The Gambling Board of Namibia (GBN) faces challenges with its operational readiness, as highlighted by Indileni Daniel, the country’s Environment, Forestry and Tourism minister. Daniel noted that the GBN is not yet fully functional, complicating the implementation of proposed gambling reforms.
In workshops held throughout October by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), submissions from various regions will be consolidated in Windhoek to advance the gazetting process.
Among the noteworthy proposals are new operator fees designed to enhance regulatory oversight through a central electronic monitoring system (CEMS). According to reports from the recent validation workshop in Keetmanshoop, the GBN is currently seeking a real-time CEMS under section 90 of the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act 2018. This system aims to document and report gambling transactions and activities at licensed operations while also incorporating an automated licensing platform. The closing date for proposals has now been extended to November 5.
Additionally, the GBN has announced plans for a consultation workshop scheduled for October 15, 2026, intended for applicants seeking bookmaker and totalisator licenses to discuss licensing requirements and technical compliance for betting and wagering platforms. The proposed reforms also include revised licensing and registration frameworks, such as an electronic software lottery license aimed at regulating digital and online gaming platforms.
GBN’s Acting Chief Executive Johannes Erastus stated that the proposed structural changes are based on research and benchmarking, emphasizing the need to align with international best practices. “Our laws, specifically the Act, require the boards to align with international best practices and to engage with regional and international colleagues and jurisdictions to inform and assist us in shaping the Namibian gambling space,” Erastus remarked.
Ben Shikongo, the GBN chairperson, underscored the importance of formal licensing to foster legitimate business practices in the gambling industry and urged the government to expedite the gazetting of fees, especially those previously considered high.
As it currently stands, the 2021 regulations stipulate that holders of casino, gambling house, bar gambling, and shebeen gambling licenses pay a levy of 10% of their net monthly income, defined as gambling income after subtracting winnings paid out. For totalisator license holders, a separate levy of 10% applies to gross monthly takings.
However, Daniel expressed concern over the GBN's functionality amid staffing shortages that hinder regulatory effectiveness. The lack of personnel has limited consumer education, rehabilitation programs, and oversight of gambling houses and online platforms, which has also impaired the collection of fees and levies. “Effective regulation, especially for online gambling, is currently a challenge, not only in Namibia but globally,” Daniel noted. She stated that the GBN is not currently reviewing applications for activities prohibited under existing law, differentiating between online gaming and bets placed through communication technologies with bookmakers.
In a previous statement, Daniel pointed out that inadequate oversight is costing Namibia significant revenue and posing social risks related to gambling. MEFT’s deputy executive director, Seimy Shidute, insisted that the proposed amendments are vital for adapting to global shifts in digital innovation and technology.
Government revenue reports reflect the current financial state of the gambling sector, showing a target of NAD5 million in annual income levies with no collections reported against that target. Daniel revealed that NAD17 million has been accumulated for the Gambling Trust Fund thus far.
The proposed reforms also align with enhanced tax enforcement efforts. Reports indicated that the Namibia Revenue Agency has entered a cooperation agreement with the GBN to share data on operators and winnings, aimed at ensuring compliance with tax regulations.
Going forward, Shikongo outlined that the feedback from regional workshops will be consolidated in Windhoek, allowing the proposals to progress. The pathway to implementation will depend on the nature of the adopted measures—regulations will require gazetting while amendments to primary legislation will need parliamentary approval. Ultimately, the execution of these reforms hinges on the GBN's ability to fill staffing gaps and adequately support the new regulatory framework, as the current proposals remain in a conceptual phase rather than a fully operational system.
