Online bingo in Botswana operates in a legal grey area, as the Gambling Act of 2012 does not mention online gambling, leaving a significant gap in the legal framework (1). The Botswana Gambling Authority, established under the Gambling Act and charged with regulating the gambling industry in Botswana, currently focuses on licensing and monitoring land-based gambling activities including casinos, sports betting, lotteries, and traditional bingo halls (2). Land-based bingo is fully regulated with specific licenses authorizing holders to conduct or provide for the game of bingo on licensed premises, but no equivalent online licensing regime exists (2).
The Gambling Authority is mandated to grant various license types including casino, lottery, betting, bingo, machine, and employee licenses for land-based operations (2). Due to the lack of regulation for online gambling, there are no licensed online operators in Botswana, and players can access international online bingo websites without penalties since the law remains silent on this matter (1). The Authority's purpose is to contribute to Botswana's transformational agenda and socio-economic development by diversifying the gaming industry through developing and implementing a responsive licensing regime and promoting responsible gaming (2).
"Online gambling in Botswana is somewhat a grey area. The Gambling Act of 2012 does not mention a word about online gambling; hence, it leaves a gap in the legal framework."
As the Botswana gambling market expands with over 550,000 active bettors and increasing internet penetration, pressure mounts for regulation of online gambling (1). The Gambling Authority has launched a comprehensive review of the 2002 Gambling Policy and amendments to the 2012 Gambling Act to address the explosive growth of both legal and illegal betting platforms (1). Until these legislative updates explicitly address online gambling and establish a clear licensing framework, online bingo remains unregulated, allowing residents to access offshore platforms freely while the government focuses enforcement efforts on land-based establishments (1).
Source:
https://www.igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulation-in-botswana/
https://gamblingauthority.co.bw
Last updated: 30-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
