Online Casino Botswana

Botswana Online Casino Sites

From mobile to free online casinos, 1Casino1 is dedicated to providing the best directory of most trusted & real online casinos. While technology has advanced to make life easier, it’s often abused for criminal acts such as hacking, scamming and other unfavorable experiences. Always be very careful when browsing the web and using online casinos.

Here are 5 tips to ensure you play safe

Only gamble at licensed casinos

All licensed casinos also have a legal disclaimer that players should be 18 years and older. They should also have a customer support feature, display their location and valid contact information.

Always read the Terms and Conditions

Always read the Terms and Conditions on the site (fine print) for hidden fees or clauses. There may be vital information that pertains to safety, whether your information is shared with third parties or information about reimbursements.

Only use web-based casinos

Only use web-based casinos that do not ask you to download software in order to play and always use anti-virus software and ad blockers.

Look for the ‘padlock’ symbol in the URL

Look for the ‘padlock’ symbol in the URL of the gambling site, this indicates the connection is secure. This symbol means that the website has an SSL Certificate. In the payment section you should also be able to view a logo or badge of the company that is providing the server security. It’s an internet standard to have SSL, if a website does not display any sign of this, it would be wise to refrain from entering your sensitive data and credit card details.

Choose a safe online method of payment

Choose a safe online method of payment such as an e-wallet (like Skrill and PayPal online casinos) that prevents direct tapping into your credit cards if you can. In addition, before registering, take note of the various payment options that are available, the currencies that the casino accepts and conversion rates. Many international websites do not accept the local Botswana currency.

Now that you have these simple guidelines down, where can you go in Botswana to engage in online betting, whether it’s slots, online poker or roulette? While Botswana has a big number of popular online sites where players can register, these sites are actually not based in the country itself. This is because there is no official licensing authority with regards to online gambling in the country to this day. Players can however access a big number of online casinos. A common feature that all of these casinos have are “bonuses”. These are promotional offers that a new member can access when they first sign up. They can consist of free spins, free credits or cash. These are not to be cashed out and purely for use to build your casino bankroll and use for games to up your odds at winning. Always compare welcome bonuses before registering on a site and be aware of sites that ask you to buy bonuses at hefty prices.

Online Gambling in Botswana: Laws and Regulations

As mentioned before, online gambling is allowed in Botswana but they do not have legislation in place to create local websites for placing bets, running jackpots, poker and all the common features of a typical online casino. The sites that players often use are foreign based. These overseas casinos, however, are now required by law to obtain a license from the recently commissioned Botswana Gambling Authority (BGA). Once the casinos have acquired a license then their sites can be officially accessible online for players in Botswana.

Some other key points to note about online gambling in Botswana are:

• Not all gambling sites accept the Botswana Pula currency but have a wide variety of payment platforms that can be accessed in Botswana
• Out of a population of approximately 2.3 million people, Internet users make up to 47.5% of the population. The growing rate of internet users also means that more adults have access to online gambling if they choose to.
• Mobile phone usage is also on the rise and give the option of mobile casino apps for Android and iOS platforms

Since it isn’t heavily regulated, there is some risk involved when players from Botswana engage in betting activities on foreign casino websites. Fraud, phishing and hacking scams are threats that exist online. To combat this, it is recommended that players be well informed about the latest developments in these criminal activities and be wary of suspicious websites or requests. Being cautious about the amount of information you give out online as well as securing your finances should be a top priority.

Finding out whether a site is licensed to cater services to Botswana users is also a good preventative measure to take. Since, online casinos are not covered in the Gambling Act, it means that the users are allowed to access such sites at their own risk. In any event of fraud or getting scammed, the local authorities cannot assist in recovery of funds or persecution of the offenders. All attempts to seek justice must be requested in the country where the website is based. It can involve a lot of red tape and be costly to pursue and there is no guarantee that a user will be reimbursed.

Mobile phone users are also at risk of downloading apps that may not be secure and also need to be vigilant and aware of the apps they are choosing to use. Proper research can prevent any issues and players can then be aware of which apps are legitimate and safe to use. All slots have an app and is a trusted and popular online gaming service that many people are familiar with and it feels safe to participate in the services.

Gambling History in Botswana

Land based casinos, and casinos that make up part of a resort are the main gambling bodies that are completely regulated, licensed and monitored by the Botswana Gambling Authority. These ‘brick and mortar’ establishments are known for attracting tourists and locals to participate in the various games and card tournaments they offer.

