There is a crisis quietly unfolding in Eswatini, one that does not command headlines as loudly as it should, yet seeps into homes, schools and livelihoods with devastating effect. Online gambling, once a peripheral pastime, has evolved into what can only be described as a silent pandemic. Its growth, fuelled by mobile technology and regulatory gaps, is outpacing the nation’s ability to contain its social consequences.
Recent developments in Parliament and statements from the Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Jane Simelane, reveal a troubling reality: While the gambling industry is expanding, the human cost is rising just as rapidly. Government revenue from gambling has increased, reportedly by 17 per cent in a recent period, but this financial gain comes with mounting social distress, including addiction, debt and family breakdowns.
One of the clearest indicators of the crisis is the growing number of emaSwati actively seeking help to escape gambling. Government has previously confirmed that individuals are now enrolling in voluntary self-exclusion programmes, effectively banning themselves from casinos and betting platforms for up to two years. That people must formally request to be barred from participation in a legal industry speaks volumes. It signals not just personal struggle, but systemic failure. Even more concerning is that this problem is no longer confined to adults. Evidence presented in Parliament highlights the alarming rise of underage gambling. Lawmakers have raised concerns that children are accessing betting platforms, both physical and online, often through mobile wallets registered in adults’ names. In response, the Tourism minister has outlined plans to block such loopholes by targeting secondary mobile wallets used by minors, in line with the Gaming Control Act of 2022.
While this is a step in the right direction, it is not enough. The reality is that the digitalisation of gambling has made access almost effortless. A smartphone and a mobile wallet are now all that is required. For a school-going child, the barrier to entry is dangerously low. Media reports and parliamentary debates have also pointed to behavioural consequences among young people, including theft from guardians to fund gambling habits.
This is not merely a moral failing; it is a symptom of addiction, and like any addiction, it thrives in environments where access is easy, oversight is weak and awareness is insufficient. To its credit, government has acknowledged regulatory gaps. The Gaming Control Act of 2022, while foundational, does not fully address the complexities of online gambling. Parliamentarians have even called for a freeze on new gambling licences, warning that continued expansion without robust regulations is exposing citizens, particularly the youth, to harm. This call highlights a critical point: Policy has not kept pace with the industry it seeks to govern.
Equally important is the role of gambling companies. Many operators have launched responsible gambling campaigns, positioning themselves as partners in harm reduction. However, these efforts, while commendable, remain largely superficial in the face of a growing epidemic. Awareness campaigns alone cannot counteract the aggressive marketing, constant accessibility and psychological hooks embedded in modern gambling platforms.
What is needed is a far more aggressive, coordinated national response.
First, interventions must begin in schools. If children are already participating in gambling, then prevention cannot wait until adulthood. Educational campaigns should be embedded into the curriculum, teaching learners about the risks of gambling in the same way they are taught about substance abuse.
This is not alarmist – it is necessary. Second, enforcement must be strengthened. Blocking underage access to mobile wallets is a start, but it must be accompanied by strict penalties for operators who fail to implement robust age-verification systems. The collaboration between government, telecommunications companies and gaming operators must move from intention to action. Third, support systems for addiction must be expanded and normalised.
The existence of self-exclusion programmes is encouraging, but uptake remains low relative to the scale of the problem. More needs to be done to make help accessible, visible and stigma-free. Finally, there must be a shift in how society views gambling. It is often framed as entertainment or a quick path to financial gain. In reality, for many, it is a trap, one that exploits vulnerability and desperation. The warning signs are already here. Members of Parliament (MPs) have described gambling as ‘killing the country’, pointing to citizens who spend entire nights in betting establishments and fall deeper into addiction. This is not hyperbole, it is a reflection of a nation grappling with a problem that has been allowed to grow in silence.
Eswatini stands at a crossroads.
The decisions made now on regulation, education and enforcement will determine whether online gambling remains a controlled industry or evolves into a full-blown social crisis. The time for half-measures has passed. This silent pandemic demands a response that is just as relentless as the problem itself.
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