Majority leader Aden Duale has said he has withdrawn the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Bill following recommendations from the national treasury, saying the sector will be compelled to content with higher taxation.
“Members should now know that the Gambling Bill has been withdrawn following advise from the treasury and for tidiness, those new amendments shall be in the Finance Bill,” said Duale.
Duale says the changes were fully backed by the Treasury, which had apparently asked him to withdraw the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Bill which had gone through the Second Reading a week ago.
In the recent past, there have been numerous concerns on the number of people commiting suicide over failed bets, and also a proportional number of families staring at separation over irresponsibility that has been attributed to gambling addiction.
Additionally, a number of college and university students have been forced to call off their studies after using their college fees in betting.