Lotteries and Gaming Act to be amended
By Yvonne Mutambwa
In a move aimed at improving revenue collection from the Gaming Industry, The Lotteries and Gaming Act is set to be amended followng presentations by the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Honourable Kazembe Kazembe.
Speaking at a post cabinet media brief in Harare on Tuesday, Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said that, “The nation is being informed that the Lotteries and Gaming Board (LGB) is operating under an Act that came into force in 1998,”
She said that the Act amended twice in 2001 and 2002, has become inadequate in addressing evolving trends within the gambling space, consistent with the global growth of online gambling. Essential amendments to the Act include provisions allowing online gaming and compelling operators to incorporate technology compatible with LGB systems for monitoring and control purposes.
Government is losing substantial amounts of revenue through numerous leakages and legislative inadequacies that need to be plugged. The envisaged amendment of the Act will undoubtedly promote easy supervision and monitoring of gaming activities, and mitigate money laundering as well as enhance revenue streams.
There is need to adapt to the ever-changing environment through deploying appropriate technologies. Government cannot ascertain the actual levies due to it if it relies on statements provided by the operators.
“The nation is being informed that the Lotteries and Gaming Board has since received presentations from companies on technologies that will enhance Government revenue collection within the Gaming Industry,” said Minister Monica Mutsvangwa.
The LGB will continue engaging these companies in order to ensure that appropriate technologies are adopted for use in the country.
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