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{
    "id": 1350212,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1350212/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 556,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Seme, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) James Nyikal",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Betting or gambling is closely associated with drug and substance addiction because of the circumstances in which it occurs. It is also related to crime and does great harm to families. You find families that go bankrupt because the people holding their resources get into betting and gambling. That is all part of the lottery. The only reason you need a system of regulation for it is because it will happen whether you like it or not. It is better you do it under regulated and controlled circumstances. Not only that, you actually give some protection to people who are betting and gambling. There are situations in betting and gambling like in sports, where even the machines used are fixed so that the outcome is obvious and the people trying to get money automatically lose. In that case, it is theft. Therefore, if we have some form of regulation that is desirable, then to that extent, that is something we need a Bill for. This Bill seeks to establish a board. What is most important to me is that that board and its functions will regulate what is happening. As you proposed, put officers in place to go into places where these things happen and find out whether it is being done properly. To ensure the machines are not fixed and chances are not already fixed mathematically, that everybody loses and nobody ever wins. That board is very useful. The Bill also establishes a Fund. The Fund is secondary to me, but it is also useful because through that the Government will raise some revenue. That Fund can be used in development and social support. To that extent, there is need to get in and establish a National Lottery, put the board and the Fund in place, and make sure the Fund is used appropriately. Ensure that all the people that are involved in the board are operating within the law and are protected. In that context, I support with reservations, but we will look at it with a fair amount of detail. We may have to put in a lot of amendments to make sure that we do not set up a system that can be abused. The possibility of abuse is very high in this Bill. I know it is related to the next Bill that is coming that will deal directly with betting, but I support with reservations. We will look at areas where we need to make amendments so that everybody is protected; the people who are using it, the Fund that is created so that it is used well, and the people running it do not abuse it. With that, I thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker."
}