National Lottery ‘soon to be a reality’

ALTHOUGH gambling is still frowned upon by some people, it seems to be here to stay, Environment and Tourism Minister Willem Konjore said yesterday.

Konjore said efforts to stem the growth of gambling had been only partly successful, adding that even church groups were now using forms of gambling such as raffles to raise funds. “Indeed, gambling has expanded into many forms and society in general has become tolerant of this activity.Now people even gamble through cellular phones or via the Internet, for example, and take part in gambling based overseas,” said Konjore.He made these remarks when he officially inaugurated the Lotteries Board of Namibia in Windhoek yesterday.The Lotteries Board was created through the Lotteries Act of 2002.Konjore said while the success of Government’s efforts to contain the negative socio-economic impact of gambling was open to debate, its contribution to State revenue from levies and taxes at least made a positive contribution to Government’s social development programmes.The first of these measures, Konjore said, was the introduction of the Casino and Gambling Houses Act of 1994, which regulates casinos offering gambling such as slot machines and table games.But later, Government felt that some mechanism should be created through which funds could be raised to benefit certain parts of the country and to assist with the upliftment of the Namibian people.”It was foreseen that a National Lottery should be established and that other benevolent lotteries for welfare societies or similar organisations will be allowed.No lottery for private commercial gain would be allowed, however,” said Konjore.The Lotteries Board will supervise and control the National Lottery and administer the National Lottery Trust Fund and the Social Upliftment Fund.The Board will also advise the Minister of Environment and Tourism on any matter relating to the National Lottery and other lotteries.The Lotteries Board consists of Nedbank Managing Director Martin Shipanga (chairman), Fenata Chief Executive Officer Jacky Asheeke, Batseba Katjiuongua (Director in the Ministry of Health), H.N Kaukungua (Director in the Ministry of Health), lawyer Basil Bloch, lawyer Hilma Hitula, businesswoman Anne Gebhardt, Toby Aupindi (General Manager, Wilderness Safaris Namibia), Simon Muinjo of the Ministry of Environment and Chris Jansen, who is the Deputy Director for Gambling and Casinos in the same Ministry.”Indeed, gambling has expanded into many forms and society in general has become tolerant of this activity.Now people even gamble through cellular phones or via the Internet, for example, and take part in gambling based overseas,” said Konjore.He made these remarks when he officially inaugurated the Lotteries Board of Namibia in Windhoek yesterday.The Lotteries Board was created through the Lotteries Act of 2002.Konjore said while the success of Government’s efforts to contain the negative socio-economic impact of gambling was open to debate, its contribution to State revenue from levies and taxes at least made a positive contribution to Government’s social development programmes.The first of these measures, Konjore said, was the introduction of the Casino and Gambling Houses Act of 1994, which regulates casinos offering gambling such as slot machines and table games.But later, Government felt that some mechanism should be created through which funds could be raised to benefit certain parts of the country and to assist with the upliftment of the Namibian people.”It was foreseen that a National Lottery should be established and that other benevolent lotteries for welfare societies or similar organisations will be allowed.No lottery for private commercial gain would be allowed, however,” said Konjore.The Lotteries Board will supervise and control the National Lottery and administer the National Lottery Trust Fund and the Social Upliftment Fund.The Board will also advise the Minister of Environment and Tourism on any matter relating to the National Lottery and other lotteries.The Lotteries Board consists of Nedbank Managing Director Martin Shipanga (chairman), Fenata Chief Executive Officer Jacky Asheeke, Batseba Katjiuongua (Director in the Ministry of Health), H.N Kaukungua (Director in the Ministry of Health), lawyer Basil Bloch, lawyer Hilma Hitula, businesswoman Anne Gebhardt, Toby Aupindi (General Manager, Wilderness Safaris Namibia), Simon Muinjo of the Ministry of Environment and Chris Jansen, who is the Deputy Director for Gambling and Casinos in the same Ministry.