taxation Act of 1970.
Also, there are the Eswatini Gambling Laws and Regulations of 2022 which have been brought in but their principles and guidelines have not come into operation.
The Function of Eswatini Bookmakers
There are legal frameworks under which bookmakers in Eswatini work and these are under the Gaming Board. The main responsibilities include the granting of licenses and enforcement of the legal framework. The kinds of bets that are allowed and those that are not allowed are clearly defined to ensure that the operations are ethical.
Types of Bets Allowed
- Traditional Sports Betting: This covers all the main sports including football, rugby, and cricket.
- Digital Sports Betting: Also entails online platforms that are recognized by the Gaming Board of Kenya.
Types of Bets Prohibited
- Unregulated Online Betting: The regulation of this type of account is not very clear but they are supervised in order to avoid illicit use.
- High-Stake Bets: Regulations which are specific to prevent of financial malpractices.
Protection of Players and Responsible Gaming Activity.
In March 2022, the Kingdom of Eswatini created the new Eswatini Gaming Control Board to lay down better rules and regulations in the field. However, there is no specialized entity that supports the players who are affected by gambling problems. The customer is advised to use the available resources in order to gamble in a sensible manner.
Online Gambling in Eswatini
It should be noted that the activity of online gambling has been allowed in Eswatini since 1998. It does not have specific regulation though. In the year 1998, the Gaming Board allowed Piggs Peak Casino to extend the existing gambling license that it had, to enable the company establish the first digital casino in Eswatini. Piggs Peak’s license encompassed different categories of online gambling; digital sports betting, online poker, and electronic casino.
Licensing and Fees
The gaming board secretariat is in charge of processing application for licenses. It is to submit the documentation which must indicate the interest in the license for casino or lottery services. The application does not attract any fee and the certificates are valid for every ten years.
- Casino Licenses: As depicted in this kind of gaming/business, it is regulated by the Casino Act of 1963.
- Lottery Licenses: It is regulated according to the Lotteries Act of the year 1963.
- Bookmakers Licenses: Still, the Bookmakers’ and Taxation Act of 1970 regulates the activity of betting companies.
Taxation
In Eswatini, there is no VAT on gambling; lottery is taxed between 10-15% depending on the government’s decision for the year. This paper focuses on the taxation policy as a tool to regulate the gambling sector and its contribution to the state’s budget.
Challenges and Developments
Nonetheless, there are some issues that have arisen regarding the regulation of online gambling even though it is legal. For example, the South Africa’s Pretoria High Court ordered all sites based in Swaziland to stop accepting wagers from the South African residents in 2007, which shows that the regulation of online gambling is not a simple matter of national jurisdiction.
The Development of Eswatini Sports Betting
Football is the most popular sport in the country followed by soccer; the National Football Association is a member of both CAF and FIFA. Despite lacking a lot of funding, the national football team known as Sihlangu Semnikati is something of a treasure in the country.
Sporting Event Glory Milestones
- 1997: Sihlangu scooped the COSAFA Cup.
- 2013: Sihlangu thus ensured they won the COSAFA Cup for the second time.
- 2007: The national cricket team got a membership status of the affiliate member of the International Cricket Council.
- 2012: Sabelo Ndzinisa used to swim for Eswatini at the London Olympics.
- 2019: Eswatini had a great performance in athletics and swimming where she clinched gold medals at the All-Africa Games.
Popular Sports and Athletes
These are also some of the other popular sports practiced in Eswatini; cricket, rugby, basketball, and athletics among others. The country has produced several national heroes in these sports, including:
- Mfanfikile Makhanya: First Eswatini Cricketer to Play in Indian Premier League.
- Sibusiso Matsenjwa: A well known soccer player who has the ability of speed and quick moves on the field.
- Zanele Mdodana: Track and field athlete and the two time African champion in the 400 meters Hurdles.
- Sipho Mabuza: Multiple time title holder professional boxer.
Conclusion
The country of Eswatini has a well-defined structure regarding gambling especially Eswatini bookmakers and sports betting since the last few decades. This is because the country is still in the process of adjusting its laws in order to make them match the current needs yet at the same time protect the people by making the gambling industry to be as fair as possible.
FAQ of Eswatini Bookmakers
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