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Government has announced plans to consolidate six separate pieces of legislation into a single Act and establish the Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Authority to strengthen oversight and streamline licensing.
Senior Economist at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning’s Department of Economic Development, Thomson Mwewa, said the current laws governing gaming were outdated and fail to address modern trends such as online betting.
He made the remarks in Mansa on Monday during a courtesy call on Luapula Province Permanent Secretary, Prudence Kangwa, ahead of stakeholder consultations on the draft Lotteries and Gaming Bill.
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“The nationwide consultations aim to ensure that the new bill reflects the views and aspirations of the Zambian people,” Mwewa stated.
Kangwa called for stronger regulation of gaming and online betting to protect communities from rising social and economic risks. She expressed concern about the rapid spread of gaming outlets, some operating without proper oversight.
“Unregulated gaming has led to increasing cases of civil servants falling into debt, with some abandoning their workstations after losing money through betting,” Kangwa said.
She also highlighted reports of underage children accessing gaming facilities and machines being placed “anywhere and everywhere” without regard for community safety.
“We need to regulate these businesses properly. People must be protected from exploitation, and the nation must benefit,” Kangwa added.
Stakeholder engagements in Luapula will include civil society, local authorities, operators, and community representatives.
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