The National assembly has rejected a proposal seeking the reduction of gaming tax from 35% to 15%. The MPs said that the gaming tax on revenue will remain the same as it was before.
The House has further rejected a proposal contained in the Finance Bill, 2018, and adopted by the Committee on Finance & National Planning, seeking the reduction of Gaming Tax from 35% of revenue to 15%. The Gaming tax on revenue remains at 35%.
— National Assembly KE (@NAssemblyKE) August 29, 2018
Kenyans have applauded the legislators for making the brave decision, saying that for the first time, the Parliament has sided with Mwananchi.
Sports betting has been a major problem on the Kenyan youth in the past few years and the government hopes high taxation will help reduce the vice.
Make it 90%,,to discourage this monster it’s kiling saving to the youths @RobertAlai
— Murcuspinto (@murcuspinto) August 29, 2018
MPs on Wanjiku’s side mara ya kwanza.
— Jose Shep (@joshep1248) August 29, 2018
Yeah,that’s nice….
Zuia papo hapo mpaka @SportPesa idedi…
Kamari imeharibu maadili na nidhamu ya ummah— Ali Mukabana (@AliMkabana) August 29, 2018
As gambling, and especially sports betting, becomes pervasive in Kenya—and Africa at large—its adverse effects continue to get acute. Researchers warn about the compulsive nature of gambling, and lack of proper safeguards to thwart underage gambling.
In Kenya, which is home to the third-largest gambling market in Africa behind South Africa and Nigeria, smartphones and mobile digital technology have enabled betting practices. In a GeoPoll survey of youth between the ages of 17-35 in sub-Saharan Africa, Kenya had the highest number of youth who were frequently gambling.
The availability of tips shared via chatting groups like WhatsApp and Telegram have made it easier to access information about betting.