The opening of a "casino" at a shopping complex near the station in Gaborone has raised eyebrows. The business, which has attracted police attention, has been operating for more than a month.

Though the establishment has slot machines, the manager, Cecil Somers, insists that he is not running a casino but an entertainment centre. He said the business is located at an appropriate place. The difference between the "entertainment centre" and a casino is that patrons are given material prizes instead of cash, Somers said. He added that every month-end, they issue prizes ranging from television sets, fridges and teddy bears bought from an adjacent shop. Customers who want cash, sell their prizes at the shop.

Meanwhile, an employee of the establishment has revealed that one can win P10,000 in cash at the "casino". Some of the slot machines display the "jackpots" to be won.

When he was told that people were losing money, Sommers said they are not gambling but just "playing". He said the business does not need a casino licence because it is an "entertainment centre". The police have inquired about the registration certificate of the business, which he said is being handled by his lawyers.

The secretary of Casino Control Board, John Matsheng, said they were aware of the business in question, and that it operates without a casino licence. "As far as we are concerned, they don't have a casino licence," he said, adding that they have spoken to the owners of the business.

He said the police and other casino operators have complained about the business.

However, he said, they have not taken action since they are still waiting for advice from the Attorney General. "It is something that we want to address urgently. We are concerned about operations of this business. We want to make sure that we are legally covered before we take any action against the business," he said, and further added that advice from the attorney general was expected this week.