Lotteries Board of Namibia

The Lotteries Board of Namibia was legally created by the Lotteries Act of 2002, but it did not become fully operational until after the appointment of a new board in November 2021. This delay followed a comprehensive revision of the original Act through the Lotteries Act of 2017 (Act No. 13 of 2017), which updated the regulatory framework and clarified the board's powers and responsibilities.

Today, the LBN operates from offices at 10 Robert Mugabe Avenue, Heritage Square Building No. 2, Windhoek. Its organisational structure comprises a board of directors (the governing body) and an executive team responsible for day‑to‑day administration. The board members are appointed by the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, under whose portfolio the LBN falls. The current chairperson is Dr. Wycliff Shililifa, having succeeded Michael Mutonga who served as the inaugural chairperson. The chief executive officer is Dr. Johannes Shimaneni (also referred to as Dr. John Shimaneni or Dr. Johnaness Shimaneni), who has been the driving force behind the board's operationalisation and the preparation for the national lottery.

Primary Functions

- Regulation and Licensing: Issuing licences to operators of lotteries and promotional competitions, and ensuring compliance with the Lotteries Act. - National Lottery Promotion and Conduct: Overseeing the design, procurement, and eventual operation of Namibia's first state lottery. - Fund Administration: Managing the National Lottery Trust Fund (which channels proceeds to social causes) and the Social Responsibility Fund. - Enforcement: Investigating and prosecuting illegal lottery activities, and levying fines or penalties as prescribed by the Act. - Consumer Protection: Ensuring that lottery games are conducted fairly, transparently, and in a manner that minimises problem gambling.

In 2025, the LBN signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Botswana Gambling Authority to enhance regional cooperation in gaming governance, covering areas such as information sharing, joint enforcement, and capacity building. The board has also issued tenders for the review of its Integrated Strategic Business Plan for the period 2026/27 to 2031/32, signalling a focus on long‑term planning and resource optimisation.

Namibia's gaming sector is projected to generate approximately N$948 million (US$55.79 million) in revenue by the end of 2025, according to data cited by the National Planning Commission. The LBN's successful launch of a state lottery is expected to further boost this figure while channelling a significant portion of proceeds to social development initiatives. The board has engaged in extensive public outreach to explain its mandate and to build trust among potential players and the broader public.

Despite its progress, the LBN remains in a developmental phase. It currently relies on government funding and has a lean staff structure, with exact headcount figures not publicly disclosed. The CEO has emphasised that the organisation is “in its infancy stage” and that the top priorities are awareness‑raising, digital service delivery, and the appointment of a licensed operator for the national lottery. The board's future success will depend on its ability to maintain regulatory independence, attract private‑sector partners for lottery operations, and integrate robust responsible gambling measures from the outset.