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Tanzania earns $11 million from the ballooning gaming industry

Tanzania earns $11 million from the ballooning gaming industry

Tanzania continues to enjoy the robust growth of the gaming industry in the recent past with the government having now pocketed $11 million in the 2015/2016 fiscal year compared to $7 billion the previous year.

According to The Gaming Board of Tanzania (GBT) Director General Mr Abbas Tarimba the increased government tax is an indication of increased efficiency in the gaming activities.

“More people are taking part and benefitting from the gaming activities directly and indirectly thus contributing significantly to efforts of alleviating poverty in the society,” he said, noting that the increased participation is sign that many people are winning the games.

“A significant number of people have been employed directly and thousands of spin-off employment opportunities will be created at retail outlets,” Similarly, Mr Tarimba said also during the period under review, revenues for the board has increased to over $million compared to $3million generated in the previous year.

The application of new technology has opened room for more people particularly from the rural areas to participate in the lottery.

The e-gaming has helped in coping with the global technological changes thus hooking many people into gaming activities. He said furthermore, that economic impact is being felt due to the nature of the industry.

Gaming industry impacts more on retail trade as experienced in other countries. Many people tend to visit the lottery locations which increase demands of goods and services. Currently gaming industry contributes over 3 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which the board hopes to see it increasing after the national lottery rolls.

To ensure compliance to the gaming law and regulations, the board conducts inspections continuously to ascertain full compliance of the pertinent law.

Inspections carried out on suitability of gaming premises, safety requirements, organization structure and gaming employees licenses. Other areas of inspection include compliance with gaming devices minimum requirements and casino internal control procedures.

The inspections are important in order to uproot the use of illegal slot machines that has been denying the country proper income. “If every one in the industry will be committed to follow gaming rules and regulations, there will also be positive impact to the national income,” he noted.

www.gamingboard.go.tz

 

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