Gambling, betting and gaming are legally recognised activities regulated by law in Namibia, however, rising accessibility, especially through mobile betting, has increased and has posed a risk of addiction, especially amongst the youth and unemployed population.”
Tourism minister Indileni Daniel said this in her response to questions raised in Parliament concerning gambling and sports betting in Namibia.
Daniel said that gambling and betting are forms of both entertainment and revenue generation.
She said that in Namibia, gambling and betting present both opportunities and challenges.
“Daniel said that there is a Gaming and Entertainment Control Act, to regulate and this law further gives power to any person to report or register a family member or any person to whom the applicant is economically dependent or has a duty of care and whose behaviour manifests symptoms of addictive or compulsive gambling.
She said that the ministry has operationalized the law and appointed the Gambling Board of Namibia specifically for the purposes of regulating and addressing illegal gambling activities such as unlicensed gambling and sports betting operators in the country.
“The enforcement of this law took effect from 2021, and to date, the Board has attended to over 280 applications from illegal operators. The Board is on a continuous drive to create awareness and ensure compliance.”
Daniel said that sports betting, as well as responsible gambling, are regulated by the provisions of the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act.
Further to this, the Board, supported by the ministry, has embarked on an industry-wide and public education and awareness program since its inception with the aim of increasing the understanding of the new law and all its implications.
“This program is ongoing as the law is still at its infant stage.”
She said the board is also in the process of amending the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act to ensure better compliance.
Daniel said that the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act and its regulation provides complete protection and restriction of minors against gambling..
“The Act further provides for the establishment of a Central Monitoring system and the ministry is currently in the process of acquiring this system, which aims at addressing and curbing irresponsible gambling practices as well as gambling by minors.”
She said the penalty for any person allowing underage sports betting or contravening any provision of the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act is a fine of N$ 20 000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 2 years.
“Online platforms provide for what we call KYC (know your client), where every patron logging in to partake in the gambling platform must upload their selfie photo as well as their ID, which is verified before permission is granted to register as a player.”
Daniel said that operators in the gaming industry in Namibia are required to put up visible posters and issue pamphlets for patrons indicating details such as age restrictions and to inspect and verify any person suspected of being a minor entering their premises.
Daniel added that the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act and Regulations make provision for measures to prevent as well as address gambling addictions.
The Act also compels the Board to allocate funds for the rehabilitation and treatment of addicts.
She said that the ministry is also in the process of developing a National Gaming Policy to provide guidelines and strategic intervention that must be implemented in addressing issues such as illegal gambling, responsible gambling, addiction and rehabilitation.
“Communities are the eyes and ears of any society or a nation and therefore the Act makes provision and gives power to the families and community members to play a role in tackling gambling addiction.”
Communities are also encouraged to report any irresponsible gambling activities by operators and businesses in this sector.
Tourism minister Indileni Daniel said this in her response to questions raised in Parliament concerning gambling and sports betting in Namibia.
Daniel said that gambling and betting are forms of both entertainment and revenue generation.
She said that in Namibia, gambling and betting present both opportunities and challenges.
“Daniel said that there is a Gaming and Entertainment Control Act, to regulate and this law further gives power to any person to report or register a family member or any person to whom the applicant is economically dependent or has a duty of care and whose behaviour manifests symptoms of addictive or compulsive gambling.
She said that the ministry has operationalized the law and appointed the Gambling Board of Namibia specifically for the purposes of regulating and addressing illegal gambling activities such as unlicensed gambling and sports betting operators in the country.
“The enforcement of this law took effect from 2021, and to date, the Board has attended to over 280 applications from illegal operators. The Board is on a continuous drive to create awareness and ensure compliance.”
Daniel said that sports betting, as well as responsible gambling, are regulated by the provisions of the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act.
Further to this, the Board, supported by the ministry, has embarked on an industry-wide and public education and awareness program since its inception with the aim of increasing the understanding of the new law and all its implications.
“This program is ongoing as the law is still at its infant stage.”
She said the board is also in the process of amending the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act to ensure better compliance.
Daniel said that the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act and its regulation provides complete protection and restriction of minors against gambling..
“The Act further provides for the establishment of a Central Monitoring system and the ministry is currently in the process of acquiring this system, which aims at addressing and curbing irresponsible gambling practices as well as gambling by minors.”
She said the penalty for any person allowing underage sports betting or contravening any provision of the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act is a fine of N$ 20 000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 2 years.
“Online platforms provide for what we call KYC (know your client), where every patron logging in to partake in the gambling platform must upload their selfie photo as well as their ID, which is verified before permission is granted to register as a player.”
Daniel said that operators in the gaming industry in Namibia are required to put up visible posters and issue pamphlets for patrons indicating details such as age restrictions and to inspect and verify any person suspected of being a minor entering their premises.
Daniel added that the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act and Regulations make provision for measures to prevent as well as address gambling addictions.
The Act also compels the Board to allocate funds for the rehabilitation and treatment of addicts.
She said that the ministry is also in the process of developing a National Gaming Policy to provide guidelines and strategic intervention that must be implemented in addressing issues such as illegal gambling, responsible gambling, addiction and rehabilitation.
“Communities are the eyes and ears of any society or a nation and therefore the Act makes provision and gives power to the families and community members to play a role in tackling gambling addiction.”
Communities are also encouraged to report any irresponsible gambling activities by operators and businesses in this sector.
