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{
    "id": 964415,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/964415/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 213,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kitui Central, WDM-K",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Makali Mulu",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1955,
        "legal_name": "Benson Makali Mulu",
        "slug": "benson-makali-mulu"
    },
    "content": " Thank you Hon. Speaker for giving me this chance to also support this important Bill. The Gaming Bill is a Bill which is coming quite late. It should have been there a long time ago. It is very important because it is going to provide the legal framework required for this important sector. This sector is now mainstreamed in almost all parts of this country. Looking at the Bill, it has quite some interesting aspects and clauses. It is going to help this important sector. The first issue in this Bill is the setting up of what they are calling the Gaming Authority which to me, together with the Gaming Appeals Tribunal, does provide what I would call institutional set-up for purposes of controlling this important sector. It is very clear who will be sitting in the Gaming Authority and the qualifications required of board members. Looking at the composition of the board, it is clear that we are going to have the level of competence expected of such a board so that they are able to control this important thing in this country. Gaming in this country is being practiced all over. To some extent, even though it has benefits in terms of generating income for the country, it also has the bad side of it. Just to protect Kenyans, this House has even gone ahead to increase the taxation rate. I remember it was effected the other day. People are now paying 20 per cent of tax. That implies, as Kenyans and leaders in this country, we see this sector as one which, if not controlled or regulated, could cause a lot of social harm to this country. So, when I see this Bill and the Gaming Authority being in place and also having a Gaming Appeals Tribunal where those who operate this sector, if they feel like their interests are not being address, can appeal, that is very important. The other important thing in this Bill is licensing those who are participating in gaming. What is very important is that now, for one to be licensed, you will also be required to identify a premise where you will be operating from. That is very important because any time we go to the rural setting and we are going in our constituencies, you will realise that even the smallest bars in towns have some gaming machines. This exposes our children and those who already are in primary schools to start participating in gaming. If you look at what is happening, the issue of having licenced premises will, to some extent, control who participates in this sector, so that we do not have every Tom, Dick and Harry participating. That will help this country because we will generate money through licence fees…"
}