6 September 2026
Days after Botswanaβs National Assembly passed legislation proposing changes to the countryβs gambling framework, the Gambling Authority has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the development and operation of bingo and casino establishments.
The EOI is part of the Authorityβs strategic licensing roll-out. It seeks information from investors interested in developing and operating bingo and casino establishments in Botswana.
The regulator said the information gathered through the process will be used to assess market interest in the proposed licence categories, inform future licensing and regulatory planning, assist with developing licence specifications and application requirements, and inform future Requests for Applications where applicable.
The EOI is not a licence application or a Request for Applications. The Authority also states that submitting an expression of interest does not guarantee participation in any future licensing process or create an entitlement or expectation that a licence will be issued.
Proposed locations for bingo and casinos
The EOI sets out proposed locations for both licence categories. For bingo, the proposed locations cover Central District, Kweneng District, Kgatleng District, North-East District, South-East District, Southern District, Kgalagadi and Ghanzi Districts, and North-West and Chobe Districts.
The proposed casino locations are Central District, Maun and Kasane/Pandamatenga. The Authority said the districts have been subdivided in accordance with the approved Licensing and Location Plan.
The EOI is aimed at investors with relevant capacity and experience. Interested parties are asked to provide a brief company profile covering their ownership structure, shareholder information where applicable, areas of specialisation and relevant experience.
They must also provide details of experience in the gambling, hospitality, tourism, leisure or property development sectors.
ππ«π£π₯ππ¦π¦ππ’π‘π’πππ‘π§ππ₯ππ¦π§ (ππ’π) ππ’π₯ π§ππ πππ©πππ’π£π ππ‘π§ ππ‘π π’π£ππ₯ππ§ππ’π‘ π’π πππ‘ππ’ ππ‘π πππ¦ππ‘π’ ππ¦π§πππππ¦ππ ππ‘π§π¦ ππ‘ ππ’π§π¦πͺππ‘π
For more details, visit www.gamblingauthority.co.bw or call +267 3957672.
Investors must outline proposed developments
Prospective investors are required to submit an overview of their proposed development concept, including the proposed licence category and preferred location. The Authority is also seeking details of the proposed investment, including indicative capital investment, the funding approach where available and the anticipated implementation timeframe.
Applicants must provide information demonstrating their financial and technical capability to undertake the proposed development. The EOI also asks investors to indicate the anticipated economic benefits of their proposals, including employment creation and local participation.
Citizen participation is another part of the submission requirements. Investors are asked to indicate the extent of citizen participation in the proposed business, including citizen shareholding, board and management representation and employment opportunities for Botswana citizens.
The Authority has asked interested parties to keep their submissions concise. It has also advised applicants not to submit protected intellectual property, proprietary information, trade secrets, commercially sensitive information or other confidential information as part of their EOI.
Submissions due in October
Expressions of Interest must be submitted electronically to licensing@gamblingauthority.co.bw by 15:00 hours on 16 October 2026. The date and time the email is received at the Authorityβs designated email address will constitute the official time of submission. Late submissions will not be accepted or considered. The Authority reserves the right to amend, suspend or withdraw the EOI at any time.
The notice also states that submitting an EOI does not constitute a licence application or a Request for Applications, or guarantee participation in any future licensing process.
EOI follows recent gambling reforms
The EOI follows Botswanaβs National Assembly approving the Gambling (Amendment) Bill, 2026 at its Third Reading on 13 August. The Bill was approved with 20 votes in favour, one against and one abstention, while one member did not vote.
Among the proposed changes is a reduction in the minimum gambling age from 21 to 18. The Bill provides that the resulting Act will come into operation on a date appointed by the Minister through an order published in the Gazette.
The amendments also cover licensing, fit-and-proper requirements, ownership and controlling interests, financial offences, gambling equipment, amusement arcades and anti-money laundering requirements. The Billβs memorandum states that the proposed changes are intended to align the Gambling Authority Act with the Financial Intelligence Act and Financial Action Task Force standards.
During parliamentary consideration of the gambling-age provision, Labour and Home Affairs Minister Maj. Gen. Mokgware said:
βDo not have legislations which you cannot enforce, it is dangerous.β
Source: https://shorturl.at/TBgEP
