Namibia proposes new gambling fees as sector reforms advance

Namibia's environment, forestry and tourism minister, Indileni Daniel, said the Gambling Board of Namibia (GBN), which would be responsible for carrying out gambling reforms, is not yet fully operational, according to a report. The ministry held workshops in October, and input from the regional sessions is expected to be consolidated in Windhoek before the next stage of the process of publication in the Government Gazette.

The proposed changes would introduce new fees for operators, intended to strengthen oversight through a central electronic monitoring system (CEMS), according to the report. The GBN has already begun a tender for a remote, real-time CEMS. The system is designed to record and report gambling activity and transactions at authorised facilities, and the procurement also includes an automated platform for issuing licences. The deadline for both tenders was extended to 5 November.

The GBN also published a separate public notice for a consultation workshop to be held on 15 October 2026 for applicants for bookmaker and totalisator licences, covering licensing requirements and technical compliance for the betting and wagering platforms envisaged. The proposals include a review of licensing and registration procedures, among them an electronic lottery licence delivered through software, intended to regulate digital and online gambling platforms.

The reforms coincide with stricter enforcement of tax rules, according to the report. Input from the regional workshops will be consolidated in Windhoek before the proposals move to the next stage. The final legislative process will depend on the measures adopted, and the final text will determine how the new fees apply and how they interact with existing taxes.