The mean largest amount of money reportedly spent on casino tables during the last 30 days is P3,546. This figure is more than three times the average largest amount of money spent on casino tables during the last six months from the time of the study.
On the other hand, the average largest spending on slot machines significantly dropped from P1,528 during the last six months to P667 during the last 30 days. The recently released baseline study on the prevalence of excessive and problem gambling in Botswana noted the common pattern amongst all casinos is month-end (from pay dates of the first group to last groups) are the busiest period with peak days recorded from Thursdays to Saturdays. Sundays and Mondays are the quietest with business picking gradually towards Thursdays and weekends.
According to the report, problem gambling prevalence in Botswana is at five percent and it is comparable to the global estimates. Although some of the problem gambling is reported to be taking place in casino sites, the magnitude of problem gambling among individuals who participated in unregulated gambling is not known. “The need to regulate other prevalent gambling activities besides casino tables and slots machines cannot be overemphasized. Once regulated and legal, all such gambling should include extensive and effective responsible play and addiction prevention measures,” the report states. All casino sites reported the presence of problem gamblers.
These were described as those who were addicted to gambling and could not stay away even when they did not have disposable money to spend, those who had lost heavily and felt cheated, and those who just disturbed the peace of other patrons by begging or harassing them. The commonest gambling activities known to be taking place in Botswana by order of popularity include snooker (78.4%), casino (74.3%), game of cards (71%), dice betting game (60.3%), lotteries/raffles (45.3%), coin spinning (43.6%), slug/table football (42.7%), and scratch cards (33%).
