Sports betting in Namibia is classified under the country’s gambling legislation and is subject to strict licensing requirements. All operators must obtain approval from the Directorate of Tourism and Gaming within the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism before offering sports betting services(1).
The primary legislation governing these activities is the Casinos and Gambling Houses Act (Act 32 of 1994), which sets out provisions for licensing, supervision, and control of gambling venues. A moratorium on new physical gambling house licences has been in place since January 1, 1997, pending further legislative reform(1).
"The Gaming Control Division is governed by the Casinos and Gambling Houses Act, (Act 32 of 1994), which makes provision for the licensing, supervision and control of casinos and gambling houses, and the establishment of a Casino Board."
More recently, the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act (Act 13 of 2018) came into force in December 2021, extending the regulatory framework to include electronic and online betting. Operators must register gambling machines and link them to a central monitoring system, with full compliance required by August 31, 2023(2).
Source:
https://www.meft.gov.na/services/casinos-gambling-houses/240/
https://www.meft.gov.na/files/files/IMPLEMENTATION%20OF%20THE%20LOTTERIES%20ACT%20THE%20GAMING%20AND%20ENTERTAINMENT%20ACT.pdf
Last updated: 22-05-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
