Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 739112,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/739112/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 702,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Ababu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 108,
        "legal_name": "Ababu Tawfiq Pius Namwamba",
        "slug": "ababu-namwamba"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I have a very keen interest in this matter. First of all, I support the recommittal of the clauses. I believe it is a very good move because it provides opportunity for us to reflect on this matter a little bit more deeply and perhaps conclude the consultations in a more substantive manner. I had the privilege of moving in this House, in January 2013, the Sports Bill, then as the Minister responsible for Youth and Sports. I moved the Sports Bill that opened the door for sports betting. At that time, the motivation was to provide a framework that would allow this country to harness our passion, interest of a talent in sports and allow the sports betting industry to function in an orderly, regulated and controlled manner. Therefore, I am a big supporter of sports betting. However, I also believe that it is one of the fastest growing industries in Kenya today and, therefore, it requires regulation. If well regulated, it can indeed achieve the objective that motivates the Sports Act to open the door for sports betting. My honourable colleagues here would be advised to note that indeed this is a matter that has received constitutional backing. Betting is recognised in the Constitution that provides a framework on how it can be regulated or managed. What we need is regulation. I urge this House that we should pay very keen attention to the need to have a proper regulatory regime to manage sports betting. By saying so, I would urge against demonising this industry. There has been a tendency to demonise this industry. Just like any other industry, it has got its challenges that would be very well addressed through proper regulation. However, over-taxation would certainly not be the way to go in terms of regulation. It is important for the Government to collect revenue but there is no need to kill the goose in pursuit of more eggs because once the goose is dead there would be no more eggs – not even a rumour of one. The attempt to tax the industry at a rate of 50 per cent of gross revenue is basically sounding a death knell for the industry. So, even as we consult in preparation for dealing with the clauses that are being recommitted, let us agree. I hope that the National Treasury will be keen on this one; you will have nothing to collect if the industry dies. You collected about Kshs5 billion from January when the new taxation regime was put in place at 7.5. If you kill the goose, there will be no egg to collect. Let us be reasonable. Let us set a taxation regime that allows the industry to grow and thrive while allowing the Government to also collect taxes. I support but I would like to urge the National Treasury to be reasonable on this matter. There is absolutely no reason to kill the goose in pursuit of more eggs because then there would be no eggs to collect. Hon. Deputy Speaker, I support the Motion for recommittal."
}