Botswana Gambling Authority highlights regulated gaming as engine for economic growth at Botswana Economic Forum 2025

On 18 November 2025 at the Gaborone International Conference Centre (GICC), the inaugural Botswana Economic Forum featured a keynote address by the Botswana Gambling Authority (BGA) in which the regulator identified regulated gambling as a potential catalyst for job creation, innovation and economic diversification.

Acting CEO Moruntshi Kemorwale addressed business leaders and policymakers, stating that “with proper oversight, the gaming sector can be more than entertainment—it can become a strategic contributor to Botswana’s Vision 2036 goals.” He cited global data showing that regulated gambling supports hundreds of millions of jobs worldwide and described how technological trends—such as digital betting, esports and immersive gaming platforms—could align with Botswana’s economic agenda.

The BGA emphasised the need for balanced regulation: ensuring responsible gaming and player protection while enabling operators and platform providers to contribute to employment, tourism, and tax revenue growth. The forum presentation highlighted how the BGA would work with investment stakeholders and tech-start-ups to build a “gaming cluster” that supports emerging ecosystems in fintech, entertainment and tourism.

For industry stakeholders—operators, affiliates, investors and regulators—this signals that Botswana is positioning its gambling framework not only for revenue generation, but as a tool of economic policy. Key considerations for market entrants: regulatory certainty, alignment with national diversification goals, and the potential for first-mover advantages in a developing regulated gaming environment.