Namibia advances gambling oversight digitalisation with US$1.4m investment
Government strengthens regulatory systems as sector posts N$49.5m revenue and expands licensing, policy reform and long-term planning framework.
Namibia.- Namibia will invest N$26.8m (US$1.4m) this year to digitise gambling oversight systems, in a move designed to strengthen data collection, revenue management and regulatory monitoring across the gaming and tourism sectors.
Official figures show that the Gambling Board generated N$49,507,347 (US$2.6m) in 2025, underscoring the size of the regulated gambling market as the government moves to modernise sector oversight.
Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Indileni Daniel said, “The programme will digitalise the tourism and gaming sectors to improve data collection, revenue collection and regulatory oversight,” according to The Brief Namibia.
The Gambling Board has issued 134 licences since its establishment, reflecting the expansion of regulated gaming activity in the country. Government is also advancing broader policy reforms, including a Tourism Bill and a National Gaming Policy and Regulations to strengthen governance and regulatory control in the sector.
Lottery, tourism expansion plans
Looking ahead, a planned State Lottery is expected to contribute close to N$100m (US$5.3m) to the Social Development Trust Fund within its first year of operation, according to government projections. Daniel said: “Once the State Lottery is established, it is expected to contribute close to N$100m to the Social Development Trust Fund within the first year of operations.”
The Ministry has finalised the National Tourism Spatial Development Masterplan for 2025 to 2035, with implementation scheduled to begin in the 2026/27 financial year. The plan will guide investment and support regional tourism development, including feasibility studies for cultural and eco-tourism village projects.
Daniel said: “The implementation of the masterplan will guide investment and position Namibia as a competitive and sustainable tourism destination.”
