FIA, GA red-flag eight illegal gambling sites
Pauline Dikuelo | Tuesday December 9, 2025 08:14
The two agencies have engaged the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) and Botswana Fibre Networks (BoFiNet) to use their technical expertise and software to block the Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of the illegal online betting sites to restrict access.
The GA and FIA have also engaged local banks and mobile network operators to continue assisting by blocking accounts that have been identified as those used for unlawful transactions.
'We have engaged mobile operators and banks after establishing that illegal online betting websites transact using both mobile money platforms and bank accounts,' officials from the two agencies said in response to BusinessWeek enquiries.
'Financial institutions and mobile money platforms should monitor account activity in accordance with established risk management systems on an ongoing basis.
“We also advise them to promptly freeze and report any transactions that appear suspicious.'
Investigations have revealed that the sites are often found to be owned by non-citizens and are mostly operated from jurisdictions outside Botswana. The site operators, however, are said to be using locally based agents and affiliates to promote play by citizens on these unlawful sites.
According to the Gambling Act, any entity or person who operates illegally is liable to a fine of up to P180,000 or imprisonment for up to 15 years, or both. Repeat offenders face fines of up to P240,000 or imprisonment of up to 20 years, or both.
The GA said it does not have precise figures on the net losses experienced by Batswana in participating in the illegal sites, as some individuals may have both incurred losses and realised winnings.
'These operators fall outside the current regulatory framework; the Authority does not have access to their wagering systems and therefore cannot verify their Gross Gambling Revenue,' officials stated.
Both FIA and GA continue to face challenges of the mushrooming of mirror accounts upon the closure of illegal online betting sites. Users are also reported to frequently open new banking and mobile payment facilities with different banking institutions or mobile payment providers after the closure of accounts linked to illegal gambling activities. Unknown affiliate sites are also redirecting traffic to illegal sites, whilst some use anonymous digital payment platforms.
Officials urged members of the public to verify the betting sites on the GA's website and Facebook pages before participating. The GA is further working with relevant stakeholders to build Artificial Intelligence-aided platforms for customers to check for themselves before participating on any online platform.
Illegal betting activity in the country is said to involve hundreds of millions of pula annually and is almost exclusively based on online, usually sports betting platforms.