Botswana is experiencing an alarming rise in gambling addiction

Trade and Enterprise Minister Tiroeaone Ntsimoi has released a report that reveals horrifying statistics, according to which 36.6% of Botswana’s population actively gambles, and 6.7% of residents show signs of gambling addiction. It also turns out that 20% of gamblers are minors, breaking the law prohibiting their participation in such activity until they are 21 years old.

In addition, the study found that:

1. Problem gamblers are 35 times more likely to think about suicide than people without gambling addiction.
2. Problem gamblers are 3 times more likely to seek medical attention for physical or mental health problems.
3. Problem gamblers are 2 times more likely to want to use drugs when they get into trouble.
4. Problem gamblers are 2.5 times more likely to experience depression.

The statistics are terrifying, and gambling is attracting more and more people, so the following recommendations have been developed to reduce the growth of the problem:

1. Raising awareness

• Developing targeted educational programs for the population about the risks of gambling.
• Promoting responsible gambling through the media, schools, workplaces and community organizations.
• Increasing the involvement of community leaders in prevention.

2. Advertising regulation

• Introducing restrictions on gambling advertising, especially for vulnerable groups (young people, unemployed).
• Mandatory warnings about the risks of addiction in all advertising materials.

3. Access control

• Developing and implementing a self-exclusion system.
• Mandatory verification of the age of players.
• Tightening identification requirements in online gambling.

4. Operator assessment and licensing

• Introducing stricter requirements for operator licensing, with an emphasis on social responsibility.
• Mandatory availability of addiction prevention programs for operators.

5. Monitoring and data collection

• Creating a national database on problem gambling.
• Conducting regular research on the dynamics of player behavior.
• Introducing digital tools to track risky player activity.

6. Access to help and treatment

• Expanding the network of accessible psychological support centers.
• State funding for gambling addiction treatment programs.
• Increasing the qualifications of specialists in the field of behavioral addictions.