Online bingo is legal in Namibia only when offered by licensed operators under the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act 2018, which came into force in December 2021 (1). The legislation establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework explicitly authorizing online gaming with strict licensing requirements enforced by the Gambling Board of Namibia (2). The law unequivocally states that no online gambling is allowed without a license, and violations including offering unlicensed online bingo result in fines with great sums of money or imprisonment for as long as 10 years.
Licensed online bingo operators in Namibia must obtain approval from the Gambling Board and comply with stringent requirements including central monitoring system integration, responsible gambling safeguards, and restricted player registry maintenance (1). The government minister responsible for gambling provides policy directives to the Gambling Board specifying what online games are permitted, license fees, and how many licenses should be issued (2). Operators must also contribute percentages of their revenue to the Gambling Trust Fund, which finances social welfare programs and public projects across the country.
"The law unequivocally says that no online gambling is allowed without a license. There have been inspections across the country to weed out illegal gambling dens. The Gambling Board of Namibia has processed over 280 applications from previously unlicensed operators since regulatory enforcement began in 2021."
Players in Namibia can legally access online bingo through licensed operators without facing legal consequences, though playing on unlicensed platforms exposes them to significant legal risk and consumer protection gaps (2). The Gambling Board conducts nationwide inspections and shutdowns of unlicensed gambling operations, demonstrating strong enforcement commitment against illegal online bingo providers (1). Until a licensed online bingo operator establishes operations in Namibia, players remain limited to unlicensed offshore platforms or wait for approved operators to enter the market under the comprehensive regulatory framework established in 2021.
Source:
https://www.igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulation-in-namibia/
https://www.vixio.com/insights/gc-namibia-commences-long-awaited-gambling-laws
Last updated: 01-11-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
