Namibia's licensed casinos call for action against illegal gambling houses

Licensed gambling houses and casinos in Namibia, which claim to have invested over N$80 million in the industry, are urging the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism to take stronger action against illegal gambling establishments.  According to Namibian Sun, they argue that the lack of enforcement has severely impacted their income, making it increasingly difficult for them to operate.

The Gambling House Association of Namibia (GHAN) has reported significant financial losses among its 71 licensed members over the past six years, primarily due to the proliferation of unregulated gambling houses. In September 2022, GHAN, represented by attorney Shaun Ellis, filed an application with the Windhoek High Court seeking relief from these challenges.

The case, which was originally set for a ruling in November 2024, is now scheduled to be heard by Judge Nate Ndauendapo at the end of January 2025. It contests regulatory amendments made under the 2018 Gaming and Entertainment Control Act (GECA).

A contentious aspect of the law is the requirement for licensed establishments to pay annual fees. GHAN is seeking an exemption from these fees until all illegal gambling houses in Namibia are either legalized or shut down. According to court documents, recent amendments have established an annual licensing fee of N$10,000 per gambling machine for licensed operators. In contrast, illegal gambling houses do not incur any fees or taxes.

Environment Minister Pohamba Shifeta has stated that these fees are essential for supporting industry regulation and clarified that the Gambling Board of Namibia is responsible for overseeing the industry rather than his office. He emphasized, "My role as minister is limited to setting fees, not granting operators exemptions from them."