The Gambling Board of Namibia (GBN) is still in the early stages of becoming fully operational, as noted by Indileni Daniel, the Minister for Environment, Forestry and Tourism. Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) hosted workshops in October to gather public input, with plans to consolidate feedback from regional sessions in Windhoek for the next steps in the regulatory gazetting process.
Among the proposed reforms are new operator fees designed to enhance oversight through a central electronic monitoring system (CEMS). This initiative was detailed in a report by NBC regarding the validation workshop held in Keetmanshoop. The GBN is already in the process of securing a remote, real-time CEMS in accordance with section 90 of the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act of 2018. The intended system will track and report gambling transactions at licensed operations and will include an automated licensing platform. The deadline for tenders related to this initiative has been pushed to November 5.
Additionally, the GBN announced a public notice for a consultation workshop on October 15, 2026, for those applying for bookmaker and totalisator licenses, focusing on licensing requirements and technical compliance for betting platforms. The reform proposals also outline new licensing and registration processes, including an electronic software lottery license tailored for digital and online gaming, as highlighted in an NBC report.
Johannes Erastus, GBN's Acting Chief Executive, stated that the proposed structure stems from comprehensive research and benchmarking to ensure alignment 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, stressed the importance of formal licensing during the Keetmanshoop workshop, arguing, "We don’t just need to always do informal business. We need to be licensed so that we can have a genuine business." He later urged the government to accelerate the gazetting of fees, especially those that were previously deemed excessive.
As per the existing regulations from 2021, holders of licenses for casinos, gambling houses, bars, and shebeens are required to pay a levy of 10% on their net monthly income, defined as gambling income minus winnings paid out, excluding revenue from non-gambling sources. In contrast, totalisator license holders must pay a separate levy of 10% on their gross monthly takings.
However, the reforms hinge on a regulatory framework that is currently hampered by staffing shortages. Minister Daniel reported to parliament that the GBN remains understaffed and has yet to complete recruitment. This shortfall is affecting various aspects of regulation, including consumer education and rehabilitation initiatives. Daniel emphasized that this gap in personnel also limits supervision of gambling establishments and the collection of statutory fees and levies.
“Effective regulation, especially for online gambling, is currently a challenge at the moment, not only in Namibia but globally,” Daniel added. She also indicated that the GBN is unable to process applications for activities prohibited under the existing legislation, emphasizing the significant distinction between online games and betting transactions through communication technologies with bookmakers.
Earlier in the year, Daniel pointed out that insufficient oversight was leading to lost revenue for Namibia, alongside increased risks of gambling-related social issues. Seimy Shidute, deputy executive director of the MEFT, affirmed the necessity of reforms to adapt to global trends such as digital innovation and new technological developments.
Government revenue data highlights what the state collects from the gambling sector, rather than reflecting the overall size of Namibia's gambling industry. The Ministry of Finance's 2023/24 accountability report indicated a target of NAD5 million in annual gambling income levies, yet reported no collections in that category. Separately, Daniel mentioned in parliament that NAD17 million has been gathered for the Gambling Trust Fund.
The upcoming reforms align with increased tax enforcement measures. In March, it was reported that the Namibia Revenue Agency had entered into a cooperation agreement with the GBN to gain access to data regarding gambling operators and winnings. Revenue commissioner Sam Shivute stated, "We are going to receive data on all players in the industry and compare it with our tax records. Where there is non-compliance, we will raise assessments to ensure the correct taxes are paid."
Looking ahead, Shikongo stated that feedback from the regional workshops will be gathered in Windhoek before the proposals progress to the next phase. The future legal path for these measures will depend on whether regulations require gazetting or if any modifications necessitate parliamentary review. The finalization of the legal text will clarify how new fees interact with existing levies, and successful implementation will rely on the GBN filling staffing gaps and enhancing its capacity to uphold the new framework. As it stands, the proposed reforms remain a collection of ideas rather than a fully operational system, intended to modernize oversight but reliant on a regulator that Daniel has confirmed is not yet fully functional.
