THE National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) is a public authority and only remits betting tax to the Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) in line with the Gaming Control Act 2007.
This is according to a statement from the NGCB Chief Executive Officer Imelda Agon.
Agon clarified this following concerns raised by Hela Governor Philip Undialu in Parliament on October 10, stating “NGCB should pay dividends to the State”.
He raised the concern following NGCB’s announcement of its progressive revenue performance of K456 million collected from January to September 2023.
“The Gaming Board has remitted 55% of the total revenue to the Government through IRC and this is in accordance with the profit-sharing arrangement in the Act,” Agon said.
“Over the past nine months, NGCB remitted K250 million to the Government as Gaming Machine Tax (GMT).”
Meanwhile, she said NGCB is working on amending its Act in consultation with Minister Manasseh Makiba to include dividends in its chattel.
Argon said Chairman Clemence Kanau and the board have approved the Gaming Control Bill 2023.
“It has taken the NGCB six years to review and amend the Act to ensure laws are consistent with the industry’s best practice,” she said.
“The bill includes dividends, proper regulation of other gaming such as casino, online gaming, sports betting, lottery and other games.”
She said the Gaming Control Bill 2023 is with the Minister for review before being tendered to Parliament.
