Key Moments:
- Eswatini’s lawmakers have approved a motion to create a centralized system for monitoring online gambling platforms.
- The new motion requires Minister Jane Simelane to submit a progress report to Parliament within two months.
- There are over 380,000 registered online gamblers in Eswatini according to recent legislative discussions.
Legislative Action on Digital Gambling Platforms
Faced with mounting concerns around problem gambling, the Kingdom of Eswatini’s House of Assembly has taken a significant step toward implementing centralized oversight for online gambling operators. The move came after intense deliberations, during which the need to address unchecked access to digital gambling platforms was underscored.
Efforts to Protect Vulnerable Groups
The motion, spearheaded by Ngudzeni MP Charles Ndlovu, calls for a regulatory structure designed to keep minors from participating in gambling activities. Beyond preventing underage involvement, the proposed framework seeks to provide assistance to individuals struggling with gambling addiction. During the parliamentary discussions, Ndlovu emphasized the lasting damage early gambling exposure can inflict, pointing to risks such as emotional turmoil and the development of unhealthy financial habits.
“Children’s early exposure to gambling increases their risk of addiction, their health and social harms like neglect and crime. They lack exposure to financial management and protection, which can lead to psychological and emotional distress,” Ndlovu stated.
Regulatory Loopholes and Industry Response
Lawmakers also highlighted the inadequacies of existing legislation. Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo noted that while the Gaming Act of 2022 requires licensing for traditional bookmakers, it does not mention digital platforms. This omission, according to Khumalo, has enabled companies to operate online betting services, including sports wagering and casino games, without formal regulation.
“The ministry issued licences for bookmaker’s licence, not online gambling. I am saying this because I do not want the Minister, while compiling the report, to include things that are not catered for in the legislation and mislead the House,” he told the Chamber.
Khumalo advised fellow lawmakers that Minister Simelane’s progress report should be limited to areas currently covered under the law, avoiding inclusion of online gambling, as it stands outside the existing legal framework.
Similar arguments have been raised in the Senate, where officials cautioned that setting high licensing fees may inadvertently drive gambling businesses underground, opposing the goal of increased regulatory oversight. Earlier this year, legislators put forth another motion seeking swift amendments to the Gaming Act to address these regulatory gaps.
Online Gambling Participation and Next Steps
Lawmakers revealed that there are now more than 380,000 registered online gamblers in Eswatini, placing increased pressure on authorities to bring online betting under formal regulation. MP Welcome Dlamini of Mbabane East, a supporter of the new motion, relayed stark examples of gambling’s social impact, stating:
“Irresponsible gambling not only breaks families, but it causes financial hardships, leading to divorces at times.”
Currently, while land-based casinos and lotteries operate under official licenses, online gambling continues in a loosely regulated space. The latest parliamentary motion obliges Minister Simelane to deliver a progress update within two months, detailing policy plans, deadlines, and consultations with industry stakeholders and advocacy groups.
Eswatini Gambling Regulation Snapshot
| Regulatory Area | Status |
|---|---|
| Land-based Casinos & Lotteries | Licensed under Gaming Act 2022 |
| Online Gambling Platforms | Not currently regulated |
| Registered Online Gamblers | Over 380,000 |
| Next Policy Review | Progress report due in two months |
- Author
Daniel Williams
