Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 686711,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/686711/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 172,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. ole Ntutu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2535,
        "legal_name": "Patrick Keturet Ole Ntutu",
        "slug": "patrick-keturet-ole-ntutu"
    },
    "content": "The Bill seeks to amend the Betting, Lottery and Gambling Act (Cap.131) to introduce tax to be paid by gaming operators of lotteries. Other countries have grown their economies because of such businesses. It has taken a long time for this country to see that gambling and betting is a huge business in this country. The KRA normally says that they have missed their tax collection targets. This is one of the loopholes that have resulted in them not collecting enough taxes. Therefore, this Bill has come at the right time. We have all seen, even in our small villages, young men and women gambling and betting. It is about time we regulated this business so that the KRA can collect taxes that will go a long way in building our country. Former President Mwai Kibaki, whom I wish a quick recovery in South Africa, used to remind Kenyans that it is our duty to pay taxes. When you hear that some people in this country evade payment of taxes, you feel bad as a leader because it is our right to get revenue from taxation. One of my good friends, Hon. Ababu Namwamba, reminded us that Las Vegas thrives on gambling. It is a city that was built in a desert in the US but if you visit there today you will think it is a market place. It is such a big business. Therefore, anyone who wants to gamble in this country should be licensed. That will enable us to know the amount of money that gets so that it can be taxed according to our law. We need to look at the taxes that people are not paying in this country not just in gambling, but also in other businesses. We should look at this issue because we have been brought here by our people to make a difference. Banks have been charging high interest rates since Independence but now that we are regulating that aspect, they are crying foul. We must do it because we need to help our people. This will go a long way in ending poverty in our country. With those few remarks, I support this Bill and request my colleagues to also support it."
}