Botswana Gambling Authority expands responsible gambling outreach in Maun

Botswana’s Gambling Authority has continued its public education work in Maun, using a community football event to engage residents on gambling-related risks, safer betting habits and available support services.

Botswana’s Gambling Authority has continued its responsible gambling outreach in Maun through a new public education activation aimed at helping residents understand the risks linked to gambling and the importance of safer betting behaviour.

On May 17, the Authority participated in a Sunday Soccer event organised by the New Jerusalem Social Club in Maun. Officials operated an information stall and a mobile clinic, where members of the public received guidance on responsible gambling, including how to recognise harmful gambling patterns, set personal limits and make more informed decisions when taking part in betting activities.

The activation follows the Authority’s wider outreach work in Maun. In April, the regulator held a two-day mobile clinic campaign at Mall of Maun and New Mall, where officials engaged residents on gambling-related harm, responsible play and available support channels for people experiencing gambling problems. That campaign also focused on informed decision-making, setting limits and recognising early signs of risky gambling behaviour.

The Maun activities form part of Botswana’s broader responsible gambling strategy. The Gambling Authority says its core role is to regulate the gambling industry, issue licences, ensure compliance with licence conditions and promote a fair and safe gambling environment. Its services also include prevention and rehabilitation programmes for excessive or compulsive gambling.

The regulator’s public-facing tools include self-evaluation through the Problem Gambling Severity Index, self-exclusion, third-party exclusion and access to counselling support. The Authority also states that public education on healthy gambling and curbing negative effects is part of its responsible gambling work.

The choice of a community sports event is significant. Football gatherings bring together young people, families and casual betting audiences, making them useful spaces for early prevention. By taking responsible gambling information outside formal offices and into community settings, the Authority is trying to reach people before gambling-related harm becomes more serious.

For Botswana’s gambling sector, the Maun outreach shows that regulation is not limited to licensing and enforcement. Public education, harm prevention and access to support are becoming central parts of market supervision. The challenge now will be to maintain regular community engagement and measure whether these campaigns lead to safer gambling behaviour among players.