Botswanas view on regulating risk in digital gambling at GTSA
Peter Kesitilwe, CEO of the Gambling Authority of Botswana, opened the discussion on managing the rapidly evolving threats in online gaming. With the launch of Sunbet, PST Bet, Bet Slots and Betway, digital gambling has flourished, but so too have associated risks. Botswana now faces one of the highest rates of digital fraud in the region, prompting the Authority to tighten oversight and adopt rigorous technical standards.
Digital fraud and unlicensed operators??
Botswana accounts for 72% of all digital fraud attempts in Southern Africa, according to recent data. The proliferation of unlicensed operators heightens the problem. 29% of gamblers in the country place bets with unauthorised platforms such as 1Xbet, 888sport, Betwinners, and Bet365. Kesitilwe warned that weak KYC systems on these sites leave minors vulnerable and facilitate fraud, money laundering and identity theft. With digital monitoring and surveillance at an all-time high, we must ensure that licensed operators adhere to strict KYC and AML protocols, he said.
Integrity risks in sports betting??
The surge in sports betting has introduced fresh integrity challenges. Match-fixing and outcome manipulation occur when players, officials or coaches alter results for financial gain. Insider information abuse, where confidential details are leaked to influence betting markets, has also risen. Advanced technologies enable illicit actors to deploy bots, artificial intelligence, or algorithmic trading to manipulate odds and data feeds in real time. Kesitilwe highlighted another concern: Regulatory gaps and inconsistent frameworks across jurisdictions create enforcement loopholes that criminal syndicates exploit.
Technical standards and game testing??
To address these threats, the Gambling Authority of Botswana mandates that all gaming machines and software undergo certification to through approved laboratories. This testing covers game integrity, randomness and resistance to tampering. In addition, game-localisation testing now requires cybersecurity checks and mandatory digital fingerprinting (checksums) to verify software authenticity. Operators must submit penetration test reports, along with documented cybersecurity, data protection, and anti-money laundering policies. These measures ensure products comply with both local rules and regional best practices.
Onsite inspections and staff training??
Beyond technical certification, the Authority conducts regular onsite inspections of retail outlets and data centres. These reviews confirm that gaming systems are securely configured, that logs and audit trails are maintained and that payment channels are encrypted. All operator staff, particularly customer-service agents, IT personnel and compliance officers must complete mandatory responsible gaming training before licensing. Kesitilwe stressed: Our goal is to couple technology with a well-trained workforce capable of detecting suspicious behaviour and guiding vulnerable players toward support resources.
The shift to online and mobile betting demands secure payment infrastructures. Licensed operators must integrate approved digital wallet solutions or bank-grade encryption for transactions. These systems reduce the risk of interception, fraud and unauthorised account access. In parallel, consumer-protection standards require transparent displays of licence numbers, age-restriction warnings and self-exclusion options. Real-time monitoring tools track unusual betting patterns, triggering alerts for risk-management teams to investigate potential fraud or problem gambling.
Balancing regulation and regional cooperation
While tightening controls, the Gambling Authority remains mindful of regional harmonisation. As regulators, at times, we tend to overregulate. Establishing our national standards might hinder regional cooperation. We work in a global world, after all, Kesitilwe remarked. Botswana continues to collaborate with neighbouring regulators to align standards, share intelligence and coordinate enforcement actions against cross-border operators. Joint initiatives include information-sharing platforms, mutual recognition of test labs and multilateral regulatory workshops.
Botswanas proactive approach to digital gambling aims to find a balance between innovation and consumer safety. By enforcing stringent technical standards, conducting thorough inspections and enhancing staff capabilities, aims to curb fraud, protect minors and uphold the integrity of sports betting. Regional cooperation remains central to this effort, ensuring that as digital gambling evolves, so too does the capacity to regulate risk effectively across borders.??
