Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta said the new Gaming and Entertainment Control Act that was implemented on 1 December 2021 has more benefits for both gambling machine owners and their clients.
Shifeta said this while addressing a number of gambling machine owners in the northern regions, who gathered at Oshandira Lodge in Oshakati on Thursday.
“This piece of legislation will not only ensure the strict regulation of gambling activities, but it has new provisions to protect the public who participate in these activities, and the national economy,” he added.
Shifeta said under the new Act, all gambling houses must be registered.
According to him, the new law provides for fairness in the issuing of licences to gambling house operators.
He added that there will be an electronic monitoring system as well as gambling inspectors with powers to arrest people, and to seize assets when procedures are not followed.
“The proposed central electronic monitoring system would “detect and monitor significant events associated with gambling machines or any device associated with gambling machines that are made available for play in Namibia,” the minister stated.
The gambling board will also require that licensed gambling operators who provide products to consumers put in place measures to help people who might develop a gaming addiction.
There are people who take their money to gambling houses, hoping to make more money from their earnings, hence the need to mitigate this.
“The mission is to promote the industry in a more productive and positive light to remove any stigma that exists. We should love one another, and share the cake together. No one should be left out,” Shifeta continued.
Namibia Local Business Association (NALOBA) spokesperson Peter Amadhila said the new gambling law, which requires them to register the machines, will leave many people in debt as gambling machine licence fees are exorbitant.
Amadhila thus proposed that the ministry buys off the gambling machines from the business community, with an option for the latter to rent them from government.
NALOBA also proposed that gambling machines be issued with discs which could be renewed on an annual basis, similar to car licences.