Botswana - Renewal of a Bookmaker License

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Procedure

The application to renew a Bookmaker License shall be submitted to the Gambling Authority office, at least thirty (30) working days prior to the date of expiration of the current license. Gambling Authority Office Location & Contact Details

Apply Online

1. Applicants should visit the Gambling Authority website and click on “Online Application” under the “Resources” option.
2. This will navigate the applicant to the FORM 25: Application for Renewal of Bookmaker’s Licence, complete all mandatory sections of the application form, upload the supporting documents as listed on the site, then click on the “Submit” tab.
3. The application will only be registered to be processed when payment of the renewal fee of BWP 5,000.00, has been made. The payment will be strictly by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
4. The application will be processed as per the information and documentation provided, that is why applicants are advised to provide sufficient information to enable the Gambling Authority licensing board to evaluate the business/company and make its decision.
5. The Authority shall respond within seven (07) working days after receipt of the application for acknowledgment of receipt, including steps of action, this will run concurrently with in-camera interviews, invitations for objections as well as scheduled public hearings (where applicable).
6. The Gambling Authority licensing board may request additional information relevant to the application for the purpose of ascertaining compliance by the applicant with all applicable laws and regulations. In such a case, the information must be submitted within the stipulated time from the date of notification. Where the applicant fails to submit the required information, the licensing board shall reject the application.
7. After successful processing of the submitted documents, when all regulatory requirements for approval of the renewed license are satisfactorily met, the Authority shall within seven (7) days after the decision to grant a license, notify the applicant in writing.
8. Where the Authority has refused to grant a license to an applicant, the Authority shall notify the applicant, in writing, within seven days of the decision and shall furnish the applicant with reasons for the refusal.
9. Proceed to the Gambling Authority, registration, and license office and present the approval letter and identity document and proof of payment of the annual license fee to be validated by the licensing office, applicant will be required to surrender their expired license before being issued with the renewed license.

Appeal to the Minister

• Any person who is aggrieved by a decision of the Authority's refusal to issue the license may appeal to the Minister within 30 days of that decision.

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Required Documents

• Certified copy of the certificate of incorporation or certificate of registration (if the Applicant is a company)
• Certified copies of share certificates (if the Applicant is a company)
• Proof of directorship (certified copies)(if the Applicant is a company)
• Title deed, lease, or sublease agreement of premises to be utilized for the gambling establishment (certified copy)
• Copies of audited financial statements of the Applicant
• Certified copy of tax clearance certificate of the Applicant
• Proof of payment of the renewal license fee.
• Valid identity document (passport for non-citizens/Identity card for citizens)
• Original Bookmaker license to be renewed.

Note: The Gambling Authority office reserve the right to request additional supporting documentation.

Office Locations & Contacts

Botswana Gambling Authority
Physical Address Plot 70667, Fairs
cape Precinct
Building 3
Postal address Private Bag BR 161
Broadhurst, Gaborone.
Telephone: (+267) 3957672
Email: [email protected]
Gambling Authority Office Location & Contact Details
Gambling Authority website

Eligibility

• The applicant should be in possession of a valid/ expired Bookmaker License.

Fees

Bookmakers prescribed fees:

• Application fee BWP 5,000.00.
• Annual license fee BWP 5,000.00.
• Renewal license fee- BWP 5,000.00.
• License Transfer fee- BWP 1,000.00.
• Duplicate fee -BWP 1,000.00.

Bank Account Details for Gambling Authority Account Name: Gambling Authority
Account Number: 62442510930
Bank: First National Bank Botswana
Branch Code: 281467
Branch: First Place
Swift Code: FIRNBWGX

NOTES:

• The fee schedule is subjected to change by the gambling Authority
• The payment will be strictly by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

Validity

• The validity of the license is ten (10) years from the date of issue unless suspended, cancelled, or revoked by the authority. However, the license is subject to an annual fee.
• The application to renew the bookmaker license shall be submitted to the Gambling Authority, Registration & Licensing unit for consideration at least thirty (30) working days prior to the date of expiration of the current license.

Documents to Use

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Sample Documents

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Processing Time

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Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

Please provide other instructions related to the certificate/documents.
e.g. The state office holds birth records since January 1908.

Required Information

• Name of applicant
• Trading name of Applicant
• Physical/ Postal Address
• Contact details (Telephone/email/fax)
• Details of license being renewed:(License Number/ Date of Issue/ Expired date/ Place of issue)
• Details of any changes to the operations of the business of the Applicant during the subsistence of the license, i.e. change in employees, shareholders, directors, e.t.c. (If applicable)
• Declaration by the applicant

Need for the Document

• A person shall not carry on the business of a bookmaker without a valid bookmaker’s license issued by the Gambling Authority.
• A bookmaker’s license authorizes the holder of the license to fix bets on sporting events, on the licensed premises concerned.

Information which might help

The Authority Licensing Board shall approve the applicant to be registered as a bookmaker and approve to grant the bookmakers license, where it is satisfied that-

• Satisfies the Authority that he or she will be the occupier of the whole of the premises from which the gambling establishment will be operated, with such security of tenure as the Authority may consider adequate and that he or she intends to manage or procure the management of the operation of the whole of the facilities of the said establishment.
• Satisfies the Authority that he or she is a person of integrity or, in the case of a company, that it is directed by persons of integrity.
• Satisfies the Authority that he or she has the knowledge and experience necessary to establish and operate the relevant gambling establishment which is the subject matter of the application.
• Satisfies the Authority that he or she has adequate financial means available to establish and operate the gambling establishment to a high standard.
• Satisfies the Authority by plans and specifications submitted to it, that the gambling establishment will be of a high standard of amenity, appearance, and comfort.
• Undertakes, if the said plans and specifications are approved by the Authority, to commence, carry on and complete within 15 months or such longer period as the Authority may, in its discretion determine, any works necessary to bring the establishment into operation.
• In the case of a casino, gives a guarantee or deposits with the Authority, such security as the Authority may consider adequate for the meeting of any obligations which he or she may incur to person gambling in the establishment, and
• Being a body corporate is a company or external company within the meaning of the Companies Act.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses for obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

Botswana Gambling Act
Gambling Authority Regulations

Others

More information which might help people.