Namibia's Gambling Board not yet fully operational, minister tells parliament

Board awaiting staff recruitment

The Gambling Board of Namibia (GBN) is not yet fully operational, according to Environment, Forestry and Tourism minister Indileni Daniel. Daniel told parliament that the GBN was not fully operational and that staff were still to be recruited.

The minister said the lack of personnel was limiting consumer education and rehabilitation programmes.

Licensing and technical systems in progress

Despite the operational constraints, the GBN has gone to market for a remote, real-time central electronic monitoring system (CEMS) under section 90 of the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act 2018, with the deadline for tenders extended to 5 November. The system is intended to record and report gambling activity and transactions at licensed operations, and the procurement process also includes an automated licensing platform.

The GBN also issued a public notice for a 15 October 2026 consultation workshop for bookmaker and totalisator licence applicants, covering licensing requirements and technical compliance for betting and wagering platforms.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) held workshops in October, with submissions from regional sessions expected to be consolidated in Windhoek before the next stage of the gazetting process.

Proposed reforms and revenue collection

The proposals include an electronic software lottery licence intended to regulate digital and online gaming platforms. Totalisator licence holders are subject to a separate levy of 10% of gross monthly takings.

Daniel told parliament that NAD17 million had been collected to date for the Gambling Trust Fund. The Ministry of Finance’s 2023/24 accountability report listed a NAD5 million target for annual gambling income levies and recorded zero collection against that line.

The Namibia Revenue Agency signed a cooperation agreement with the GBN in March to obtain data on gambling operators and winnings.