The Gambling Board of Namibia (GBN) is not yet fully operational, as noted by Indileni Daniel, the country’s Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism. Workshops held by the Ministry in October aimed to gather input for gambling reform proposals, with regional submissions being compiled in Windhoek in anticipation of the next phase in the gazetting process.
One of the key proposed amendments includes the introduction of new operator fees designed to enhance oversight through a central electronic monitoring system (CEMS). Reports from NBC regarding the validation workshop in Keetmanshoop indicate that the GBN has initiated a procurement process for a remote, real-time CEMS, as outlined in Section 90 of the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act 2018. This system will be utilized to track and report gambling activities and transactions at licensed establishments, while the procurement process will also encompass an automated licensing platform. The deadlines for submitting tenders for both systems have been pushed to November 5.
Additionally, the GBN has announced a consultation workshop scheduled for October 15, 2026, targeted at applicants for bookmaker and totalisator licenses. This event will cover licensing requirements and address technical compliance for proposed betting and wagering platforms. Another aspect of the proposals includes adjustments to licensing and registration protocols, introducing an electronic software lottery license to regulate online and digital gaming platforms.
Johannes Erastus, the GBN’s Acting Chief Executive, stated that the proposed framework draws from research and benchmarking against international standards. He emphasized the need for Namibian laws to align with global best practices and to involve interaction with international jurisdictions to assist in shaping the local gambling landscape. Ben Shikongo, the GBN chairperson, reinforced this view during the workshop, pointing out the necessity for formal licensing to foster legitimate business operations. He also urged the government to expedite the gazetting of previously high fees.
Under the current regulations established in 2021, license holders for casinos and various gambling establishments must pay a levy of 10% of their net income, defined as gambling revenue minus winnings paid out, excluding income from non-gambling related sales. Totalisator license holders face a separate levy based on 10% of their gross monthly takings.
Daniel has raised concerns regarding the GBN’s ability to fulfill its regulatory duties due to operational limitations, stating in parliament that the GBN is not fully functional and still needs to recruit additional staff. This personnel shortage impacts various areas, including consumer education and the oversight of gambling establishments, online platforms, and the collection of fees, as reported by Namibian Sun. Daniel described effective regulation, particularly of online gambling, as a significant challenge facing Namibia, which mirrors issues encountered globally. She noted that no applications are currently being reviewed for activities that the existing Act prohibits.
In February, Daniel indicated that inadequate oversight was detrimental to the country’s revenue and posed social dangers to its citizens. The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism’s Deputy Executive Director, Seimy Shidute, emphasized that the proposed amendments are essential for keeping pace with global digital innovations and technological advancements.
Government revenue from the gambling sector shows that actual collections fall short of projections. The Ministry of Finance’s report for 2023/24 set a target of NAD5 million for annual gambling income levies, yet it documented no collections in that category. Separately, Daniel reported to parliament that NAD17 million has been gathered for the Gambling Trust Fund.
These proposed reforms also align with increased tax enforcement measures. In March, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Namibia Revenue Agency and the GBN to obtain comprehensive data on gambling operators and their winnings. Revenue Commissioner Sam Shivute highlighted that this data would enable comparisons with existing tax records, ensuring compliance.
Shikongo indicated that the input from regional workshops would be compiled in Windhoek before advancing the proposals. The trajectory for finalizing regulations will depend on the adopted measures, requiring gazetting for regulations, while changes to primary legislation will necessitate parliamentary endorsement. Implementation hinges on the GBN’s ability to address staffing shortages and enhance its capacity to enforce the proposed framework effectively. As it stands, the reforms remain proposals rather than an active regulatory regime, aimed at modernizing oversight but reliant on a regulator yet to be fully operational.
