Namibia Calls for Fair Bookmaker Licensing
Namibia – The government of Namibia wants fair and transparent bookmaker licensing. It insists the law apply consistently, with no preferential treatment. The message came at the Gambling Board of Namibia’s (GBN) industry workshop in Windhoek. The workshop focused on licensing bookmakers and totalizators.
The GBN held the session at the Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management (NIPAM). It took place on October 15. The workshop covered licensing under the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act, 2018 (Act No. 13 of 2018). It also looked at application investigations. In addition, it covered technical assessments of proposed wagering and betting platforms.
Minister Says Namibia Will Not Gamble With Public Interest
Environment, Forestry and Tourism Minister Indileni Daniel stressed the government’s commitment to the public interest. According to NBC Namibia, she said the government is “not prepared to gamble” with its people’s well-being. She also said the same about the integrity of the economy.
As a result, Daniel called for strict checks on applicants. She wants fair and rigorous assessments. She also wants the law applied consistently to every applicant.
GBN Chairperson Acknowledges Criticism
GBN chairperson Ben Shikongo said the Board works under strict directives. It must regulate gambling and draw on best practices from across the Southern African Development Community (SADC). He also acknowledged criticism from politicians and the public. He said the Board had previously been reluctant in its dealings with industry operators.
AiA Sets Out Its Priorities
The African iGaming Alliance (AiA) also took part. CEO Peter Emolemo Kesitilwe represented the alliance. His presentation was titled “The Future of Betting in Africa: Building a Competitive, Responsible and Sustainable Industry.”
AiA named four priorities for a sustainable regulated betting market. These are clear licensing frameworks, balanced taxation, consumer protection, and collaboration. However, these are the alliance’s own stated priorities. The workshop did not adopt them as decisions.
GBN Balances Opportunity and Risk
Acting GBN CEO Johannes Erastus spoke about the industry’s potential. A well-regulated industry can support investment, employment, innovation, and government revenue. However, he stressed the need for balance. Gambling also creates risks for communities. Strong oversight, consumer protection, integrity, and social responsibility must therefore guide bookmaker licensing and wider regulation.
The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) also addressed taxation. Discussions covered industry standards and fairness as well. They also touched on consumer protection, market integrity, and the responsible use of technology.
No New Licensing Rules Announced
The reports reviewed identified no new licensing rules. The workshop gave applicants and stakeholders a chance to discuss requirements under the 2018 Act.
Separate Public Consultations Covered Proposed Reforms
The October 15 workshop was separate from another process. Namibia held six public consultations from October 5 to 14. They covered proposed gambling and lottery reforms. The proposals include registering gambling employees who handle money, amid money-laundering concerns. They also include restricting underage online gambling.
In addition, the proposals include two fees to support the Central Electronic Monitoring System (CEMS). One is a 5% monitoring fee on operators’ net monthly income. The other is a 1% maintenance fee on gross income. These measures remain proposals. The licensing workshop did not confirm them.
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