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By Shadrack Nyakoe
Narobi Members of County Assembly have tabled a motion seeking to regulate betting and gaming in the city.
The bill was tabled for first reading.
Led by deputy majority chief whip Waithera Chege who is championing for the bill, they said something has to be done to curtail the betting hours.
Waithera Chege who is also the Ward Rep for South B wants betting hours to start from 8.00pm to 5.00 in the morning.
“A lot of time is wasted in the casinos and betting shops which has led to most suicide cases after they loose their stakes. The number of casinos should be reduced in the city, a research was conducted and revealed that many countries have strict regulations on gambling which is not the case in Kenya,” said Waithera.
Her counterpart from Waithaka ward Anthony Kiragu said the proposed bill will also see using mobile phones to gamble banned.
“I’ve observed the betting and gaming establishment in the country and I believe something has to be done to save our young people from laxity and laziness. I acknowledge that the sector plays a key role in contribution of revenue for both levels of government and that by passing of this proposal to amend the county betting sector 2021, we seek to regulate this sector and not to totally do away with betting and gaming,” Kiragu stated.
He added that the amendment proposal also seeks ensure that betting and gambling transactions are cashless.
Once the bill passes, advertising within the vicinity of betting and gaming will be banned.
It was also noted that some companies have betting shops in estates and the legislatures emphasized that the trend was dangerous.
