Ghanzi, North West and Gaborone have emerged as the epicentres of Botswana’s gambling problem, with prevalence rates of 38.8%, 30.0% and 24.8% respectively.
Despite a surge in awareness campaigns by the Botswana Gambling Authority (BGA), problem gambling has not only persisted but worsened in recent years, raising doubts about whether current measures are enough to protect vulnerable groups.
According to the latest prevalence study by BGA (2024), 36.6% of Batswana are active gamblers, up from just 21.5% in 2021, a 15% increase. Problem gambling affects 6.7% of the population and nearly one in five gamblers (19.4%). Youth and the unemployed are particularly vulnerable, with many turning to gambling due to financial hardship. While, women are increasingly at risk, with 22.6% reporting problem gambling compared to 18.6% of men.
Much of the surge is driven by online gambling platforms. International operators such as Betway have become household names in Botswana, offering quick access through mobile phones and aggressive marketing campaigns, that are not just on social media platforms and other sightings such as apps like InDrive. For many young people, the first encounter with gambling may not at a pool table in a village bar, but on a smartphone at home.
Public Relations and Marketing Assistant Bryan Lekolwane highlighted the Authority’s efforts to respond to these trends. “The Authority is running a campaign called ‘Dreams Before Dices’ which focuses on secondary schools,” he said, pointing to teacher training and student workshops aimed at discouraging underage and illegal gambling. The campaign has already reached several schools, with a target of 50 by 2026.
At community level, the national initiative “Motshameko o Phepa” has conducted over 150 roadshows, with plans for 450 by the 2025/2026 financial year. “The initiative strives to educate and empower individuals and communities to understand the risks of gambling, gamble safely and prevent gambling-related harm,” Lekolwane explained.
But while the campaigns have grown in visibility, the numbers suggest they may not be stemming the tide. In high-prevalence regions such as Ghanzi, gambling has become deeply intertwined with unemployment and social betting practices. Nationwide, 70.4% of gamblers admit to chasing losses, 61.6% borrow money to gamble, and more than a third have used rent money or their full income to fund the habit.
Even among the youth, who are the primary targets of these campaigns, early gambling remains entrenched: 20.3% of gamblers are underage, and 39% started before the legal age of 21.
The Authority insists it has tightened regulation. “Online operators are required to use automated KYC tools to verify the identity and age of users before accounts can be activated,” Lekolwane noted, adding that non-compliance carries penalties including license suspension. Still, illegal and online platforms remain a fast-growing loophole, undermining these safeguards.
With problem gambling highest in Ghanzi, North West, and urban hubs like Gaborone, the stakes are rising. The Authority’s next move includes a National Digital Awareness Campaign targeting the 21–35 age group, influencer partnerships, and a 24/7 helpline. But questions remain as to whether awareness alone can compete with the accessibility of online betting and the financial desperation driving many into gambling.
The contrast is stark: awareness stands at 82.9%, yet problem gambling is climbing. For regions already hardest hit, campaigns like Dreams Before Dices may be too little, too late. The uncomfortable reality is that while Botswana talks more than ever about gambling risks, addiction continues to deepen its grip.
