Sports betting has exploded in the country of late, with many Batswana trying their fortunes on the various platforms.

However, the Authority warned the public that Bet365, Forzza, 1XBET, Betwinners “and others,” due to their failure to comply with the new gambling regulations, some of which require such firms to have two offices of operation in the country.

The Authority issued a warning to illegal operators recently in a statement threatening to pounce on those that continue to operate in the country without licensing.

“Some of these companies have since been forced to cease their operations,” the Gambling Authority said in a statement earlier today. “This list is not exhaustive as new illegally operating companies continue finding their way into the Botswana market.”

Bet365 recently announced that it would be ceasing operations in Botswana, sending shockwaves amongst many sport betting fanatics who used the platform in the country.

It remains unclear whether the platform is seeking to comply with the law and make its way back into Botswana, or whether it has decided to pack its bags and leave.

The country’s regulators, who include the Gambling Authority and the Non-Bank Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority, are tightening their surveillance of digital activities in the country. Preliminary studies indicate that some illegal betting platforms as well as cryptocurrency operations are skirting local laws and making huge revenues off Batswana.

Speaking recently, Minister of Trade and Industry, Tiroeaone Ntsima, said that the country has been reviewing its gambling legislation and was keen on unlocking the value of the industry while also ensuring integrity and fair play.

“The country is repositioning itself as a hub for investment, innovation, and responsible gambling practices,” he said. “The government has set clear priorities to ensure that the gambling industry remains a driver of economic growth whilst maintaining the highest standards of integrity, responsibility, and inclusivity.”

The Authority, meanwhile, has continued its roll out of new gaming license applications for betting, bingo, and limited payout machines in line with the mandate of diversifying the gaming industry and contributing to the country’s transformational agenda and socio-economic development.