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{
    "id": 1231093,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1231093/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 221,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Westlands, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Tim Wanyonyi",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I represent an urban constituency and the betting issue is really affecting our society. These days, they have created small machines, the size of an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), placed in local villages. Boys and girls sneak in to play using those machines. There is no age limit. So, anyone can play. We must save this generation from betting. If not regulated, betting is going to create a big problem in this society. We are seeing people who think that hard work is not necessary, and that they can gamble and win millions of shillings. This is the biggest monster consuming our young people. We must find a way to regulate it so that only licensed betting companies can do the business. We should put in place strict regulations as to the age of the people who can participate and the timing of how they do it. Betting has now gone into areas popular with people, especially sports areas. For example, people do not watch football because they love it. They watch it because they are gambling. They are trying to do something about which team is going to win. This trend is going on. I have seen many people who know no player in a team, but are betting on that team. The issue of betting was in this House in the last Parliament and we debated it. There was the proposal of raising taxes on it to discourage the youth, but I do not think that is the issue. Even if we raise taxes, betting companies mint a lot of money. You remember in the 1980s when we hosted the All African Games, there was an American conman who came and pretended that he was going to bring Michael Jackson and others to perform before the start of the games. He collected millions of shillings and disappeared into thin air. President Moi had to intervene and bring Franco from the DRC to save the situation. We have seen foreigners who come here and pitch tent to gamble, I do not know who licenses them, and use our media. They drive the business because they pay for adverts in the media. They entice people using money. Children have even used school fees to gamble. Even adults are affected. A grown-up man takes a loan to gamble and ends up losing a family property. This"
}