Supervisor loses employer’s E10,000 on Aviator
By Delisa Magagula
A supervisor at Matsamo Total Filling Station, Luyanda Ngwenya (24) of Nkambeni, is facing theft charges after he allegedly used E10,000 belonging to his employer to gamble online.
Ngwenya was arrested on August 10 and appeared before Magistrate Nkosingiphile Maseko at the Pigg’s Peak Magistrate Court.
He pleaded guilty to the charges. The trial was postponed and he was remanded out of custody pending further proceedings.
The money was allegedly used on Aviator, a popular online crash-style game that has gained traction in Eswatini.
Aviator, developed by gaming company Spribe, is available on betting platforms such as Mulasport, 8Bet, and 1xBet.
In Aviator, a player places a bet and watches a plane ascend on screen. A multiplier increases as the plane rises, and the player must cash out before the plane flies away.
If the player fails to cash out in time, the bet is lost. The game allows minimum bets as low as E0.10 and maximum wins that can reach several thousand dollars, depending on the multiplier.
Gambling in Eswatini has long been present in cultural and recreational life. Formal gambling was regulated through the Casino Act and Lotteries Act of 1963, which provided for the licensing of casinos and betting activities.
One of the most notable establishments that emerged under this framework is the Royal Swazi Spa Casino, located in the Ezulwini Valley. It has historically been a key attraction for tourists and locals.
The industry has since expanded to include modern online betting platforms. Recent reports indicate that participation in gambling has been on the rise, with online platforms such as Mulasport and 8Bet making betting accessible on mobile phones.
A 2024 industry review highlighted that almost a quarter of Eswatini’s adult population now engages in some form of gambling. Annual gaming revenues are said to be generating millions of emalangeni for operators.
The Government of Eswatini has been strengthening its approach to gambling regulation. The Gaming Control Act of 2024 was introduced to regulate both physical and online gambling activities.
Authorities have issued warnings against illegal slot machines placed in public spaces such as shops and bars, stressing that only licensed operators are permitted.
The Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs has also emphasized the importance of protecting minors and vulnerable people from unregulated gambling.
Ngwenya’s case at the Pigg’s Peak Magistrate Court continues to draw attention because of the amount of money involved and the use of an online betting platform. He remains out of custody until the resumption of the trial.