As gambling continues to expand across Eswatini, government has reported a significant uptick in revenue from the industry.
However, while the coffers are growing, there is mounting concern over the social costs of this rise, with an increasing number of gamblers being banned from casinos in a bid to curb problem gambling.
In the second quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, the ministry of tourism and environmental affairs reported a 17% increase in gaming revenue compared to the same period last year. A total of E7.5 million in levies was collected from licensed gaming operations between July and August, up from E6.48 million in the same period in 2024. While this surge signals a booming sector, it also highlights a growing concern over the risks of gambling addiction and its impact on vulnerable citizens.
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Government’s efforts to promote responsible gambling have included assisting 11 individuals in the second quarter of 2025/26 with voluntary self-exclusions from casinos for periods ranging from 12 months to two years. This is a slight decrease from the 16 individuals who sought exclusion during the same period in 2024/25.
Minister Jane Mkhonta-Simelane emphasised the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for gamblers, stressing that the aim of the self-exclusion programme was not only to limit access to casinos, but also to offer counselling and help individuals recover from gambling-related issues.
“We are not just limiting access to gambling venues; we are offering a structured support system to help individuals rebuild their lives and make healthier choices,” Minister Mkhonta-Simelane told Parliament in a previous session.
“This is part of our ongoing commitment to safeguard the welfare of our citizens and reduce the negative effects of gambling addiction.”
Despite these efforts, the debate surrounding the growth of the gaming sector continues to intensify. Some lawmakers, such as Ngudzeni Member of Parliament (MP) Charles Ndlovu, have expressed concerns about the increasing participation of minors in gambling activities.
Ndlovu voiced his frustration over what he described as a lack of sufficient action to address this issue.
He highlighted a motion he presented to Parliament on September 17, calling for the introduction of a centralized monitoring system to regulate online gambling platforms and prevent underage participation.
“We gave the minister two months to return with a comprehensive plan for addressing underage gambling, but those two months have already elapsed,” Ndlovu said. “In the meantime, we are seeing an alarming trend of minors becoming involved in online gambling. This is something that we cannot ignore.”
Ndlovu also called for stricter advertising regulations, suggesting that gambling operators should be required to issue public warnings about the dangers of excessive gambling, much like the mandatory warnings seen on alcohol and tobacco advertisements. He emphasised that these warnings should be prominently displayed on billboards and other public platforms, ensuring that the public remains aware of the potential harm caused by gambling addiction.
At present, there are no regulations governing online gambling platforms the coutry, and operators continue to operate in a largely unregulated environment. While land-based casinos and lotteries are licensed under the Gaming Act 2022, the growth of online gambling has outpaced regulatory efforts, leaving many concerned about the unchecked risks associated with these platforms.
Local economist Sanele Sibiya raised alarm before about the possible long-term social and economic impact of gambling’s growing popularity.
Sibiya acknowledged that the gaming industry could create jobs and contribute to the economy, but he cautioned that an unchecked expansion of gambling could lead to deeper societal problems.
“If gambling becomes normalised in society, it can have lasting negative effects. It can change the way people think and behave, particularly among the youth who may begin to see gambling as a way out of economic hardships,” Sibiya warned. “Once the culture of gambling takes root, it can lead to significant social, moral and financial consequences that will affect generations to come.”
Sibiya’s concerns were also echoed by the Ngudzeni MP, who noted that many parents were increasingly worried about their children’s participation in online gambling. Reports of minors using stolen money to gamble on websites have raised alarms about the lack of age verification and regulation within the industry.
These incidents underscore the need for stronger safeguards to protect vulnerable groups, particularly the youth, from falling prey to gambling addiction.
In addition to the concerns about underage gambling, there is growing recognition by lawmakers that gambling addiction is not just a personal issue but a broader social problem that needs collective action. While government’s responsible gambling programme has made strides in offering support to individuals struggling with addiction, there a need for more proactive measures to prevent the issue from spiralling out of control.
The case reported early last week by this publication about a Mobile Money employee allegedly stealing E40 000 and using some to gamble on an online gambling platform illustrates the darker side of the gambling boom.
The number of registered online gamblers in Eswatini continues to rise, as it is estimated at around 380 000.
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