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In recent days, bettors in Botswana have taken to social media to voice their frustrations with Betway, a licensed betting platform, citing problems with placing bets and making withdrawals.
Many players shared screenshots showing a message on Betway’s site stating, “We’ll be right back,” which indicated possible maintenance or technical difficulties.
In response to these growing concerns, the Botswana Gambling Authority issued a statement on October 1, 2025. They acknowledged the issues raised by players and confirmed that they are “engaging with all parties involved to ensure the issues are resolved in a fair and transparent manner.”
The announcement continued: “To strengthen this process, the Authority has engaged independent external experts to assist in identifying the root causes of the challenges and to recommend corrective measures. This step reflects our commitment to accountability, integrity and upholding the highest regulatory standards.
“We assure all stakeholders, including licensees, partners and most importantly, players, that their interests remain protected. Safeguarding the wellbeing of players and ensuring responsible gambling practices remain at the core of our mandate. The Gambling Authority remains committed to building a safe, fair, transparent and sustainable gambling industry for the benefit of all citizens of Botswana.”
A recurring theme
Players have expressed disappointment with the BGA for not specifically mentioning Betway in their recent statement, despite the platform being at the center of the current issues. Many believe this omission hints at a protective stance towards the international betting giant, raising concerns about transparency.
Since the launch of Botswana’s regulated betting market in March 2025, technical problems like these have repeatedly surfaced. For example, in April, multiple sites experienced a blackout that left users unable to access their accounts, sparking outrage among bettors.
At that time, many voiced their anger at both the platforms and the gambling authority, accusing them of unfair practices. With ongoing technical difficulties and a perception of regulatory inaction, there’s a real risk that bettors might lose faith in licensed operators. This could drive them toward offshore betting sites, leading to decreased tax revenue and increased problem gambling.
Source: Focus Gaming News
