Namibia has appointed a new six-member Gambling Board, with a renewed focus on accountability, innovation, responsible gambling and technology-driven regulatory oversight.
Environment, Forestry and Tourism Minister Indileni Daniel has called on the incoming board to strengthen governance, embrace innovation and ensure that the country’s gambling sector contributes meaningfully to national development.
Key Highlights:
Eliaser Iiyambo has been appointed chairperson of Namibia’s six-member Gambling Board.
Anastasia Siteketa takes up the position of deputy chairperson.
The new board will serve a three-year term, from November 2026 to October 2029.
The regulator is pursuing a Central Electronic Monitoring System (CEMS) to improve real-time oversight of gambling operations.
Plans are also underway to introduce an integrated licensing and digital document-management platform.
The appointments were announced by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism on November 6, 2026, with the Gambling Board and Namibia Wildlife Resorts among the institutions receiving new board members.
Addressing the newly appointed boards in Windhoek, Minister Daniel emphasised the importance of transparency, accountability and innovation in delivering sustainable solutions for the country.
She urged the incoming leadership to take up their responsibilities with urgency, stating: “My expectations of all of you are high and I expect you to hit the ground running.”
The minister also reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting the boards in executing their respective mandates.
New Leadership at the Gambling Board
Eliaser Iiyambo, who previously served as deputy head of the Windhoek City Police, has been appointed chairperson, succeeding retired police commissioner Ben Shikongo.
Iiyambo brings more than 26 years of experience in law enforcement, public safety, criminal justice, law and corporate governance. His professional background includes serving as an investigator within the Namibian Police Force’s Criminal Investigation Division before joining the Windhoek City Police Service in October 2023.
Anastasia Siteketa has been appointed deputy chairperson. The other members of the board are Tudiminapo Shindume, Rachel Mundilo, Penehafo Shindume and Elsie Hindjou.
The six-member board will oversee the regulator’s mandate for the next three years.
Technology at the Centre of Regulatory Reform
Beyond the leadership changes, Namibia’s Gambling Board is pursuing technology projects designed to strengthen regulatory oversight and modernise industry operations.
One of the key initiatives is the proposed Central Electronic Monitoring System (CEMS), which is expected to provide real-time recording and reporting of gambling activities and transactions across licensed operators.
The regulator is also seeking an integrated licensing, workflow and document-management platform. The proposed system aims to streamline licensing procedures through online applications, digital workflows, improved reporting and more efficient compliance monitoring.
Both projects reflect a broader move towards technology-enabled regulation, with the potential to improve transparency, operational efficiency and regulatory accountability across Namibia’s gambling industry.
According to the procurement notices, the submission deadline for both tenders is November 26, 2026.
As the new board begins its three-year mandate, its ability to combine effective governance, technological innovation and responsible industry oversight will be central to the next phase of gambling regulation in Namibia.
