The Government of Botswana generates considerable revenue through its land-based casino resort industry, which is well-regulated and licensed although the government feels that it ought to create better gambling laws. Gambling enthusiasts can wager on slots and table games at these land-based casino resorts, which basically target foreign tourists.
Legality
The Government of Botswana made an attempt in 2002 to stop the excessive mushrooming of land-based casino resorts in the country and to establish a national lottery. The attempt, however, was not fruitful and Botswana still does not have a national lottery. But there are several licensed and regulated land-based resort casinos where players can bet on their favorite casino games in a safe and secure environment.
The casino gaming laws in Botswana are not that effective, as the government realized after making a thorough study of its gambling laws in 2003. But the government has made no attempt to create better casino laws so far.
Playing at land casino resorts in Botswana is safe because the country gives top priority to issues such as prevention of underage gambling and problem gambler. A gambler needs to be above 18 years of age before he/she can place a bet in Botswana. Besides, Botswana, along with a number of countries such as Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, and others, belongs to the Gaming Regulators African Forum.
Featured Botswana Land Casinos
Land Based Casino Resorts
Botswana has around 10 land casino resorts, which operate with government licensing and approval. According to the Casino Control Board, these casinos generated revenue of around $18.76 million in 2004 alone. Here is a brief overview of some of these land-based casino resorts.
Sediment and Cresta Tapama Hotel
Sediment and Cresta Tapama Hotel is located in Francistown in Botswana. This casino offers over 80 slot and video poker machines and over 10 table and card games, the most popular games being Blackjack, Roulette, and Poker. The facility includes a couple of restaurants and a hotel with more than 90 rooms.
Gaborone Sun Hotel and Casino
The Gaborone Sun Hotel and Casino, which is located at Gaborone in Botswana, offers slot machine gambling for 24 hours per day although the table and card games are available only for limited hours. Other facilities include a private gambling zone, a hotel with over 190 rooms, and 3 restaurants.
Grand Palm Hotel Casino Convention Resort
Grand Palm Hotel Casino Convention Resort, located in Gaborone West in Botswana, is also available for 24 hours per day. The most popular games at this land-based casino resort are American Roulette, Casino Hold’em, Blackjack, and Poker. Although the slots are available all day, table games are run during limited hours only.
Some of the other casinos are Lesatsi Casino at Palapye, King’s Casino in Lobatse, Menateng Casino and Cresta Bosele Hotel in Selebi Phikwe, and Syringa Casino in Selebi Phikwe.