FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
GENERAL INFORMATION
What is sports betting?
Sports betting is the activity of placing a wager on the outcome of a sporting event. Bets may be placed before the event starts (“pre-match betting”) or while the event is ongoing (“live betting”).
Is sports betting legal in Botswana?
Yes. Gambling and betting activities in Botswana are regulated by the Botswana Gambling Authority under the Gambling Act, 2012. Only licensed operators are legally permitted to offer betting services.
ACCOUNT REGISTRATION
Who can open a betting account?
Only individuals who:
· Meet the legal age requirement in Botswana
· Successfully complete identity verification (KYC)
· Are physically located in permitted jurisdictions
may open an account.
What documents are required for verification?
Typical KYC documents include:
· National ID or passport
· Proof of address
· Selfie or facial verification
· Proof of payment method ownership
Additional documents may be requested for AML compliance.
Can I have multiple accounts?
No. One person may only operate one account unless explicitly approved by the operator.
Multiple accounts intended to abuse promotions or circumvent limits may be suspended.
DEPOSITS AND WITHDRAWALS
What deposit methods are available?
Typical methods may include:
· Bank transfer
· Debit cards
· Mobile money
· E-wallets
Availability depends on local banking integrations.
Is there a minimum deposit?
Yes. Minimum deposit thresholds vary by payment method and currency.
Are deposits instant?
Most electronic deposits are processed instantly. Bank transfers may require additional processing time.
How long do withdrawals take?
Withdrawal timelines depend on:
· Verification status
· Payment provider
· Compliance reviews
· Banking hours
Typical ranges:
· Mobile money: minutes to hours
· Bank transfers: 1–5 business days
Why is my withdrawal pending?
Possible reasons include:
· Unverified account
· AML review
· Bonus wagering requirements
· Payment provider delays
· Risk investigation
Can the operator request source-of-funds documentation?
Yes. Under AML obligations, the operator may request:
· Payslips
· Bank statements
· Business income proof
· Tax documentation
BETTING MARKETS
What sports are available?
Markets commonly include:
· Football
· Tennis
· Basketball
· Cricket
· Rugby
· MMA/UFC
· Boxing
· eSports
Availability depends on the operator coverage and licensing permissions.
What are pre-match bets?
Pre-match bets are wagers placed before an event begins.
Examples:
· Match winner
· Over/Under goals
· Handicap betting
· Correct score
What is live betting?
Live betting allows wagers during an event while odds continuously change based on live match data.
What is a cash out feature?
Cash out allows bettors to settle a wager before the event concludes.
The offered amount fluctuates according to:
· Match status
· Odds movement
· Market liquidity
· Risk exposure
Cash out availability is not guaranteed.
What is a multi-bet or accumulator?
An accumulator combines multiple selections into one ticket.
All selections must win for the accumulator to succeed.
What happens if one match is void?
Normally:
· The affected selection is removed
· Odds recalculate accordingly
Operator-specific house rules apply.
ODDS AND SETTLEMENT
How are odds calculated?
Odds are generated using (among others):
· Statistical models
· Market trading
· Risk management systems
· Live data feeds
· External market intelligence
What happens if there is a pricing error?
The operator reserves the right to:
· Void obvious errors
· Correct palpable mistakes
· Recalculate incorrectly displayed odds
Examples include:
· Incorrect decimal placement
· Delayed odds updates
· Technical feed failures
What source is used for official settlement?
Settlement may rely on:
· Official league data
· Providers official feeds
· Governing body statistics
· Internal trading decisions
Operator house rules determine the final authority.
What if a match is abandoned?
Settlement depends on:
· Competition rules
· Match duration completed
· Market type
· Official result declaration
Some markets may void while others stand.
What happens if a player does not participate?
Rules vary by market:
· Player props may void
· Team bets may stand
· Ante-post bets may remain active
BONUSES AND PROMOTIONS
What is a welcome bonus?
A welcome bonus is a promotional offer for new customers, usually tied to:
· First deposit
· Minimum stake
· Wagering requirements
What are wagering requirements?
Wagering requirements specify how many times bonus funds must be played before withdrawal eligibility.
Example:
· BWP 100 bonus with 5x rollover
· Total required turnover = BWP 500
Can bonuses expire?
Yes. Bonuses usually have:
· Time limits
· Eligible market restrictions
· Minimum odds conditions
Can the operator remove a bonus?
Yes. Bonuses may be canceled for:
· Fraud
· Multi-accounting
· Arbitrage betting
· Bonus abuse
· Syndicate betting
RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING
Does the operator support responsible gambling?
Yes. Licensed operators are expected to provide responsible gambling tools including:
· Deposit limits
· Loss limits
· Session reminders
· Time-outs
· Self-exclusion
What is self-exclusion?
Self-exclusion allows customers to block account access for a defined period.
During this period:
· Betting is prohibited
· Marketing communications may stop
· Account reactivation restrictions apply
Can gambling become addictive?
Yes. Gambling involves financial risk and may lead to addiction-related harm for vulnerable individuals. Signs include:
· Chasing losses
· Borrowing money to gamble
· Loss of financial control
· Emotional distress
Where can players seek help?
Players may contact:
· Responsible gambling organizations
· Counseling services
· Botswana Gambling Authority support channels
The Botswana Gambling Authority also promotes responsible gaming initiatives.
TECHNICAL QUESTIONS
Why are odds suspended during live betting?
Markets may suspend due to:
· Dangerous attacks
· Penalties
· Red cards
· VAR reviews
· Feed latency
· Integrity alerts
This is standard industry practice.
What happens if there is a technical outage?
The operator may:
· Suspend markets
· Void affected bets
· Delay settlement
· Restrict cash out
Data integrity and fairness take priority.
Why did my live bet get rejected?
Possible reasons:
· Odds changed
· Market suspended
· Stake exceeded limit
· Event status changed
· Technical validation failure
FRAUD, INTEGRITY AND SECURITY
Does the operator monitor suspicious betting?
Yes. Operators using integrity systems may monitor:
· Unusual betting patterns
· Match-fixing indicators
· Syndicate activity
· Automated betting abuse
Can accounts be restricted?
Yes. Operators may:
· Limit stakes
· Suspend accounts
· Close accounts
· Investigate betting patterns
especially where fraud or integrity concerns exist.
Is customer data protected?
Licensed operators are expected to implement:
· Encryption
· Secure payment processing
· KYC compliance
· Data protection controls
LEGAL AND COMPLIANCE
Can winnings be confiscated?
Winnings may be withheld if:
· Fraud is detected
· Terms are breached
· Identity cannot be verified
· Bonus abuse occurs
· AML concerns arise
What law governs disputes?
Disputes are typically governed by:
· Botswana gambling regulations
· Operator terms and conditions
· Licensing obligations
How can a customer file a complaint?
The standard escalation process is:
1. Contact customer support
2. Submit formal complaint
3. Escalate to compliance department
4. Refer unresolved disputes to the regulator where applicable
BETTING EDUCATION
Is sports betting a guaranteed way to make money?
No. Sports betting carries significant financial risk.
Even professional bettors experience face:
· Variance
· Losing streaks
· Market inefficiencies
· Capital risk
Are betting systems guaranteed to work?
No betting system guarantees long-term profit.
Any claim of “guaranteed wins” should be treated cautiously.
FINAL NOTICE
Sports betting should be treated as entertainment, not as a source of guaranteed income. Customers should only wager funds they can afford to lose.
For regulatory information in Botswana:
Botswana Gambling Authority
Copyright Betpula – June 2026
This F.A.Q. is indicative and cannot be substituted as a legal document to the Terms and Conditions.