Before the 2012, all gambling and betting protocols were governed by the Lotteries and Betting Act and the Casino Act which was passed in the 1970s. A call to upgrade and amend the laws was made and passed in 2012, shortly after the Botswana Gambling Authority (BGA) was founded to oversee all gambling operations. The 2012 Act redefined the terms of licensing and covered a wider range of gambling services. There is, however, no mention of online gambling but it is not illegal. Other types of betting that is legal in Botswana include bingo, sports betting including online betting on these types of gambles. Anything online based is internationally operated.

Currently, there is no established National Lottery, however, the BGA has been working on getting the necessary approvals to allow the installment of such. It is most likely to experience a breakthrough before the end of 2020. The National Lottery intends to contribute to cultural and sport programs in the country upon legalization.  Other lotteries that run for nonprofit purposes are allowed.

The casino industry employs hundreds of Botswanans and contributes to the income of the country and its overall development. The two largest casinos in Botswana are the Gaborone Sun Hotel and Casino and the Grand Palm Hotel Casino Convention Resort.  These casinos work 24/7 and they offer a wide selection of slot machines and other exciting casino games. The Sediment & Cresta Thapama Hotel in Francistown offers 80+ gaming machines, 6 table and poker games, which are Roulette, Blackjack and Casino Hold’em. King’s Casino, Letsatsi Casino, Menateng Casino, Moonlite Casino, Sedibeng Casino, Syringa Casino and Marang Hotel and Casino (a South African hotel chain) are some other well-known locations in the country. The majority of these establishments are located in the capital, the more densely populated smaller cities and tourist zones.

In order to play in Botswana casinos, you need to be 18 years and older to be granted entry and access to games.

The Future of Online Gambling in Botswana

With the growing rate of Internet access and users in Botswana and the popularity of online betting sites, it’s only a matter of time before online casinos can be reviewed and added to the existing legislation that for now only covers physical, land-based establishments.

Casinos bring in a lot of revenue especially from tourists which can further develop the growing economy.

As a landlocked country with no coastal attractions the governing bodies within Botswana must get creative with generating income for the development of the country. Adjusting or upgrading the legislature to include the regulation of online casinos can help to boost the industry in the country and offer more options to neighboring African states where there may be heavier restrictions imposed on gambling.

Additionally, the mobile app industry can also see a positive boom if online gambling becomes regularized within Botswana. Sites can gain traction and exposure from developing their own apps to facilitate their services on the go. There is also the potential for global participation which means more funds can be generated.

For the time being, players in Botswana place their bets on foreign sites, this means that their transactions are sent out of the country to pay for slots and bets. Highlighting this to the relevant authorities can aid in lobbying for the Botswana Gambling Authority to consider amending the current Gambling Act (2012) and making the necessary appeals to the Government.

Botswana Casino Online FAQ (5)

• Is It Legal to Play on Online Gambling Sites in Botswana?

  While no online gambling sites are based in Botswana it is legal for citizens and tourists to participate in web-based casinos that allow Internet traffic from Botswana to their sites. It is safe to gamble in international casinos as long as they accept players from Botswana.

• Do Botswana Authorities Allow for Online Sports Betting?

  Sports betting is legal in Botswana, but online sports betting is not regulated by the authorities and there are no locally based sites but players can access international websites if they choose to do so and it will not be considered as breaking any law.

• Is online gambling safe for Botswana?

  It is safe to gamble for Botswana citizens at international casinos websites. However, as with all online transactions there is some risk involved in monetary payments that are conducted via casino websites. Users of these websites are urged to practice safe Internet use, to look out for suspicious activity and thoroughly read terms and conditions or membership agreements upon joining the websites.

• Are Bonuses Offered by Online Casinos in Botswana?

  Many international online casinos offer bonuses to players based in Botswana. Again, it should be noted that all forms of online gambling are not based in Botswana due to the lack of legislation. It is not forbidden, however and locals can access overseas based sites to engage in online betting.

• What Are the Available Deposit Methods?

  While most online casinos do not accept the local currency of Botswana there are many options through which transactions can be made and currency converted. Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, Paypal, Skrill, Maestro, Bitcoin, Wire Transfer and other e- wallet platforms can be used to deposit bets or receive winnings.