Gambling Pitso reaches F/town
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Thursday April 18, 2019 13:14
When addressing scores of key stakeholders the GA Chief of Staff Solomon Moremong said that they intend to foster a meaningful relationship with the key industry players so that they can contribute to the growth of the gambling industry.
He said that GA is also committed to participate in a call by the government for stakeholders to participate in the economic transformation of potential gambling industry, which can play a significant role in evolving the economy of Botswana.
Moremong disclosed that the nationwide gambling stakeholder pitso was first held in Gaborone and in two weeks’ time they will host the last one in Maun.
In his address GA chief executive officer (CEO), Thulisizwe Johnson said that their vision is to transform Botswana through safe gaming, which they intend to promote via the development and implementation of responsive licencing regime and promotion of responsible gaming.
He said that GA took over nine licenced casinos from the Casino Control Board for all gaming and betting in Botswana under the gambling act of 2012.
He added that they want to prioritise stakeholder engagement by ensuring a safe, ethical and diversified gambling industry together with socio-economic development.
Johnson said that Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) has granted the authority permission to start issuing national lottery and casino licenses in Gaborone, Maun, Kasane and Palapye together with sport betting and bingo.
He also said that other prospects of gambling include i-gaming, development of a horse race industry, manufacturing value chain and support to the development of gambling industry entrepreneurship.
Johnson also disclosed that Botswana’s gambling revenue, as far back from 2017 stands at P280 million and if people invest in the industry, it would contribute to achieving and sustaining long term economic growth in the country.
Johnson was responding to a comment by one of the stakeholders and Cresta Hotels area general manager north Robert Kabuzu who inquired about the gambling figures in Botswana.
When giving a presentation on the Gambling Act 2012 and sampling some of the offences under the act GA senior legal officer Onneile Kealotswe stated that operating without a licence and conducting an unlawful promotional competition and raffles together with gambling with a minor aged 21 and below would attract a fine of P60,000 and imprisonment of four years or both.
She also said that unauthorised entities engaged in gambling activities can be fined P40,000 or imprisonment of two years.
Kealotse also said gambling operation staff including machine operators are required by law to be registered with the Gambling Authority.
In his address the GA chief operating officer Potlako Mawande spoke about the opportunities in betting, which are divided into fixed odds, famous and pool betting together with totaliser.
GA licencing sales manager Mopati Rammekwa said promotional competitions such as those conducted by chain stores are not considered gambling activities.