Licenses
The Ministry of Environment and Tourism’s Directorate of Tourism currently administers the Casino and Gambling Houses Act, Act 32 of 1994 (and Regulations). The Act is aimed at regulating gambling conducted with slot machines tables found in gambling houses and casinos respectively.
The Act provides for a Casino Board, which considers and makes recommendations on applications for gambling licenses. The Minister, advised by the Board, makes the final decision. So far a total of 7 Casino licenses and about 260 Gambling House licenses has been approved.
Act 28 of 1996 imposed a moratorium on the issuance of new gambling house licenses, but not on casino licenses. No new gambling house licenses can be considered in terms of the Act.
A New Gaming Bill was drafted, which is due to be presented to the Management Committee before public hearings can be conducted.
Currently existing license holders are required to pay annual license fees and monthly levies, as a source of Revenue for the Government. (Approx. N15, 000,000 per year).
Unfortunately, however, the long process of preparing the New Draft Bill caused an “explosion” of illegal gambling in certain areas. The Drug Law Enforcement Unit of the Police deals with illegal gambling in Namibia.
The following are the various types of licenses, fees and levies:
Transfer and removal fees application N$ 1000.00
Transfer and removal Certificate N$ 2000.00
Levy of 5% total income per machine
· Yearly license fee per number of machine
o 1-5 Machines N$ 250
o 8-10 Machines N$ 500
o 11-20 Machines N$ 1000
Casino Application fees N$ 25 000.00
Application forms for a casino license
Application for the removal of gambling house license
Application for the transfer of gambling house license