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Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has expressed the government’s readiness to entertain proposals from sports stakeholders regarding the relocation of the Betting Control Board from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Sports, aiming to bolster the sports sector’s benefits.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while responding to a query from Shabani Hamisi Taletale, the Member of Parliament for Morogoro South East. Taletale sought clarification on why the government had not considered transferring sports betting oversight from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Sports, given its significant contribution of 5 percent to the sports sector under the Ministry of Finance’s supervision.
In his response, the Prime Minister emphasized, “The Board currently falls under the purview of the Ministry of Finance, with revenue collection handled by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), similar to other tax collections. Subsequently, the Sports Council, housed within the Ministry of Culture, Arts, and Sports, receives five percent of the revenue generated from betting activities. Therefore, the matter of sports development remains unchanged, and assigning oversight to TRA aims to plug revenue leakage.”
“If sports stakeholders deem it necessary to advise the government, we welcome their input, and through our consultations, we will amend regulations to allocate resources accordingly if there is merit for sports development,” he added.
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The proposal to relocate the Betting Control Board to the Ministry of Sports has sparked discussions among sports enthusiasts and policymakers. Advocates argue that placing the board under the Ministry of Sports could enhance coordination and alignment of efforts to support sports development nationwide.
Furthermore, such a move could streamline regulatory oversight, ensuring that revenues generated from betting activities are earmarked for sports development initiatives. Involving the Ministry of Sports could lead to targeted investments in sports infrastructure, training programs, and grassroots sports development initiatives.
However, the decision to transfer the Betting Control Board requires careful consideration of legal, financial, and administrative implications. It necessitates consultations with various stakeholders and thorough analysis to ensure a smooth transition and effective policy implementation.
As the government remains receptive to feedback from sports stakeholders, ongoing discussions will explore the potential benefits and challenges of relocating the Betting Control Board to the Ministry of Sports. Ultimately, the objective is to enhance sports development efforts and ensure that the sports sector makes a meaningful contribution to national development objectives.
