The transitional period for applications to operate gambling machines and activities was extended for the final time from March to 31 August, and is soon coming to an end.

Tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta said this with regards to the implementation of the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act. The law and its respective regulations were operationalised in December 2021 after having undergone rigorous consultation and a review process.

The Act regulates all activities related to gambling.

“The extension period will allow the Gambling Board to present recommendations pertaining to the law to the minister, who, in turn, is consulting and seeking concurrence with the finance and justice ministries on the proposed regulatory amendments such as fees, online betting and more,” Shifeta said.

He added that the extended period allows operators and companies to seek approval of their gambling activities before the deadline.

“The ministry therefore invites all current operators conducting any type of the gaming and entertainment activities to proceed and hurry with their applications to operate in order to ensure that their business undertakings are legalised or approved by the board and in law before or by the end of the transitional period.”

Gambling houses

Shifeta said gambling houses that operated prior to the Act coming into effect are encouraged to formalise their operations by applying to the board for approval or reclassification in terms of the new categories. The board will consider their continued operation to avoid a vacuum, he added.

Gambling houses operating without the authorisation of the board will be fined as per the Act.

Shifeta explained that the Act defines gambling as a game or the casting of a lot in which luck is an element and by which a prize may be won, whether or not an element of knowledge or skill is included in the process of determining the winner.

The aims and objectives of the Act are, therefore, to regulate gambling and gambling activities in Namibia, to protect the gambler and society, and to ensure revenue generation and collection to the state, he said.

According to Shifeta, the ministry and the Gambling Board will continue to exercise their oversight functions over the industry to ensure that the gaming and entertainment industry is managed and supervised responsibly within the existing laws and regulations.

They will further ensure that the industry is kept crime-free, safe and transparent to protect players, the public, licence holders and vulnerable communities – such as children and vulnerable adults – from exploitation.