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Eswatini’s gambling operators are stepping into a new regulatory landscape, as they are now required to register clients using national identity (ID) documents. This mandate, issued by the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, aims to combat underage gambling and promote responsible gaming practices throughout the nation.
The Gaming Board is currently consulting with operators that have the technology to support this new system. It will supervise all gaming activities, with a focus on preventing underage gambling, managing levies, and addressing issues related to addiction and money laundering.
“The ministry takes this opportunity to urge all emaSwati to take precautions to protect their children from harm, starting within the home. It is not everything that can or should be monitored by government, hence the need for all citizens to bear their responsibilities – it is the right thing to do,” the ministry stated, according to Times of Eswatini.
Officials also pointed out the challenge of mobile numbers being registered under older family members but used by younger children. In response, parents are being urged to actively supervise their children’s use of devices to help prevent unauthorized access to gambling platforms.
Schoolchildren’s gambling cases continue to rise
The issue of schoolchildren engaging in gambling is becoming increasingly alarming, as highlighted by Gilgal Member of Parliament Sifiso Gadlela during a recent debate on the ministry’s second-quarter performance report.
Gadlela expressed concern that children, who often rely on mobile devices for their studies, might be lured into gambling rather than focusing on their education. This warning was part of the ministry’s formal submissions during the debate.
In response to these growing concerns, Eswatini is taking significant steps to regulate gambling and address the issue of underage participation, particularly in the online space. Last month, the House of Assembly passed a motion to create a centralized system for monitoring online gambling operators.
This move aims to fill the gaps left by the 2022 Gaming Act, which primarily focused on land-based casinos and did not adequately regulate online platforms. The new motion mandates that online operators implement age and identity verification measures, adding essential protections for minors.
Introduced by MP Charles Ndlovu, the motion urges Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Simelane to develop a framework to prevent underage access to gambling and to support those dealing with gambling addiction. Parliament has also called for a timeline for these measures to ensure they are implemented promptly.
Source: Focus Gaming News
