The Gambling Authority has revealed that 1900 gambling licenses will be issued to small businesses such as bars and restaurants in an effort to empower and promote the spirit of responsible gambling locally.
The Gambling Authority Chief of staff Moruntshi Kemorwale said even though popular opinion indicates that gambling is seen as addictive and irresponsible, the authority intends to hold workshops and seminars on how to promote responsible gambling across the communities they operate in.
“There is need to promote mindset change like it has been stressed by President Mokgweetsi Masisi and that mindset change can definitely assist us because people need to change how they view gambling,” said Kemorwale.
He further said an advert has already been flighted to allow citizens to formally bid for the licenses.
“This licenses are targeting bar owners, restaurant operators and hotels and I must say that these licenses will only be given to responsible operators because we do not want to receive reports from the community which will now force government to revise this approach,”
“There is a lot of potential in gambling because in some countries it is used to diversify the economy and that is exactly what we want to see here,” he said.
Kemorwale admitted that gambling licenses have in the previous years been held and dominated by foreigners adding that it was a deliberate decision to set aside a certain number of licenses in order to give to citizens.
Gambling Authority Boss highlighted that they have been drawing lessons from countries such as South Africa where they generated over R300 billion last year.
He said locally, 8 casinos which have been licensed have proven to generate over P200 million annually.
“There is a lot of money in this sector which directly goes into the economy so you can imagine how much money will be generated with more licenses to be issued,” said Kemorwale.
Gambling Authority Chief also stated that there is no doubt that this arrangement will aid the country’s plans to generate more revenue to boost the local economy.
“We have also decided to rope in different counsellors to assist gamblers in the event that they have suffered greatly from gambling. We only used to have counselors in Botswana but because we will be expanding to different areas of the country, we are now planning to spread these counselors across,” stated Kemorwale.
He further said with proper planning, there is potential in having gambling as part of the contributors to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
