Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, has issued a stern warning to businesses operating illegal lotteries and promoting such activities. He stated that those found guilty will face a 20-year imprisonment or a fine of N$400 000.
The minister highlighted that many sports betting clubs and lotteries that have emerged across the country are unlawful, as some of them have not registered their businesses.
“We have received numerous complaints about people being cheated. For example, raffles where people pay N$50 to win a Mercedes Benz. At the end of the day, you don’t even see how the drawing is done. Some people conduct lotteries solely to put money in their pockets. You cannot benefit yourself with a lottery,” Shifeta said. However, he added that fundraising activities such as sports bazaars or school bazaars are exempted.
Shifeta made these remarks during a press briefing on the status and progress of the implementation process of the Lotteries Act, 2017 (Act No. 13 of 2017), and the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act, 2018 (Act No. 13 of 2018). These two laws and their respective regulations became operational in December 2021 after undergoing a thorough consultation and review process.
The minister emphasized that all activities related to lotteries are regulated by the Lotteries Act, 2017 (Act No. 13 of 2017). Lotteries activities, as defined by the Act, include “any game, such as a computer game, scheme, arrangement, system, plan, promotional competition, or device for distributing prizes by lot or chance, whether operated manually, mechanically, electronically, or by other means.”
Similarly, the Lottery Act, 2017 aims to provide authorization, supervision, and control of benevolent lotteries and to address any incidental matters.
Shifeta advised the industry, operators, promoters, or individuals conducting business activities that fall within the legal definition of lotteries to apply, notify, and register their schemes, programs, and projects with the board before undertaking such activities or promoting and marketing them.
“The ministry continues to observe illegal or unregistered lotteries being conducted or announced in Namibia without prior authorization or approval from the board. I must also warn individuals or media houses that participate in, promote, or facilitate such illegal activities within their publications/platforms without confirming with the Lottery Board that these activities are legal. They too are liable to be fined. Even the National Broadcasting, I thought they knew this was an illegal activity. I am saying this because I know that I never granted a license for a lotto in this country, never. I never even considered any application,” Pohamba said.
Source: Informanté
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