It’s that time of year again—festive lights are up, shops are buzzing, and everyone is hoping for a little extra luck. Maybe a new car. Maybe a shopping hamper. Or just enough cash to make the holidays sparkle. Businesses know this and are more than ready to take advantage of our holiday hopes.
As consumers, we understand that our relationship with businesses should be one of mutual benefit. We give our money, and in return, we expect value—whether it’s a product, a service, or a fair chance at winning a prize. But fairness doesn’t always factor into these “competitions of luck.”
The Legal Loophole You Didn’t Know About
Before Independence, Namibia had laws to regulate lotteries, raffles, and other chance-based games. But when gambling was legalised in the post-independence era, attention shifted primarily to casinos and gambling houses. Sadly, other “games of luck”—like raffles, scratch cards, and SMS competitions—were left in a legal grey area.
That loophole has opened the door for shady operators to exploit unsuspecting consumers. Here’s how:
Fake raffles: Imagine two people organising a raffle with a car as the grand prize. They sell tickets worth N$400,000, buy a car worth N$200,000, and rig the draw so one of them “wins” the car. The rest of us? We were just funding their scam.
Scratch cards with zero winners: What if the scratch cards you buy have no winning combination at all? Not by chance—but by design.
SMS competitions: Promoters promise that the first person to send an SMS will win. But they keep the lines open and charging long after the prize has already been claimed. Sound fair? It’s not.
You’d think there would be a law against this sort of thing, right? Unfortunately, there isn’t. While these practices may be unethical, they are not illegal under the current legislation.
What Needs to Change?
The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has been tasked with updating Namibia’s gambling laws, and consultations with stakeholders are underway. But progress has been slow—and in the meantime, consumers continue to be exploited.
As a citizen, you deserve protection from dishonest business practices. We need updated legislation that closes these loopholes and ensures that competitions—whether they’re based on luck or skill—are conducted transparently and fairly.
Before You Play, Think Twice
Next time you’re tempted by a flashy prize or a “once-in-a-lifetime” chance to win big, ask yourself:
Do I really have a fair chance?
Is this competition regulated?
Would I still participate if I knew how the prize is awarded?
Your hard-earned money deserves more than a promise. It deserves protection.
