The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Namibia, has officially invited operators, community representatives, and all relevant stakeholders to participate in nationwide public consultations regarding proposed amendments to Namibia’s gambling and lotteries regulations.

The gambling sector is expanding rapidly, driven by advances in technology, increasing internet access, and shifting consumer behavior. Consequently, there is a need for regulatory reforms to help maintain a balance between innovation, market growth, and responsible gambling. Namibia’s gambling industry reached approximately N$948 million (€48.38 million) in revenue in 2025. This growth, fueled by both land-based and digital betting, has placed significant pressure on the government to modernize oversight.

Through the introduction of these amendments, Namibia, aims to address illegal gambling by establishing firm regulations to combat unlicensed operators and enhance industry accountability. The reforms also shift the policy focus toward consumer protection by balancing state revenue generation with stronger safeguards for the public. Additionally, they seek to close operational gaps within the current framework. The existing system requires updates to its monitoring mechanisms and compliance controls to better reflect changing market conditions, especially with the rise of online gambling.

The proposed amendments to the regulations under the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act, 2018, introduce more stringent requirements and updated financial structures. Applicants for various licenses, including those for casinos, gambling houses, bars, or shebeens, must now provide more comprehensive documentation, such as detailed floor plans indicating the premises’ dimensions, locations of gambling machines, and liquor-serving areas. They are also required to submit a Certificate of Fitness for the premises and a Certificate of Good Standing from the Inland Revenue, both valid at the time of application.

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Additionally, applicants must provide certified copies of key employee licenses, and in some cases, fingerprints and conduct certificates from the Namibian Police Force for investigation purposes. A significant technical update involves the implementation of a Central Electronic Monitoring System (CEMS), under which license holders linked to this system must pay a 1% maintenance fee and a 5% monitoring fee of their net monthly gambling income. The amendments also introduce a new fee schedule, with application fees such as N$80,000 for a casino license and N$15,000 for a gambling house license, along with specified annual fees like N$100,000 for a casino and N$10,000 for a gambling house. Furthermore, proposed changes to Regulation 10 require testing agents to demonstrate accreditation with the Accreditation Board of Namibia and their ability to conduct necessary calibrations.

Once the consultation period concludes, the Ministry will review all submissions to shape the final regulatory framework that will govern licensing and compliance standards across the Namibian gaming sector. These consultations are scheduled to take place from March 24 to April 9, 2026, covering all 14 regions of the country. This feedback exercise will allow the government to test proposed changes before they are finalized and incorporated into the legal framework.