Gambling Authority Warns Public Against Illegal Betting Operators in Botswana. The Gambling Authority of Botswana has issued a cautionary notice alerting the public to the growing presence of illegal betting and gambling companies operating without proper licenses in the country.
According to the Authority, several online betting platforms, including Bet365, Forzza, 1XBET, and Betwinners, have recently been identified as operating illegally within Botswana. While some of these companies have been forced to stop their activities, the Authority warns that new unlicensed operators continue to enter the market.
By law, all betting companies operating in Botswana must be licensed by the Gambling Authority. This licensing process is designed to protect the public from fraudulent and unregulated gambling services. The Authority has emphasized that engaging with unlicensed betting platforms puts individuals at risk of financial loss, and in such cases, no assistance can be provided to recover lost funds.
Furthermore, the Gambling Authority has reminded the public that participation in betting through unlicensed companies is a criminal offence under the Gambling Act of 2012. As of now, only a select group of companies are legally authorized to provide betting services in Botswana. These include Sunbet, PstBet, Bet Pula, Bet 267, Betway, BBets, BetNova, BetXplosion, ChopBet, and Pentagon Gaming.
The Authority encourages anyone uncertain about the legitimacy of a betting operator to contact the Gambling Authority directly for verification. The public is urged to exercise caution and to support only licensed operators to ensure a safe and regulated betting environment in Botswana.
