Botswana parliament passes Gambling (Amendment) Bill, keeping proposal to lower the legal gambling age to 18

Botswana’s National Assembly has passed the Gambling (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and kept the clause that would cut the legal gambling age from 21 to 18. For licensed operators and PSPs watching the market, the key point is simple: the framework is moving, but it is not in force yet.

1. The bill passed at third reading on 13 August after second reading debate and clause-by-clause consideration in committee. It has not yet been confirmed as having received presidential assent or entered into force, so the current legal position remains unchanged for now.
2. If enacted, the measure would amend the Gambling Authority Act (Cap. 19:03). Its provisions would take effect on a date appointed by the responsible minister through an order published in the Government Gazette, which means implementation timing still sits with the executive rather than the parliament vote itself.
3. Clause 2 is the politically sensitive bit. Opposition MPs wanted Botswana to keep the current minimum age of 21, but the bill passed with the clause intact, replacing references in the Act to “the age of 21” with “the age of 18”. In other words, the amendment would align gambling access with Botswana’s general age of majority.
4. During debate, Labour and Home Affairs Minister Major General Pius Mokgware argued that lawmakers should not adopt rules that cannot be enforced in practice, saying: “Do not have legislations which you cannot enforce, it is dangerous.” On the other side, Moshupa/Manyana MP Karabo Gare and Botswana Congress Party MP Kenny Kapinga argued that 18-year-olds remain vulnerable to early exposure and addiction.
5. The reform sits against a broader enforcement problem. In January, Acting Gambling Authority CEO Moruntshi Kemorwale said reported problem gambling had declined from 5% in 2020 to 3.4% in 2025, helped by the National Responsible Gambling Programme and nationwide education and outreach. He also said the Authority was working with police against illegal promoters and that its approach to licensed operators combines guidance, compliance, and enforcement.

For high-risk payment firms, the practical read is that Botswana is trying to formalize a sector that already has demand, while also drawing a sharper line between licensed operators and illegal betting. If the age change is signed into law, onboarding, KYC, and merchant-risk policies will need to reflect an 18+ threshold rather than 21.