In the field of gambling regulation in Africa, Botswana is gradually establishing a model worth emulating. Recently, the media interviewed Portia Diteko, the director in charge of "responsible gambling" affairs at the Botswana Gambling Authority (GBB), who detailed the country's experience in institutional construction, public education, and industry collaboration.
Legislative Foundation Sets the Ceiling: Mandatory Taxes and Clear Responsibilities
Portia Diteko stated that the robustness of Botswana's gambling regulatory framework is crucially due to the core position of responsible gambling being clarified at the time of legislation. The "Gambling Act" explicitly requires operators to pay a 3.5% "responsible gambling tax," which is dedicated to project development and user support services, not only ensuring the sustainability of the projects but also pushing the regulation to the forefront.
The high level of government attention to this issue is also crucial. She mentioned, "We can communicate directly with the President's office on gambling-related affairs, which political support enables us to more effectively implement policies."
Science and Humanities Combined: Research-Based, Anti-Stigmatization as the Goal
Another feature of Botswana's gambling regulation is its research-oriented approach. The regulatory body has an independent research institution specifically analyzing the social impact of gambling behavior to develop localized, adaptive intervention measures.
Diteko also emphasized that public prejudice against gambling often leads to problems being overlooked or even hidden, hence they continuously convey an important concept to the outside world: "Responsible gambling is not anti-gambling." Only by reducing stigmatization can the industry have a space for long-term sustainable development.
Comprehensive Prevention + Precise Treatment: "Motshameko o Phepa" Nationwide Promotion
To enhance the whole society's correct recognition of gambling, Botswana has launched a nationwide campaign called "Motshameko o Phepa" (meaning "Healthy Gaming"). The project is divided into two parts: one is to popularize the concept of rational gambling among adults; the other is to launch the "Dreams First, Gambling Later" campaign for youths under 21, encouraging them to focus on life goals and stay away from addiction risks.
In addition to promotion, Diteko's team also promotes the construction of treatment services, and they now provide free psychological counseling services for addicts and their families. She frankly stated, "We cannot only do prevention, those 5% of people already affected also need help."
Co-building Mechanisms with the Industry: Training, Forums, and Dialogues are Not Formalities
Unlike many countries' adversarial stance of "regulation vs. licensees," Botswana encourages co-governance. Diteko revealed that they have launched a "Responsible Gambling First Aid" course to train operators' frontline staff in identifying addiction signs, initial intervention, and crisis referral capabilities.
Furthermore, the regulatory body regularly holds exchange forums, allowing operators to participate in regulatory discussions, make suggestions, and communicate difficulties in implementation with the regulatory departments. This cooperative mechanism has become a core institutional design of Botswana's gambling governance.
Gambling is Not Just Gambling, But a Part of the National Development Strategy
Discussing the future of the gambling industry, Diteko stated that Botswana no longer views gambling as an isolated industry but as an important component of its economic diversification strategy. As a country traditionally reliant on diamonds, beef, and tourism, gambling has been given the role of bearing the responsibility for transformation during times when these industries are weak.
She emphasized, "When issuing new licenses, foreign applicants must cooperate with locals and must have a corporate social responsibility plan. This ensures that Botswana citizens can directly benefit from the gambling economy."
Regulations Must Also Evolve Dynamically: Preparing for AI and Online Gambling
Facing the rapid development of emerging technologies and forms of gambling, Diteko revealed that the Botswana government has begun to revise existing gambling legislation, expected to cover artificial intelligence, online gambling platforms, and user data protection among other dimensions, ensuring that the law always keeps pace with the industry forefront.
Conclusion: Experience Can Be Replicated, But the Path Must Be Localized
Diteko finally emphasized that other African countries looking to emulate the Botswana model should not blindly copy but should conduct in-depth research, clarify responsibility boundaries, and build collaboration platforms according to their own national conditions. Only by understanding the real needs and psychological cognition of the people can effective and accepted regulatory policies be formulated.
In Botswana, gambling is not just entertainment, but a national experiment integrating governance, education, and development concepts. This experiment is gradually showing its effectiveness and prospects.
