Botswana Launches Nationwide Responsible Gambling Campaign Targeting 500 Sites
The Botswana Gambling Authority has launched Motshameko o Phepa, a responsible gambling campaign targeting 500 sites across all districts by mid-2026. The initiative takes awareness education directly to communities through face-to-face events.
Mobile Teams Deploy Across 27 Administrative Districts
Two teams travel daily covering one urban and one rural site, each with branded vehicles, printed guides, and live demonstrations. Each stop lasts two to three hours, including briefings on setting limits, understanding odds, and accessing support services. The campaign has visited Francistown, Gaborone Bus Rank, Tlokweng, Mogoditshane, Molepolole, Maun, and multiple other locations since September 22, 2025.
The BGA licenses more than 200 operators and regulates around 1,200 limited payout machines across 250 venues. The industry generates approximately $2.244 million in annual government revenue. Officials say unchecked play leads to debt, family stress, and lost productivity. In 2024, the BGA supported over 300 people via counseling referrals and self-exclusion requests. The regulator expects to double that figure within two years.
Campaign Targets 50,000 Direct Contacts with Education
At every site, the authority promotes its toll-free helpline and online self-assessment tool alongside local clinic partnerships. The regulator tracks participation through sign-in sheets and follow-up surveys targeting 50,000 direct contacts. Early data from the first 15 sites show 68% of attendees learned a new responsible gambling practice.
A 2023 BGA study in Selebi-Phikwe found communities with higher awareness levels have fewer loan defaults tied to gambling. The campaign extends beyond individual players to societies by reducing financial harm and family stress through education.
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