Gambling Authority seeks qualified investors to expand regulated gaming infrastructure across key tourism and economic regions
The Gambling Authority of Botswana has invited qualified investors to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the development and operation of new bingo and casino establishments across the country. The initiative is intended to assess investor interest, identify operators with the required technical and financial capabilities, and provide the Authority with information to support future licensing decisions.
The latest move signals Botswana’s intention to further develop its regulated gambling sector while attracting investment into gaming facilities across several strategically selected locations.
Casino Projects Target Key Economic Hubs
Under the EOI process, casino licences are being considered for locations identified as important tourism and economic centres.
The proposed casino development areas include Maun, Kasane/Pandamatenga and the Central District.
These locations could provide investors with opportunities to develop gaming establishments that complement Botswana’s wider tourism and hospitality infrastructure.
Maun, in particular, serves as an important gateway to the Okavango Delta and has a strong tourism profile. Kasane is similarly significant because of its proximity to major tourism attractions and its position as an important destination for visitors travelling through the region.
The inclusion of these locations indicates that the Authority is looking at gaming development not only from a gambling perspective but also in the context of broader economic and tourism activity.
Bingo Licences Cover Multiple Districts
The EOI also provides opportunities for investors interested in establishing bingo operations.
Unlike the casino category, which focuses on selected locations, bingo licences are proposed across a much wider geographical area.
The identified districts include Central, Kweneng, Kgatleng, North-East, South-East, Southern, Kgalagadi, Ghanzi, North-West and Chobe.
The distribution of potential bingo licences suggests an effort to create opportunities for regulated gaming across multiple parts of Botswana.
It could also allow the Authority to evaluate how different gaming formats can operate within specific local markets while remaining consistent with the country’s licensing and location framework.
Authority Seeking Capable Investors
The Expression of Interest process is not simply intended to measure the number of companies interested in entering Botswana’s gaming market.
The Gambling Authority is also seeking information about the technical and financial capacity of prospective operators.
This means potential investors are expected to demonstrate that they have the resources, expertise and operational capability required to establish and manage gaming facilities responsibly.
Such requirements are important for maintaining standards within a regulated gambling environment. Investors entering the market must be capable of meeting regulatory obligations while delivering commercially sustainable operations.
EOI to Inform Future Licensing
Another important objective of the initiative is to help the Gambling Authority understand market interest before future licensing roll-outs.
Information gathered through the EOI process can provide regulators with a clearer picture of the number and type of investors interested in particular locations.
It can also help the Authority assess whether proposed developments are commercially viable and appropriately distributed across the country.
The process therefore represents an early-stage market assessment as Botswana considers the future expansion of its bingo and casino sectors.
Stronger Regulation and Market Development
The development of new licensed gaming establishments could contribute to the growth of Botswana’s formal gambling economy.
A well-regulated gaming sector can generate economic activity through investment, employment, tourism and related hospitality services. New casinos and bingo venues may also create opportunities for local businesses connected to accommodation, entertainment, food and other tourism services.
However, market expansion also requires effective regulatory oversight.
As more operators enter the sector, the Gambling Authority will have an important role in ensuring that licensees comply with applicable legislation, responsible gambling requirements and operational standards.
The expansion of gaming facilities must therefore be accompanied by appropriate consumer protection and regulatory controls.
Strict Submission Requirements
The Gambling Authority has also outlined strict requirements for investors participating in the EOI process.
Submissions sent by postal mail, fax, Telex or telefax will not be accepted. Late or incomplete submissions will also be rejected.
Potential applicants seeking clarification have been instructed to submit their questions or requests through the designated licensing email at least two working days before the deadline.
The Authority has further stated that its staff are prohibited from providing verbal clarification about the EOI. This is intended to maintain consistency and fairness throughout the process by ensuring that all prospective applicants receive information through the appropriate formal channels.
Opportunity for Botswana’s Gaming Industry
The EOI represents a potentially significant opportunity for Botswana’s gambling sector.
For international and domestic investors, the initiative creates an opportunity to explore entry into a regulated market with designated areas for both casino and bingo developments.
For the government and the Gambling Authority, attracting capable investors could support the expansion of the regulated gaming industry while generating additional economic activity.
The focus on specific development areas also provides a structured approach to market expansion rather than allowing gaming establishments to develop without consideration of location and market conditions.
Looking Ahead
Botswana’s latest EOI demonstrates the Gambling Authority’s intention to carefully assess the next phase of the country’s casino and bingo market.
By seeking expressions of interest before future licensing decisions, the regulator can evaluate investor appetite, assess technical and financial capacity and gather market intelligence needed for effective planning.
The proposed casino locations of Maun, Kasane/Pandamatenga and the Central District, together with the extensive list of districts available for bingo development, could create new opportunities for investment across Botswana.
For prospective operators, the process provides an opportunity to position themselves for participation in future licensing rounds. For Botswana, it could mark another step towards developing a broader, structured and well-regulated gaming industry while connecting gambling investment with the country’s wider economic and tourism ambitions.
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