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{
    "id": 1348124,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1348124/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 258,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mosop, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Abraham Kirwa",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you for this opportunity to contribute to this Bill on gambling. I support the Committee that has suggested that we increase and put strict regulations on gambling in Kenya. However, I do not support any form of gambling—either online, offline or whatever form of gambling in this country. Gambling has caused a lot of havoc and poverty in most homes. I have experienced homes, families and friends demolished and impoverished by gambling. It is extremely dangerous. It has made people homeless. It has made people stressed. It has destroyed society. As such, I do not support it. Although we are talking of regulations to tighten it, no form of gambling can help any country. If you look at countries like China and Japan where gambling is illegal, it has helped the country and society to continue growing and social life to get better. In countries like Australia and Las Vegas in America where I have had a chance to visit, many people are stressed and suffering because of gambling. As such, Kenya is leading Africa in gambling at 89 per cent. Nigeria is at 78 per cent. South Africa is at 69 per cent. If we continue with this trend, most people are going to suffer. As much as we are putting regulations to increase the taxes and doing things to reduce gambling, it would be for the benefit of this country if there was legislation or any way to ban it. As much as I support the Committee’s suggestion, I am at the same time looking at its impact. Many young people and men involved in gambling have lost many resources. If you look at the people in the world, the worst gambler lost US$1 billion of his resources and money in Australia. You cannot stop gambling once it becomes addictive. You will continue selling your property and everything that you have to sustain and support the gambling addiction that you have contracted. As my brother mentioned, gambling is like alcohol. Once it gets into your mind, you start thinking that you are going to win. In the process, you are losing everything that you have. Gambling is never good for any nation. Gambling is never good for any person. It is never good for any family. I do not support any form of gambling. I do not support any country that continues to regularise and rationalise gambling. This makes sure that future generations like our youth are going to end in gambling. They will end up losing their property. They become lazy. There is nothing free in this world. Most gambling is nowadays done on smartphones. You find young people in villages hooked to phones because they are gambling. 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"
}