Gambling News by Gambling Headquarters

FUNDS from gambling would be channeled to tourism as one way of boosting infrastructure in the sector, an official from Malawi Gaming Board (MGB) has said. But government has advised operators in the tourism sector to desist from externalising foreign currency generated from the industry. The current set up empowers the board to collect 7.5 per cent of gambling revenue from operators part of which would now be channeled to tourism. Speaking when Deputy Minister of Information and Tourism John Bande toured the board's secretariat, MGB Chief Executive Officer Master Maliro said tourism was a sector likely to push the country out of economic doldrums. He said most one of gambling spots, Colony Casino in Blantyre was planning to construct a hotel including a cultural heritage centre Lilongwe and Blantyre. "Pirates Casino in Lilongwe committed itself to construct a 100 bed hotel and they have been allocated land, while Colony intends to build a cultural heritage centre right here in Blantyre," Maliro said. He said the board would also face lift tourism information offices in Blantyre and at Kamuzu International airport and Chileka estimated to cost K1.8 million. The deputy minister commended the board for mobilising resources to boost the sector, but urged the watchdog to ensure operators do not abuse foreign currency. "It is good that you are working according to plan, but you should make sure operators who do business using foreign currency handle it properly since it is prone to abuse," Bande said. As of November 2006, the board had bagged K75 million in gaming levies and government got K71 million from import duties on gaming machines.