Moratorium on gambling licences holds

THE moratorium imposed on the issuing of gambling licences seven years ago remains intact.

Chris Jansen, who deals with the issuing of the licences in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, told The Namibian that the moratorium could only be lifted by Parliament. He was not sure when this would happen.In the meantime, some business people who intend to set up casinos have started chafing about the duration of the moratorium.In 1996, Government set up a Special Commission to investigate the impact of gambling on the country, including its possible negative social effects.Following the Commission’s findings, a moratorium was imposed on the issuing of the licences.Two years ago, during the debate on the Lotteries Bill in the National Assembly, some politicians said gambling was politically irresponsible as it offered a way for Namibians to impoverish themselves even further.Some claimed the Bill would encourage people to live a dishonest life and shot it down as an “… example of what is called a regressive tax system; it favours the rich and disadvantages the poor… in the end, you are recycling poverty”.He was not sure when this would happen.In the meantime, some business people who intend to set up casinos have started chafing about the duration of the moratorium.In 1996, Government set up a Special Commission to investigate the impact of gambling on the country, including its possible negative social effects.Following the Commission’s findings, a moratorium was imposed on the issuing of the licences.Two years ago, during the debate on the Lotteries Bill in the National Assembly, some politicians said gambling was politically irresponsible as it offered a way for Namibians to impoverish themselves even further.Some claimed the Bill would encourage people to live a dishonest life and shot it down as an “… example of what is called a regressive tax system; it favours the rich and disadvantages the poor… in the end, you are recycling poverty”.