Online poker is not regulated or licensed in Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland. While land-based gambling activities such as casinos and bookmakers are legal and regulated under the Gaming Act of 2022, online gambling has not received legislative attention (1). The Gaming Board of Eswatini oversees licensing for physical gambling establishments, but no online casino or poker room has been authorized to operate within the country's borders.
The absence of online gambling regulation creates a legal gray area for residents who wish to play poker online. Players in Eswatini currently rely on offshore online gambling sites to access poker games, as domestic operators are not permitted to offer digital gambling services (1). Parliament recently approved a motion to establish a centralized monitoring system for online gambling platforms, highlighting that the Gaming Act of 2022 does not encompass online platforms, leaving a substantial oversight in current legislation (2).
"The ministry issued licenses for bookmakers, not for online wagering. I am stating this because I do not wish for the Minister to include items that are not addressed in the legislation and mislead the House while compiling the report."
The government has acknowledged growing concerns about online gambling, with legislators revealing that more than 380,000 registered online gamblers exist in the country (2). This motion aims to prevent juvenile individuals from participating in gambling activities and provide assistance to those struggling with addiction. Until comprehensive regulations are implemented, online poker remains unregulated, and players accessing offshore platforms do so without local legal protection or oversight.
Source:
https://www.igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulations-in-eswatini-swaziland/
https://igamingafrika.com/eswatini-has-approved-a-motion-to-commence-the-regulation-of-online-gambling-operators/
Last updated: 10-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
