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    "id": 1348016,
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    "content": "Hon. Speaker, I beg to move that the Gambling Control Bill (National Assembly Bill No.70 of 2023) be now read a Second Time. This Bill is related to the National Lottery Bill, 2023, which went through its Second Reading in today’s Morning Sitting. This Bill will help us to control and regulate the gambling industry. I do not need to speak much on it because a lot has been said, and Members contributed on matters that touch on this Bill as they contributed to the National Lottery Bill, 2023. I take this opportunity to thank Members of the Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture for taking their time to consider this Bill, including spending the entire weekend holed up in Mlolongo. I have gone through their Report, which has very good recommendations, with the exception of one or two, which I do not agree with. For instance, the Committee proposes to amend Clause 45 to reduce the gambling tax chargeable rate from 15 per cent to 13 per cent. Clause 45 was imposing a gambling tax chargeable rate of 15 per cent on gross gambling revenue. The Committee proposes to reduce it to 13 per cent in their recommendations. There is absolutely no way I would agree to a reduction in tax on gambling. Taxes charged on gambling, just like on smoking and alcohol, are considered “sin taxes”. You cannot reduce “sin taxes” under the pretext of increasing Government revenue. That is why we are introducing new legislation to control gambling. I do not want to call gambling “a menace.” I want to persuade Members of the Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture not to reduce taxes at such a time when we are looking for opportunities to tap into the resources that people invest in gambling through the National Lottery. We should increase the gambling tax chargeable rate and not reduce it from 15 per cent to 13 per cent. I will propose that we increase it to 25 per cent. That will enable us to collect more revenue through the National Lottery, which will be channeled to good causes that include rehabilitation of gambling addicts. We all know gambling addicts even in our families. Gambling is extremely addictive. It is even more addictive than alcohol or smoking, not that I have ever smoked or gambled. However, I used to drink and I know how addictive it can be. I have never smoked, but I have The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor"
}