Study Shows That Botswana Women Are Gambling for Survival
A groundbreaking national study has revealed a startling and largely hidden truth: Botswana women are silently grappling with gambling addiction driven not by thrill, but by survival.
The Prevalence of Excessive and Problem Gambling in Botswana study, commissioned by the Gambling Authority and conducted by the Integrated Research Hub in collaboration with Statistics Botswana, found that 38% of female gamblers self-identified as having a gambling problem, compared to 34% of their male counterparts.
Presenting the findings at the official dissemination on Wednesday, lead researcher Dr. Onkokame Mothobi explained that the gendered motivations behind gambling are deeply rooted in socioeconomic realities. “While men often gamble for leisure and recreation, women tend to gamble as a survival strategy,” said Dr. Mothobi. “Unfortunately, they often do so in secret and only seek help when their situation becomes dire,” he said.
The study, which surveyed gambling patterns and impacts across Botswana, found that 36.6% of Batswana actively engage in gambling, both legally and illegally. Of this group, 57% gamble more than they can afford, with many participating on unregulated and illegal online platforms.
Young adults aged 21–35 were identified as the most vulnerable group, often turning to gambling in a desperate attempt to escape unemployment and financial instability. Economic hardship, low education levels, and lack of income stability were cited as key drivers of excessive gambling. Alarmingly, 36.3% of retirees were also found to be struggling with problem gambling, highlighting that the issue cuts across generations.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Trade and Industry, Tiroeaone Ntsima, emphasized that the findings are more than just statistics; they reflect the harsh and painful realities many Batswana face. “These are the stories of our people, young people drowning in gambling debt, retirees risking their pensions, and women quietly struggling in silence,” said Minister Ntsima. “We must act, and act now,” Ntsima further said.
Ntsima stressed the urgent need for coordinated interventions, warning that gambling should never be mistaken for a solution to poverty. “Gambling is a form of entertainment, not an investment scheme,” he cautioned. The government, he added, is committed to a multi-pronged response including expanded access to counseling, rehabilitation programs, and anonymous helplines. In addition, entrepreneurship programs and financial literacy campaigns are being promoted as sustainable alternatives to gambling as a survival strategy.
The study also calls for tighter regulation and enforcement, particularly around online and illegal gambling, which continues to flourish under limited oversight. Minister Ntsima urged gambling operators to take responsibility for their role in the crisis, calling on them to contribute to social impact funds, train staff to detect high-risk behavior, and promote genuine harm-reduction practices. “Operators must help us build a safer, more sustainable gambling industry—one that identifies and supports those at risk,” he said.
The study concludes with a strong recommendation for robust public education, targeted awareness campaigns, and collaborative action to ensure that gambling in Botswana remains a safe recreational activity, not a trap for the vulnerable.
