The Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Jane Mkhonta-Simelane, says government is working with gaming operators and telecommunications companies to block all secondary mobile wallet numbers belonging to people under the age of 18 to prevent access to online gambling platforms.
The minister revealed this yesterday while delivering a ministerial statement on gambling in the House of Assembly, noting that many of these secondary mobile wallets were opened by guardians on behalf of minors.
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Mkhonta-Simelane said the Gaming Control Act of 2022 placed strong emphasis on responsible gambling. She emphasised that safeguarding minors is a priority under both the Gaming Control Act of 2022 and the Children’s Protection and Welfare Act of 2012.
The minister stated that protecting children from harmful activities, including online betting, required a collective effort from government, operators, and parents. She stressed that government remains committed to protecting the public, especially children and vulnerable persons, while maintaining a stable, well-regulated gaming industry.
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She said that to uphold the mandate of responsible gambling, the ministry is proposing mandatory player-protection tools as outlined in the legislation, as well as establishing a rehabilitation fund requiring policy guidelines and adequate financing.
“We will raise awareness on gambling addiction, its warning signs, and the support services available, through public education campaigns,” she said.
The minister added that draft regulations under the Act have been completed and are currently undergoing stakeholder review. Once enacted, the regulations would ensure consistency, transparency, and robust oversight across the sector.
Mkhonta-Simelane noted that while administrative interventions and legal frameworks are essential, the country also needs a comprehensive study of the local gaming industry. She highlighted that different jurisdictions have adopted varying models — South Africa following a free-market approach, while Botswana opted for a tendering system after market research. Eswatini’s strategy, she said, would be informed by comparative analysis.
The minister summarised her statement as covering seven key areas:
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Issuance of online betting licences
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Status of regulations
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Fee schedule
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Protection of minors
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Support for those struggling with addiction
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Need to set a cut-off date for issuing new licences given the country’s small economy
“We are currently using the bookmaker provision for issuing licences. To address concerns raised by the House, we are engaging stakeholders on the various licence categories under the Act and informing them of the measures being taken to legitimise gaming services in the industry,” she said.
Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini questioned the ministerial statement’s admissibility, arguing that since the subject was already before the House through a motion, the statement could be seen as an attempt to circumvent procedure.
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The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Jabulani Mabuza, clarified that the statement did not exempt the minister from responding to the motion, adding that the motion on a similar issue previously on the Notice Paper had since been withdrawn.
Somntongo MP Sandile Nxumalo further argued that the minister was not circumventing procedure as her statement covered multiple issues, but she remained obliged to address the original motion.
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